Reducing Protected Species Bycatch Improving Fishing Practices Innovative Technologies Reducing Post-Release Mortality FY2013 project highlights. NOAA Technical Report 2014.
Reducing Protected Species Bycatch Improving Fishing Practices Innovative Technologies Reducing Post-Release Mortality FY2013 project highlights [pdf]Paper  abstract   bibtex   
In support of our mission to sustainably manage the nation's fisheries, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been investing in technological and engineering solutions to reduce bycatch. Bycatch occurs when fishing operations discard fish or interact with marine mammals, seabirds, or sea turtles. Reducing bycatch in fisheries can have significant positive biological, economic, and social impacts. Reducing bycatch of protected species can improve the recovery of marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds and fish. In 2012 NOAA Fisheries began funding external partners from state governments, academia, and the fishing industry. T he mission of the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) is to develop technological solutions and change fishing practices to minimize bycatch and reduce post-release injury and mortality of non-target species in our nation's fisheries. BREP projects strengthen cooperation and collaboration between NOAA Fisheries and the fishing industry by engaging partners in critical research projects and prioritizing research projects that have a strong management application. This report highlights outcomes and management applications of projects funded with $2.39 million in FY2013. They represent four priority areas: Highlights from FY2013 • In the Northeast, researchers used an an enhanced communication network and real-time maps to allow longfin squid fishermen to avoid butterfish "hot spots" and reduce bycatch by 54 percent. • Researchers on the West Coast have found that using LED lights can reduce bycatch of the endangered eulachon in the ocean shrimp trawl fishery by up to 91 percent. • In the mid-Atlantic, scientists developed a modified gillnet that reduced sturgeon interactions by more than 60 percent in Virginia and North Carolina. The report also identifies projects funded in FY 2014, although results from these projects will not be available until next year.

Downloads: 0