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

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 commercial otter trawl vessels in March of 2011 and April of 2012. Dimensions of the “escape windows” differed between the projects based on the varying project objectives and target species. Results indicated that the window sizes tested to reduce the catch of sub-legal American plaice were ineffective, and the use of the groundgear in conjunction with a large mesh panel resulted in a significant loss of Atlantic cod. Modified escape windows without a large mesh panel showed a reduction in the catch of the flatfish and juvenile Atlantic cod while maintaining catch rates of legal sized cod. Continued research is warranted to refine groundgear modifications for effective bycatch reduction