Effectiveness of Selective Flatfish Trawls in the 2005 U.S. West Coast Groundfish Trawl Fishery, Information Report 2007-05

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Hannah, Robert W., Nancy Gove, and Steven J. Parker

Publish Date: 2007

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Beginning in 2005, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) required the use of selective flatfish trawls for all groundfish trawling on the U.S. west coast north of 40° 10' N latitude shoreward of the rockfish conservation area (RCA) (PFMC 2006). This requirement was enacted in an effort to maintain nearshore flatfish trawl fisheries while reducing the bycatch of depleted stocks of canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger). Previous management actions to protect canary rockfish had greatly expanded the closed RCA, moving the eastern boundary shoreward. This change, while decreasing canary rockfish catch rates, also severely limited access to productive flatfish stocks (PFMC 2006). Research trials and fishery-scale tests of selective flatfish trawls showed a consistent 70-80% reduction in canary rockfish catch rates, providing a tool to allow flatfish trawling in traditional areas while reducing canary rockfish bycatch from levels projected for a fishery based on conventional trawls (King et al. 2004, Parker et al. 2004).

Purpose:

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: West Coast

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source:

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown