Protected Species Reports

Some marine species are protected by federal laws and regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)). Observers collect protected species data to estimate bycatch or takes of these species. Protected species groups encountered by observed vessels include marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, green sturgeon, eulachon and salmon. Bycatch/take estimates are provided in units of individuals, rather than weight, for the purposes of protected species management and assessment. The impacts of fishery management on protected species bycatch can be found at the following websites: NOAA’s Northwest Region and Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Summaries of marine mammals, seabird and sea turtle interactions and bycatch/take estimates are published annually in a single report (see below) that includes all for observed sectors.

Under the ESA, distinct population segments (evolutionarily significant units) of many Pacific salmon species (chinook, coho, pink, sockeye and chum) are listed as endangered or threatened. Therefore, accurate reporting of salmon bycatch estimates is important in determining overall mortality and managing the recovery of these populations. Salmon bycatch estimates from WCGOP observations can be found in the annual report (see below).

Two additional fish species are listed under the Endangered Species Act: the southern distinct population segments of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) and eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus).

Tables of observed bycatch for these protected species are published annually, and fleet-wide expanded bycatch estimates for these species are published biennially (see below).

Observed Bycatch of Protected Species

Marine Mammal, Seabird, Sea Turtle observed bycatch (2002-2014) (pdf) (xlsx)
Eulachon observed bycatch (2002-2014)
Green sturgeon observed bycatch (2002-2014)

Biennial Reports on Protected Species

A number of reports were created in response to the 2012 National Marine Fisheries Science (NMFS) Biological Opinion on Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery, to document bycatch and fishing effort in the West Coast Groundfish Fisheries. These reports can be found in Agenda Item D.4 of June 2015 Briefing Book, at the Pacific Fisheries Management Council website

Eguchi, T., R. Bjorkland, C. Fahy, J. Jannot, T. Mitchell, K. Somers, E. Ward, B. Whiteside. 2015. 2014 Reporting requirements as set out in the NMFS Biological Opinion- Leatherback sea turtles for the continuing authorization of the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. National Marine Fisheries Service, SWFSC, La Jolla, CA 92039.

Good, T. P., V. Tuttle, J. Jannot, R. Shama, N. Riley, J. McVeigh. 2015. Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Short-tailed Albatross in U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries 2010-2013. National Marine Fisheries Service, NWFSC, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA 98112. >

Gustafson, R., Y.-W. Lee, E. Ward, K. Somers,V. Tuttle, J. Jannot. 2015. Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Eulachon in 2002–2013 US West Coast Groundfish Fisheries. National Marine Fisheries Service, NWFSC, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA 98112.

Hanson, B., T.P. Good, J. Jannot and J. McVeigh. 2015. Humpback whale bycatch in the 2010-2013 U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries. National Marine Fisheries Service, NWFSC, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA 98112.

Lee, Y.-W., R. Gustafson, J. Jannot, J. McVeigh, N. Riley, K. Somers, V. Tuttle, S. Wang, E. Ward. 2015. Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Green Sturgeon in 2002–2013 US West Coast Groundfish Fisheries. National Marine Fisheries Service, NWFSC, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA 98112.

Somers, K.A., J.E. Jannot, J. Hastie, Y.-W. Lee, J.McVeigh, C.E. Whitmire. 2015. Fishing Effort in the 2002-2013 U.S. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries. West Coast Groundfish Observer Program. National Marine Fisheries Service, NWFSC, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA 98112.

Marine Mammals, Seabirds and Sea Turtles

Salmon

Green Sturgeon and/or Eulachon