This study seeks to identify potential methods for protecting hook captured fish from whale depredation and to develop and field-test several simple low-cost catch-protection designs that can be…

This cooperative agreement award of $299,100 from the Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seeks to identify methods for protecting fish catches from whale depredation and develop low-cost protective designs that can be deployed using current longline fishing techniques. The International Pacific Halibut Commission will conduct a workshop with industry stakeholders to identify the top two or three catch protection designs. Functional prototypes of the selected designs will then be field tested in longline sea trials targeting flatfish. If successful, the developed depredation mitigation strategies could save the fishing industry money and reduce wastage by assuring catch records accurately capture removals. This award advances work under the NOAA Unallied Science Program (CFDA 11.472), which provides grants and cooperative agreements for biological, socio-economic and physical science research contributing to optimal management of U.S. fishery and protected resources and their environment.

This study seeks to identify potential methods for protecting hook captured fish from whale depredation and to develop and field-test several simple low-cost catch-protection designs that can be deployed effectively using current longline fishing techniques. Proposed work entails conducting a workshop with industry (affected fishers, gear researchers, scientists) to identify methods to protect fishery catches from depredation. The top two or three catch protection design outcomes from the workshop will be incorporated into functional prototypes and field tested in longline sea trials targeting flatfish. This project will further define and develop previously identified high priority work that can break the reward cycle of depredation behavior and thereby suppress its prevalence. IT will identify strategies to protect already captured fish in cost effective manners that are compatible with currently employed hook and line fishing practices. Ease of deployment and cost effectiveness will be critical to adoption by fishing fleets to mitigate this developing challenge. Successful development of depredation mitigation strategies will save the industry money, reduce wastage in the fishery, and assure managers that catch records are accurately capturing removals.