Abstract
This study examined two versions of an open escape window bycatch reduction device (BRD) designed to reduce bycatch of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and rockfish (Sebastes spp.) in the U.S. Pacific coast Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) fishery. Tests were conducted off central Oregon during 2009 and 2010 aboard a midwater trawler. Data on fish behavior and gear performance were observed using autonomous high-resolution low-light color video cameras and artificial lights. During this study, one of the BRD versions reduced both Chinook salmon and widow rockfish (S. entomelas) bycatch. The use of artificial light was also noted to influence the behavior of Chinook salmon. The mean escape time of Chinook salmon differed significantly between the two versions examined. Escapement of Pacific hake, the target species, was rarely observed. Results of this study suggest that there is potential for reducing Chinook salmon and widow rockfish bycatch in the Pacific hake fishery using open escape window BRDs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
