CA Yellowtail, Barracuda, White Seabass Drift Gillnet Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries

Category

II

Estimated Number of Participants

30

Target Species

Yellowtail and white seabass, and secondarily barracuda

Applicable Take Reduction Plans

N/A

Observer Coverage

Observer coverage for 2002, 2003, and 2004, was 11.5%, 10.4%, and 17.6%, respectively.  There was no observer coverage in this fishery between 2004-2009.

Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured

CA sea lion, U.S.;

Long-beaked common dolphin, CA;

Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA

Original Category (Year added to the LOF)

II (2003)

Original Number of Participants

24

Basis for Original Classification

Based on analogy with other drift gillnet fisheries and the potential to entangle marine mammals.

Past Names

CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in and < 14 in) (until 2008); CA yellowtail, barracuda, white seabass, and tuna drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in and < 14 in) (until 2007).

Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list)

N/A

2011

• Added a superscript “2” after to denote that this fishery is classified by analogy to the Category II “CA halibut/white seabass and other species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh)” fishery.  The fisheries operate in similar areas and similar seasons, thus it is reasonable that either fishery may cause serious injury or mortality of humpback whales.
• Removed superscript “1” after long-beaked common dolphins (CA) in the list of species/stocks killed injured in this fishery.  The level of mortality and serious injury of long-beaked common dolphins no longer exceeds 1% of the stock’s PBR.
• Estimated number of participants reduced from 24 to 30.

2008

• NOAA Fisheries proposed to elevate this fishery to Category I based on observer documented interactions with long-beaked common dolphins (CA) in 2003-2004.  The draft 2007 SARs reported 17 documented takes, with the estimated annual mortality was 9 dolphins, or 82 % of PBR (PBR= 11). However, during the public comment period for the draft 2007 SARs, errors in the observer coverage were found.  The correct levels of observer coverage for 2002, 2003, and 2004, were 11.5%, 10.4% and 17.6%, respectively. Based upon these observer coverage levels, the revised mean annual serious injury or mortality of long-beaked common dolphins (CA) in this fishery is 4.7 animals/year, which is 43% of the stock’s PBR.  Therefore, this fishery remained classified as Category II.
• Removed the superscript "2" after the fishery in the Table 1 on the LOF.  The fishery is no longer classified by analogy to other drift gillnet fisheries, but is classified based on takes of long-beaked common dolphins (CA).  Therefore, added a superscript "1" after long-beaked common dolphins (CA) indicating that takes of this stock are driving the classification of the fishery.
• Renamed "CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size ≥3.5in. and < 14 in.)" to be consistent with the minimum mesh size allowed in this fishery as defined by the CA Fish and Game Code.

2007

• Renamed from “CA yellowtail, barracuda, white seabass, and tuna drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in and < 14 in)” fishery to "CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5in. and < 14 in.)" fishery because targeting tuna with this type of drift gillnet was effectively prohibited in 2004 under the HMS FMP.

2006

• Added a superscript “2” after this fishery in Table 1, indicating that the fishery is classified by analogy.

2005

• Added CA sea lion (U.S.), long-beaked common dolphin (CA/OR/WA), and short-beaked common dolphin (CA/OR/WA).