2022 Funded Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Projects
Descriptions of projects funded in Fiscal Year 2022.
Northeast
Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society $199,824
Marking Ropeless Lift Bag Gear with Ocean Surface and Subsea Acoustic Locations
The goal of this study is to reduce and significantly lower levels of mortality and serious injury to marine mammals in commercial and recreational fixed gear fishing operations using ropeless lift-bag technology in the lobster, crab and gillnet fisheries.
Cormac Hondros-McCarthy $211,290
Low-Cost Offshore Ropeless System to Reduce Marine Mammal Entanglement on the Atlantic Coast
This project seeks to develop a low-cost, remotely deployed offshore lobster trap retrieval system that will allow fishers to fish without risking gear entanglement with the North Atlantic Right Whale.
University of Maine $210,822
Measuring Post-Release Mortality in the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Fishery off of New England
The objective of this study is to measure the level of post-release mortality for the commercial Atlantic bluefin tuna catch and release fishery located off New England. This will include estimating mortality for age classes between 7-20 years old.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County $205,240
Assessment and Outreach Program for Turtle Excluder Devices Within the Longfin Squid Fishery of the Greater Atlantic Region
This project seeks to develop and implement a conservation gear technology approach to address the issue of sea turtle bycatch in the longfin squid fisheries of the Greater Atlantic Region. The project will increase longfin squid fishery data collection opportunities relative to turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and longfin squid retention results when utilizing them in response to proposed regulations to adopt TEDs into this fishery. This project will implement an extensive at-sea evaluation of two TED designs.
Ocean Associates Incorporated $199,154
Whale Release Ropes to Reduce Entanglement Risk
This study is aimed at reducing whale entanglement by simulating outcomes using release ropes versus regular strength ropes. The researchers will include whale behavioral information into the present model based on in-the-field observations of right whales and running entanglement scenarios using different weak ropes. Included in this work will be an open and closing mouth model based on our understanding that most entanglements likely are initiated by mouth contact with ropes. The computer model will simulate entanglements with the aim of “reverse engineering” known entanglement situations as depicted in the photographic record and necropsy reports.
West Coast
Sub Sea Sonics, LLC $199,584
Transition to Full-Scale Ropeless Fishing to Extend the Season in the California Dungeness Crab Fishery
The study seeks to demonstrate that ropeless fishing can be conducted at typical fishing operation scale while providing risk reduction for marine mammal entanglement and an alternative to time-area closures. The study will comprise four tasks including: establishing a pathway for large-scale utilization and implementation of ropeless fishing for Dungeness crab fishers in California; providing the necessary outreach, equipment, training and at-sea trials to develop and verify the required level of ropeless fishing expertise for key early adopters; demonstrating and documenting that ropeless fishing can be successfully scaled to a level that is representative of large-scale adoption for participating fishers, and using the results to identify further technology improvements, define remaining barriers to implementation, educate the fishing community on the outcomes, and recommend a path forward for ropeless fishing that can be supported within the community.
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission $166,986
Development of a System to Reduce Juvenile Sablefish Catches in the West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Fishery
This study will build off prior research where the investigators worked with fishers to quantify the efficacy of a modified Flexigrid system designed to further increase the reduction of juvenile sablefish catches in the West Coast groundfish bottom trawl fishery.
Puget Buoy $193,295
Building Sustainability in Crabbing Communities: A Pilot Project Using Pop-up Gear for Commercial Fishing in California State Fisheries
The goal for this project is to provide 100-150 Puget Buoy units to approximately 3-5 commercial Dungeness crab fishing vessels in California to test throughout the fishing season starting in February. Each vessel will receive 25 units and service them once a week for 17 weeks. This project will conduct 1,700 to 2,550 tests. The principle investigators will closely coordinate fishing vessel crews to monitor operating feedback and assess the gear's readiness for commercial use and certification through California’s Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program for certifying new alternative fishing innovations in commercial state fisheries.
University of California, Santa Cruz $133,720
Gear Interactions in the California Halibut Bottom Trawl Fishery
This study will evaluate gear interactions to develop bycatch reduction measures for green sturgeon and other non-target species. Threatened green sturgeon are caught as bycatch in the California halibut trawl fishery out of San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. Results from a previous study indicate post-release mortality for green sturgeon is 18% and could contribute to the species’ extinction risk.
Pacific Islands
Wildlife Computers, Inc $81,967
A Power Delivery Device and Tag Anchor for Deploying Towed Electronic Tags on Leatherback Sea Turtles
This project will work on developing innovative and effective technologies, gear modifications, avoidance programs and techniques, for protected species (i.e., leatherback sea turtles), and improving understanding and reduction of post-release and other indirect mortality.
Alaska
FishNext Research, LLC $139,641
Reduce Bycatch in Catch Share Trawl Fisheries of the North Pacific
The goal of the project is to promote the uptake and speed further development of active selection systems to reduce bycatch in the catch-share trawl fisheries of the North Pacific.
Southeast
Florida Atlantic University $197,595
Reducing Interactions Between Sharks and Snapper/Grouper Fisheries Through Novel Deterrent Devices
This study will involve a robust scientific evaluation and testing of the "Zeppelin," a novel magnetic shark deterrent that is incorporated into a sinker specifically designed for bottom fishing. Field assessments will be conducted by working with stakeholders (i.e., charter fishing vessels off the Florida east coast) to evaluate feasibility and “buy-in”, and evaluate effects on target catch and depredation.
Arizona State University $149,000
Measuring and Reducing Post-Release Mortality for Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks in the Commercial Pelagic Longline Fishery
The goal of the study is to improve the survival of scalloped hammerheads in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fishery (PLL). This will be accomplished by measuring post-release mortality of scalloped hammerheads in the PLL fishery using satellites. Then modeling the effects of environmental conditions, fishing and handling practices, and biological characteristics (e.g. sex, size) on post-release mortality to identify best fishing practices that maximize post-release survival.