Scallop dredge with turtle chainscamera systems used to attain gear and behavioral informationCollecting pound net dataDivers preparing to video fishing gear

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Protected Species Gear Research

The goal of gear research at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole is to develop solutions for reducing protected species bycatch through a cooperative effort with industry, non-government organizations, NOAA managers, and others. We believe in a systematic approach to gear work outlined in the NEFSC Gear Research Flowchart.  This flowchart outlines a research approach that has proven successful in effectively devising gear modifications to mitigate the bycatch of protected species as well as those of finfish species.

On-going projects

Protected Species Gear Research Reports
click on report title to download a full
PDF of the report (not all reports are downloadable)

Blue dot

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  • Evaluation of the catch retention in the summer flounder fishery. A comparison of a net with a currently mandated TED versus a net without a TED.

Status: Field work has been completed and a final summary report has been submitted and is available.

  • Study on mitigating harbor porpoise bycatch using the Barium sulfate gillnets and gillnets with thicker twine.

Status: RFP is posted. Solicitation announcement posted at www.fbo.gov. No. EA133F-08-RQ-0705.

  • Study on the effectiveness of a modified dredge to guide turtle carcasses over the dredge frame.

Status: Contract has been awarded to Coonamessett Farm for this project.

  • Study on catch retention using a large TED opening in the summer flounder trawl fishery.

Status: RFP is posted. Solicitation announcement posted at www.fbo.gov. No. EA133F-08-RQ-0877.

  • Study on catch retention  in the scallop trawl fishery using a TED.

Status: RFP has closed for the solicitation. An award will be made after the solicitations are reviewed.

Turtle being evaluated

Links
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Northeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division

Southeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division

Southwest Regional Office, Protected Resources Division

Northwest Regional Office, Protected Resources Division

Alaska Regional Office, Protected Resources Division

Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division

NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology

NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources

NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries

2008

  1. DeAlteris J, Silva R. 2008. Performance in 2004 and 2005 of an alternative leader design on the bycatch of sea turtles and the catch of finfish in Chesapeake Bay pound nets, offshore Kiptopeake, VA. [Final report; 47 p.] NOAA Contract No. EA1330-04-RQ-0076 and EA133F-05-RQ-1321.

2007

  1. Lawson D, DeAlteris J, Parkins C. 2007. An evaluation of the catch efficiency of the NMFS certified, standard Turtle Excluder Device (TED) required in the Mid-Atlantic summer flounder fishery. [Summary report; 26 p + appendix] NOAA Contract No. EA133F-05-SE-6561. NOTE: Appendix has several odd-sized pages with very small type; use Acrobat's magnification tool (400-600%).
  2. DeAlteris J. 2007. Workshop to discuss bycatch reduction technologies to reduce sea turtle bycatch in Southern New England and mid-Atlantic inshore trawl fisheries. [Summary report; 8 p] NOAA Contract No. EA133F-05-SE6561
  3. NEFSC Reference Document: Evaluation of a Modified Scallop Dredge’s Ability to Reduce the Likelihood of Damage to Loggerhead Sea Turtle Carcasses, by HO Milliken, L Belskis, W DuPaul, J Gearhart, H Haas, J Mitchell, R Smolowitz, W Teas. April 2007

2006

  1. American Underwater Search and Survey, Ltd. 2006.  Sonar survey of crab and whelk pot gear in the lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia:  May-June 2006.  [Final report; 24 p.] NOAA Contract No. EN133F-05-SE-5190.
  2. DeAlteris Associates Inc. 2006.  Sea turtle-pot fishery interaction survey:  Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters of Virginia.  [Final report; 28 p.] NOAA Contract No. EN133F-05-SE-6758.
  3. Lawson DD, DeAlteris JT. 2006. Evaluation of a turtle excluder device (TED) in the scallop trawl fishery of the mid-Atlantic. [Final report; 145 p] NOAA Contract No. EA133F-05-SE6561
  4. Smolowitz R, Weeks M. 2006. Turtle-scallop dredge interaction study: 2005 field season. [Final report; 44 p] NOAA Contract No. EA133F-05-SE4860

2005

  1. Smolowitz, R. 2005. Sea turtle - scallop dredge interactions. [Videotape accompanying final report; 656 MB.] NOAA Contract No. EA133F04SE0968.
  2. Smolowitz, R.; Harnish, C.; Rudders, D. 2005. Turtle - scallop dredge interaction study. [Final report; 83 p.] NOAA Contract No. EA133F-04-SE0968.
  3. Zollett, E.A.; Rosenberg, A.A.  2005.  A review of cetacean bycatch in trawl fisheries.  [Final report; 35 p.] NOAA Contract No. EN133F04SE1048.

2004

  1. American Underwater Search and Survey, Ltd. 2004. Sonar survey of six pound net leaders off Kiptopeke, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. [Final report; 6 p.] NOAA Contract No. EA133F04SE0646.
  2. DeAlteris, J.; Chosid, D.; Silva, R.; Politis, P. 2004. Evaluation of the performance of an alternative leader design on the bycatch of sea turtles and the catch of finfish in Chesapeake Bay pound nets, offshore Kiptopeake, Va. [Fin report; 14 p. + app.] NOAA Contract No. EA133F04SE0665.
  3. DuPaul, W.D.; Rudders, D.B., Smolowitz. 2004. Industry trials of a modified sea scallop dredge to minimize the catch of sea turtles. [Final report; Va. Inst. Mar. Sci. Mar. Resourc. report 2004-12; 35 p.] NOAA Contract No. EA133F03SE0235.

We have developed a forum where constructive comments can be posted about NEFSC research. Our goal is to facilitate communications concerning our gear research accomplishments and our proposed research plans, and to receive input on: (1) any innovative gear solutions or conservation engineering approaches; (2) the appropriateness of the work that has been accomplished or is being proposed; and (3) any other approaches or ideas that may help to attain the conservation goals required under the ESA and MMPA.   We plan to post periodic responses to concerns or comments raised in this forum. If you would like to post a comment or view the forum, please click  HERE.

Gear research ideas related to large whales should be sent to the Northeast Regional Office's Gear Research Team -email: John.F.Kenney@noaa.gov

 

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Protected Species Branch
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026
Phone: (508) 495-2000
Fax: (508) 495-2258

Contact: Henry Milliken
Henry.Milliken@noaa.gov

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