Most bycatch reduction techniques so far implemented around the world have been in commercial fisheries within developed countries, which have relatively strong regulatory and enforcement capacity, and that generally can absorb increased expenses or reduced revenue from regulated modifications to fishing methods.
Most bycatch reduction techniques so far implemented around the world have been in commercial fisheries within developed countries, which have relatively strong regulatory and enforcement capacity, and that generally can absorb increased expenses or reduced revenue from regulated modifications to fishing methods.
Fishing is an important economic mainstay of New England, and part of its cultural heritage. North Atlantic right whales are a critical natural component of the region’s coastal waters. Where the two meet entanglements happen, mainly as whales become wrapped in buoy ropes used to locate and haul pots resting on the seafloor.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were mounted on the lower part of a Nordmore grid to determine if they would encourage fish to move up towards the escape outlet prior to contacting the grid. Trials were conducted to assess the size selective properties of a 19 mm bar spaced Nordmore grid with and without LEDs. The target in the fishery is deep water shrimp (Pandalus borealis). Small fish are bycatch, with 51-100% passing through the Nordmore grid.
download the new project handout;
This project includes training in social science techniques for characterizing the fishing industry within three target countries: Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. The project was designed to support NMFS/OIA efforts to reduce marine mammal bycatch in international fisheries, especially those that export fish and fish products to the United States.
This workshop presents information to fishery representatives in Latin America that will help them enter the certification process. For those that may have an issue with bycatch, the Global Bycatch Exchange can be a useful resource that presents information and potential solutions. This workshop gives an opportunity for fishery representatives to give feedback on what will make this tool more useful and user-friendly.
New funding opportunity to support testing of bycatch reduction devices and techniques in developing country fisheries.
The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, in collaboration with the Global Bycatch Exchange and the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support capacity building in developing countries for reducing marine mammal bycatch. More information
The potential benefits of permanent magnets on ocean fish traps targeting snapper (Pagrus auratus) and their abiliy to reduce elasmobranch bycatch. The study deployed over 1000 traps in a fishery-dependent survey in New South Whales, Australia. The incorporation of magnets into fish traps significantly reduced incidences of elasmobranch bycatch by more than a thrid. At the same time, the target species catch rate was significantly increased. Magnets can therefore be used as an effective bycatch reduction device to reduce interactions with elasmobranchs.
Fishery data collected from the Reunion Island and Sechelles pelagic longline fisheries (targeting swordfish and tuna) between 2004 and 2015 was used to propose depredation indicators and to assess depredation levels in these fisheries. The interaction rate (depredation) was significantly higher for sharks compared to toothed whales in both fisheries. However, there was a higher depredation per unit effort from toothed whales compared to sharks indicating the impact was more significant. The gross depredation rate in the Seychelles fishery was 18.3%.