Can Groundgear Modifications Minimize Bycatch of Flatfish in the New England Trawl Fishery? ...

• Main Authors: Roman, Sally, Cadrin, Steve, He, Pingguo
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: ASC 2012 - Theme session C 2024
• Subjects: Fisheries and aquaculture; atlantic cod; Gadus morhua; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.24973845.v1; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/conference_contribution/Can_Groundgear_Modifications_Minimize_Bycatch_of_Flatfish_in_the_New_England_Trawl_Fishery_/24973845/1

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.The groundfish fishery in the New England region in the Northwest Atlantic has transitioned to a catch-share management system with annual catch limits for regulated groundfish. Within this management scheme, the ability to reduce bycatch of sub-legal and non-retention flatfish could allow for optimization of catch allocations while promoting sustainable fishing practices. A modified groundgear with “escape windows” was tested during two separate projects to examine if the catch of American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) could be reduced. The objective of the first project was to reduce the catch of sub-legal American plaice while maintaining commercial catches of legal plaice, while that of the second project was to minimize the catch of winter flounder, a non-retention stock, while retaining Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Comparative fishing sea trials were conducted onboard ...