Efficiency And Species Selectivity Of Fabricated Baits Used In Alaska Demersal Longline Fisheries

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A species-selective fabricated bait was developed and tested for the Alaska demersal longline fishery targeting sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). Trials took place on commercial longline vessels near Seward, Alaska during July and September, 1999. The fabricated bait fished as well or better than herring (control bait) for sablefish and Pacific halibut, while reducing bycatch of spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias), skate (Raja spp.), arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) by more than 10x. Hook timers demonstrated that this novel bait released attractants over a longer period of time than herring. This project was a collaborative effort among numerous individuals from Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Alaska SeaLife Center, Center for Applied Regional Studies, MARCO Marine, Seattle, and Wildlife Conservation Society. The research was funded by Alaska Science and Technology Foundation.