CCE Initiates Fleet Communication System for Butterfish Avoidance

Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program has received funding from NFWF for initiating a fleet communication system as a method to abate butterfish and river herring bycatch. The fleet communication system will collect and report real-time observations of study species bycatch co-occurrence and “hot spots” from vessels engaged in the Loligo bottom trawl fishery to enable the fleet to avoid the “hot spot” locations in order to reduce fleet-wide capture of butterfish and river herring. This program can lead to appreciable bycatch monitoring and reduction, and increased fishing opportunities for a fleet that might otherwise be restricted once the bycatch of river herring and butterfish cause unwanted fishery closures. An at sea observer program will also be implemented in order to document and validate bycatch information provided by the fleet and provide educational outreach to improve bycatch quantification.  Real-time reporting and reducing bycatch in the small mesh bottom trawl fishery is critical to fish stock management and rebuilding.  The project is an innovative alternative approach to bycatch reduction devices and mesh size modification as solutions for reducing bycatch. For more information and to get involved please call (631) 727-7850 x 315.