A METHOD TO REDUCE WINTER FLOUNDER RETENTION THROUGH THE USE OF AVOIDANCE GEAR ADAPTATIONS IN THE SMALL MESH TRAWL FISHERY WITHIN THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND/MID-ATLANTIC WINTER FLOUNDER STOCK AREA
2010
Avoidance of winter flounder during fishing activities is imperative at this time in order to reduce fishing mortality and assist rebuilding efforts. In Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), implemented May 1, 2010 retention of winter flounder is prohibited throughout the SNE/MA winter flounder stock area. This area of prohibition extends from Massachusetts to North Carolina and affects many fisheries. The no-retention provision will likely increase winter flounder discard in the designated area. For this reason it is imperative to design gear adaptations to avoid catching winter flounder, while minimizing the economic impacts on the Loligo squid fishery.
Fishing took place in two different areas defined by analysis of NMFS Northeast Observer Program data from 2002-2008. These two areas delineate the locations of highest observed winter flounder discards in small mesh bottom trawl fisheries from May through Sept. 2002-2008. These areas can generally be defined as: 1- An area along the south shore of Long Island, NY from Smith Point to Bridgehampton and ranging from 12 fathoms to 25 fathoms; 2- An area within Block Island Sound approximately bordered by Block Island, the Rhode Island coastal area and Montauk in depths ranging from 5 fathoms to 25 fathoms.
A single vessel was used in this study to conduct replicate tows comparing a control trawl to an Avoidance Gear Adaptation (AGA)
altered trawl (experimental trawl). Replicate tows are defined to mean a comparison of sequentially exact tows using control and experimental gear. The F/V Rianda S was chartered to conduct all sea sampling trips. The vessel operated with two identical trawls (one modified with the avoidance gear adaptation). The avoidance gear adaptation used for this project was a large mesh belly panel. A control trawl was compared with the experimental trawl on a sequentially similar course for each tow. Comparisons of the control and experimental net were based on differences in winter flounder and Loligo retention and total catch. Lower priority was retention of other species (e.g. whiting). One hour tow durations were used during this study to maximize the number of tows conducted per trip and still remain within the range of commercial tow durations (1-3 hours). The experimental sampling program consisted of multiple single day fishing trips. We conducted a total of 16 trips for the project. We had a total of 90 tows with 45 tows for the control and experimental nets. The study vessel departed from Montauk, NY and Hampton Bays, NY (Shinnecock) depending on reported concentrations of squid and flounder.
altered trawl (experimental trawl). Replicate tows are defined to mean a comparison of sequentially exact tows using control and experimental gear. The F/V Rianda S was chartered to conduct all sea sampling trips. The vessel operated with two identical trawls (one modified with the avoidance gear adaptation). The avoidance gear adaptation used for this project was a large mesh belly panel. A control trawl was compared with the experimental trawl on a sequentially similar course for each tow. Comparisons of the control and experimental net were based on differences in winter flounder and Loligo retention and total catch. Lower priority was retention of other species (e.g. whiting). One hour tow durations were used during this study to maximize the number of tows conducted per trip and still remain within the range of commercial tow durations (1-3 hours). The experimental sampling program consisted of multiple single day fishing trips. We conducted a total of 16 trips for the project. We had a total of 90 tows with 45 tows for the control and experimental nets. The study vessel departed from Montauk, NY and Hampton Bays, NY (Shinnecock) depending on reported concentrations of squid and flounder.Video was collected on 4 research trips during this project. A close eye will reveal flounder and skate escapement through the large mesh panel.
Stack161 from Cornell Extension Marine Program on Vimeo.