An Evaluation of the Avoidance Gear 12” Drop Chain Sweep as a Method to Reduce Winter Flounder Retention in the Small Mesh Squid Trawl Fishery within the SNE/MA Winter Flounder Stock Area

  • Total Amount Awarded: $223,212
  • Project Duration: June 1, 2011- May 31, 2013
  • Status: Completed

Project Team:

  • Emerson Hasbrouck, Project leader, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • John Scotti, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • Tara Froechlich, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • Kristin Gerbino, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • Joseph Costanzo, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • William Schuman, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • Jason Grosskurth, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Marine Program
  • Jon Knight, Superior Trawl
  • Ken Ketchum, F/V Linda Marie
  • James Haitz, F/V James & Matthew
  • Richard Jones, F/V Pontos
  • William Grimm, F/V Perception
  • Patrick Sullivan, Cornell University

Project Summary:

Using the knowledge gained during the 2010 proof of concept project entitled ―A method to reduce winter flounder retention by minimizing variability in drop chain performance in the inshore Loligo small mesh trawl fishery off Long Island, NY within the winter flounder stock area‖ Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) proposes to perform an extensive evaluation of the 12" drop chain sweep across a broader range of fishing strata. Working within the proof of concept project design, the limited data from the 2010 CCE study showed that there was a significant difference in catch between control (0 slack) and the reduced catch in the experimental treatment for both combined demersals (including winter flounder) and squid. However this project did not use a control net without the drop chain sweep as a basic comparison. We propose here to use a standard squid trawl as a control net. Based on CFRF‘s recommendations headrope adjustments of 12" and 24" will be tested to determine impacts on winter flounder demersals and crustacean escapement and Loligo retention. CCE will further develop a scientific protocol that focuses on testing the drop chain option versus the standard net across a wider range of fishing conditions reflective of the small mesh squid trawl fishery.

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