GRANT
NUMBER:
NA46FD0417
NMFS NUMBER:
93-NWR-014
REPORT
TITLE: Evaluation
of Fish Excluder Technology to Reduce Finfish Bycatch
in the Ocean Shrimp Trawl Fishery
AUTHOR:
Hannah,
Robert W.; Jones, Stephen A. and Hoover, Vicki J.
PUBLISH
DATE:
April 1, 1996
AVAILABLE
FROM: National
Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand
Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115.
PHONE: (206) 526-6117
ABSTRACT
The project
evaluated the effectiveness of four types of fish excluders
(3-,4-, and 8-inch mesh and the Nordmore Grate) in the
ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) trawl fishery.
Assessment techniques included underwater video equipment
and comparative fishing experiments employing side by
side comparisons on double rigged shrimp vessels. All
four fish excluders worked well in avoiding the catch
of large fish, with the Nordmore Grate and 3-inch mesh
excluding 100 percent of adult hake. All experimental
devices excluded small fish but at a lesser rate.
Shrimp loss for the Nordmore Grate and 3-inch soft panel
gear ranged from 0-10 percent, while the other devices
experienced loss rates of 15-31 percent. Overall,
all of the soft panel fish excluders provided to be effective
in reducing bycatch; however, shrimp loss rates must be
minimized to encourage greater usage by the fleet. A videotape
summarizing project activities and results is available.
