Drift Gillnet Research Articles

In-season monitoring of harvest and effort from a large-scale subsistence salmon fishery in western Alaska

In-season management of salmon harvest requires real-time data. Specifically, following a brief period of open fishing, knowledge of harvest outcomes is useful when deciding the nature of subsequent fishing periods. This in-season management strategy is relatively new to the lower Kuskokwim River of western Alaska, where depressed salmon runs have caused restrictions to the subsistence fishery. We have developed an in-season monitoring program to rapidly inform managers about fishery outcomes from short-duration (6-24 hours) fishery openings. Completed trip information and one or more aerial surveys are combined to estimate daily effort and harvest from drift gillnet fishers spanning 11 communities and ~130 river kilometers. We present a re-analysis of the 40 monitored openers in June-July 2016-2023, and validate harvest estimates of Chinook, chum, and sockeye salmon by comparing them to post-season estimates derived from an independent long-term monitoring program. Our results indicate that the program has produced estimates of sufficient quality to inform in-season managers, although it will likely need alterations to be successful in years with less restricted fishing.

Fishing Techniques by Fishermen in Pohon Batu Village, Waesama District, South Buru Regency

With its vast marine resource potential, Indonesia has a strategic fisheries sector needs development. However, most fishermen still live in poverty. Maintaining sustainable marine resources is crucial for a sustainable economy. Many factors, including catch and economic conditions, influence fishermen's income. In Maluku, the fisheries sector plays a vital role in the local economy, although there are challenges in increasing fishermen's income. Sustainable management and access to capital and technology are needed to improve fishermen's welfare. The potential of fisheries resources in Desa Pohon Batu requires further research for effective policy development. This study uses descriptive analytical methods to understand phenomena without making general conclusions. This approach allows for in-depth interpretation of collected data, providing holistic insights into the complexity of the phenomena under study. The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods yields a systematic and profound understanding of the relationships between variables and the narrative experiences of research participants. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding fishing methods and environmental awareness. Drift gillnets cause financial and ecological losses, while set gillnets improve operational efficiency. Fishermen's income is a critical factor in evaluating welfare, with most having low income due to minimal input production. This analysis is essential for developing policies supporting fishermen's welfare and economic resilience.

Catch Composition and Selectivity Drift Gillnet in Pambang Pesisir Village Bantan Subdistrict Bengkalis Regency

Gill nets are placed perpendicular to the water to block the swimming direction of the fish. Fish are caught by being entangled in the meshes or entangled (spun) in the body of the net. This research was conducted in Pambang Pesisir Village, Bantan District, Bengkalis Regency, to know the composition of the catch and the selectivity of drift gill nets, comparing the composition of the number, type, weight, and size of the catch from different mesh sizes, and knowing how to catch fish (entangled, gilled, snagged, wedged) on the same mesh used. This research was carried out in December 2020 using the experimental fishing method, which is a research method that uses samples of research objects caught on fishing gear for observation. The research results of drift gill nets are species-selective fishing gear. Moreover, drift gill nets with a mesh size of 7.62 cm are more selective than nets of 5.72 cm because they have a catch ratio value closer to 1 and catch more large fish (worth catching). How to catch fish with a mesh size of 5.72 cm, many fish were caught by snagged; namely, 65 fish (30%), wedged 61 fish (28%), gilled 59 fish (27%), and 33 fish entangled (15%). Meanwhile, for the mesh size of 7.62 cm, 30 fish (31%) were caught wedged, 27 fish (29%) snagged, 27 fish (29%) gilled, and ten fish entangled (11%).

Bycatch in drift gillnet fisheries: A sink for Indian Ocean cetaceans

AbstractIn 1992, the UN banned the use of large‐scale pelagic driftnets on the high seas (UNGA Resolution 46/215). Three decades later, however, drift gillnets remain one of the primary fishing gears in the Indian Ocean, accounting for approximately 30% of tuna catches in this ocean. Recent estimates indicate that several million small cetaceans have been killed in Indian Ocean gillnets over the past few decades. National agencies and the regional fisheries management organization charged with managing tuna fisheries, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, have yet to effectively document the bycatch of small cetaceans in these fisheries. Here, we review current information on cetacean bycatch in Indian Ocean drift gillnets and propose potential solutions to this important conservation issue.

Efficiency of drift gillnets in nagan raya district, aceh, indonesia

The achievement of technical and economic efficiency is one indicator in assessing the fishing process's capability. The purpose of this study was to formulate production factors of drift gillnets at The Kuala Tadu and The Kuala Tuha fishing base and to calculate the technical and economic efficiency of the use of production factors for drift gillnets at both locations. Production factors that support the success of drift gillnets operation are net depth, net length, boat size, amount of fuel, trip duration, mesh size, and engine power analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas approach. The results showed that the equation of production function for drift gillnet is LnY = 3.110 +0.112 LnX2 + 0.191 LnX3 + 0.105 LnX4 + 0.251 LnX6 with a value of R2 is 0.833. The technical efficiency study of 20 units of drift gillnets showed that the value of production elasticity (EP) for using production factors for net length (0.112), vessel size (0.191), amount of fuel (0.105), and mesh size (0.251) was < 1. It means that the use of factors of production is no longer efficient. The economic efficiency of using the variable production factors of drift gillnets is no longer efficient because the value of NPMxi/BKMxi >1.

Assessment of fishing gears, crafts, and socio-economic status of the Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) fishers’ community near the Meghna River, Bangladesh

An evaluation was conducted to assess the current state of fishing gears, crafts, and socio-economic aspects among the Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha Hamilton, 1822) fishers communities residing along the Meghna River region in Gazaria and Munshiganj Sadar Upazila, located in the district of Munshiganj, Bangladesh. About 150 fishers were interviewed using pre-tested questionnaires from selected areas from July 2019 to June 2020, and the data that was obtained was analysed using appropriate statistical tools. The methods employed for Hilsa fishing included the use of drift gill nets (known as Ilish jal, Fash jal, and Poa jal) and seine nets (referred to as Jagat ber jal), while the crafts utilised were Chandi boat and Donga. Most fishers were 31-40 years old (53.33%) in Ismanirchar and (46.67%) in Kalirchar village. Many fishers were Hindus (80%) in Ismanirchar and Muslims (96%) in Kalirchar. Regarding educational level, 69.33% and 70.67% of fishers in Ismanirchar and Kalirchar can only sign, respectively. Semi-earthen toilets were the primary type of sanitary facilities found in the area. Approximately half of the fishers residing in the two villages owned land ranging from 0 to 15 decimals. A significant portion, around 80%, relied on loans from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), while the remaining fishers obtained financial assistance from their neighbours. Hilsa fishing was found to be the main occupation in the study area. The fishers' income increased from September to November and March to May. The primary issues identified included extortion from local criminal groups, insufficient access to credit, absence of proper storage facilities, ongoing conflicts between professional and non-professional fishers, as well as tensions between Muslim and Hindu fishers. To improve their socio-economic situation and ensure sustainable livelihoods, fishers require more institutional support, better organisation, enhanced technical assistance, and increased access to credit.

Marine plastic pollution: fishers’ coping strategies and its welfare effect in Volta region, Ghana

The issue of marine plastic pollution has drawn significant attention from around the world due to the harm it poses to marine and coastal ecosystems. Despite this, the scholarly literature has not been able to fully explore the coping strategies adopted by fishers and their welfare effects. Motivated by this argument, this study examines the determinants of the coping strategies employed in response to marine plastic pollution, and its effect on fishers' productivity in the Volta region, Ghana. Empirically, the multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR) model established that the drivers of the coping strategies adopted were age, knowledge, marital status, fishers' experience in fishing, and household size. Fishers that adopted purse net only, drift-gill net only, both purse and drift-gill nets and all the three fishing techniques (purse, drag and drift-gill) have a greater productivity compared to the non-adopters. Policy implications are proposed.

Applying the ideal free distribution to the movement of a highly mobile gillnet fishery for Pacific salmon

Ecological models are used to understand where fishing vessels operate, improving fisheries management success. The ideal free distribution (IFD) predicts equalization of catch across locations in response to distributions of fish and competing vessels. We applied the IFD as a null model to investigate the movement and catch per vessel (CPUE) of the sockeye salmon drift gillnet fleet in Bristol Bay, AK, from 1980 to 2019. The IFD prediction of equal CPUE across areas was not supported, so we explored violations of two assumptions of the theory. We categorized each vessel according to its mobility, highlighting the “free to move” assumption, and found that when we removed nonmobile vessels, some districts had fewer vessels than predicted from their high CPUE. We examined the “equal competitive ability” assumption by calculating the average CPUE, relative to success of other vessels. The underutilization of profitable districts persisted. Overall, the fleet underused high CPUE areas when considering differences in mobility and relative fishing success, indicating that unmeasured safety concerns, travel costs, knowledge of fishing grounds, or other factors could be preventing an IFD.

Fisheries characteristics and biology of Indo-Pacific King Mackerel in Tarakan Waters, North Kalimantan

The Indo-Pacific king mackerel (Scomberomorus gutatus) is one of the catches of drift gill nets in the waters of Tarakan, north Kalimantan, and makes an important contribution to fisheries production in the region. In order for its use to be sustainable, it is necessary to make efforts to manage fish resources based on studies of fisheries and their biology. Monthly data for the period January to November 2021 were obtained from tangkahan based on tarakan with the aim of obtaining information and analyzing the dimensions of fishing gear, fishing grounds, catch composition, frequency of fish size, and fishing effort (cpue). Furthermore, fish biology data were analyzed by the analytical method. the results showed that there was a change in the dimensions of the longer fishing gear; the abundance of fish caught by drift gill nets was dominated by indo-pacific king mackerel (Scomberomorus gutatus) (49.3%), dorab wolf-herring (Chirocentrus dorab) (12.8%), fourfinger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) (8.5%), silver grunt (Pomadasys argenteus) (4.7%), narrowbar spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) (4.3%), barramundi (Lates calcarifer) (2.3%), goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) (2.2%), common pike conger (Muraenesox bagio) (2.2%), daggertooth pike conger (Muraenesox cinereus) (1.9%), needleskin queenfish (Scomberoides tol) 1.7%, great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) 1.3%, and other fish (11.1%). The distribution of fishing grounds is dominated by grid 6005 by 46.5%, grid 6004 by 7.08%, and grid 5760 by 6.7%. The length at first capture (lc) of mackerel was 38.06 cmfl. The yield per unit effort (cpue) of drift gill nets in Tarakan is an average of 44.3 kg/day.

Spatio-temporal patterns of the multi-day fishing in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka, and their importance for fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance

In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of multi-day fishing in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka to elucidate how such patterns related to fishing methods of multi-day fishing vessels targeting different pelagic fish species. In the analysis, 269,564 fishing operations from 37,349 fishing trips of multi-day fishing vessels during 2019 and 2020 were used. Based on the standardized fishing effort of the three major fishing methods (i.e., longlining, drift gillnetting and ring netting), species-wise catch per unit effort (CPUE) was determined for each fishing operation.The CPUE values of the three fishing methods were grouped for fishing locations in three major basins of the Indian Ocean, and according to three monsoonal seasons having varying influences of cyclones. Accordingly, 269,564 fishing operations were summarized into 77 datasets during the study period. The mean CPUE values (kg per fishing operation) were 257.3 for longlining, 163.3 for drift gillnetting and 1642.7 for ring netting. The patterns of the data matrix were investigated using the self-organizing map routine of the Artificial Neural Network. Accordingly, based on the occurrence of target species, data were classified into six clusters from which spatio-temporal patterns of fishing operations could be visualized. Ring netting was predominantly concentrated in the equatorial region and to a lesser extent in the Bay of Bengal region, with a temporal occurrence during all three seasons. Longline fishing was also predominant in the equatorial Indian Ocean region with the majority registered in the non-cyclone period. Most drift gillnet fishing operations were concentrated in the equatorial region and the Arabian Sea region, especially during the northern Indian Ocean cyclone period. These results would provide important pieces of information for the management of pelagic fish species through monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of the fishery.

Status Perikanan Tangkap di Kabupaten Kebumen

Capture fisheries in Kebumen Regency has a large potential of fish resources. The status of capture fisheries in Kebumen Regency includes the development of the number of fishermen/RTPs, fishing vessels, fishing gear, fishing production volume, fishery production value, types and catches of fish. The results showed that Kebumen fishermen are included in the category of small fishermen based on the use of boat types less than 5 GT and outboard motorboats. The number of growth of fishermen and the number of fishing boats in Kebumen Regency increased throughout 2016-2020. Types of fishing gear used by fishermen in Kebumen district include fixed gill nets, drift gill nets, trammel nets, fishing rods and hooks. The production volume and production value of the Kebumen capture fishery decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential species caught by Kebumen fishermen were demersal fish with high economic value such as white pomfret (Pampus argenteus), lobster (Panulirus homarus), jerebung shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) and red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus).

An evaluation of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) mortality incidental to fishing operations in British Columbia, Canada

Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) mortality incidental to commercial fishing operations in British Columbia (BC), Canada was evaluated by two methods: a mailed questionnaire survey of all commercial fishing licence holders in the province; and a review of records of incidental catches, strandings and dead floating animals from published and unpublished sources. Of 5,375 surveys sent out, 848 were returned of which 729 could be used (15.8%). Forty-two incidents with gray whales were reported, including three mortalities. From sources other than the questionnaire for the period up to 1989, 41 records of stranded and dead floating gray whales were obtained, of which four were judged to have been killed incidentally in fishing operations. Twenty-six of these animals had not been examined closely, but extrapolation from the 15 detailed records suggests that 27% of the dead gray whales reported in BC die incidentally in fisheries. Collisions with fishing gear are estimated to occur approximately 20 times per year. Mortality occurs in salmon drift gillnet, salmon seine, longline and trap fisheries. There is also one record of an individual entangled and drowned in a herring net pen, as well as an individual entangled in a herring set gillnet. Estimates of annual mortality are approximately two individuals using data obtained from the questionnaire and 2.4 individuals using stranding data. Biases are present for both sampling methods, but the estimated mortality levels are small relative to population size. Subsequent records (n = 40) for the period 1990–95 were also examined for comparison.

Pengawasan dengan Metode Smart Patrol di Kawasan Konservasi Taman Wisata Perairan Gili Balu

The management of conservation areas includes surveillance and monitoring activities (patrols) carried out by supervisory community groups (pokmaswas) using the Smart Patrol method. Patrol activities aim to determine the utilization pattern and level of zoning compliance in the marine conservation area of Gili Balu Aquatic Tourism Park. Patrol activities are carried out in 2021 as many as 8 times with an average of 1 time every month. The average time used to make observations ±5 hours. During the activity, 32 points of utilization of capture fisheries were found by 36 fishermen. The composition of the fishing gear used is 78% fishing line, 10% drift gill nets, 9% squid angling, the remaining 3% arrows. Fishermen's catches are dominated by soft-skin animals (81%), small pelagic fish (16%), and reef fish (3%). The pressure level of TWP Gili Balu utilization is relatively high with the highest value found on Belang Island, which is 32 people per 4 km2. The compliance rate in the core zone is relatively high with a value of 81% and falls into the excellent category, as well as in the utilization zone it is quite high at 42% and belongs to the category of quite good. The level of knowledge or utilization of the Gili Balu TWP area is included in the sufficient (moderate) category, where 41% of users know about the existence of the Gili Balu TWP conservation area and 59% of people who do not know the existence of the Gili balu TWP conservation area and the rules in it. Pokmaswas who are actively involved in surveillance and monitoring activities are Pokmaswas Liang Kuru of Senayan village, Pokmaswas Bua Lawah of Poto Tano village. However, it is still necessary to carry out regular supervision and monitoring at locations that are prone to zoning violations and socialization related to the existence of the Gili Balu TWP conservation area and the zoning rules in it.

Fisherman productivity of bottom gill net and drift gill net during covid-19 in Napabalano Sub- District Napabalano District Muna Regency

This study aims to determine the productivity of fisherman who use bottom gill nets and drift gill nets during the Covid-19 period. This research was conducted in Napabalano Village, Napabalano District, Muna Regency from April to May 2022. The sampling method used was the census method with the number of respondents being 8 bottom gill net fisherman and 8 drift gill net fisherman. Data was collected trough interviews, observation and documentation. Analysis of the data used is the productivity Analysis. The results of the study showed that the productivity obtained by bottom gill net fisherman averaged 2.42, meanwhile, the productivity obtained by drift gill net fisherman is 3.01 on average. Thus, the two fishing gears are declared productive because the average productivity value is >1.

Cetacean bycatch management in regional fisheries management organizations: Current progress, gaps, and looking ahead

Bycatch is the leading global threat to cetaceans, with at least 300,000 cetaceans estimated to be killed each year in fisheries. Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) are key actors in global fisheries management, including bycatch reduction, but their role in cetacean bycatch management is often overlooked. The primary mandate of RFMOs is to manage fisheries of target stocks, but many of their Convention Agreements call for addressing bycatch of threatened and protected species in their fisheries, including cetaceans. We reviewed 14 RFMOs to understand their current cetacean bycatch management efforts. We developed twenty-five criteria for best practices in cetacean bycatch management to understand efforts made by each RFMO, grouped into five categories: 1) general bycatch governance; 2) observer coverage; 3) quantitative bycatch limits; 4) data analysis and transparency; and 5) mitigation efforts. Collectively, based on our application of these criteria, RFMOs scored highest in “data analysis and transparency” (average=0.74) and lowest in setting “quantitative bycatch limits” (average=0.15). Overall, RFMOs have passed few binding conservation and management measures focused on cetacean bycatch, particularly compared to those addressing the bycatch of seabirds and sea turtles; the few existing measures are primarily focused on bycatch in purse seines. Notwithstanding the United Nations (UN) large-scale drift gillnet ban (46/215) on the high seas, only one RFMO has passed a management measure specifically focused on cetaceans and gillnets, widely recognized as the gear type posing the highest risk to cetaceans. No measure in any RFMO specifically addresses cetacean bycatch in longlines. We provide recommendations to the RFMO community to encourage progress on this critical issue, including leveraging other recent policy developments such as the adoption of the 2021 UN Food and Agriculture Organization Guidelines to prevent and reduce bycatch of marine mammals in capture fisheries and implementation of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provisions.

Characterizing gear-based exploitation patterns of artisanal tuna fisheries in the western Indian Ocean: A snapshot from Kenya

This study explores gear-based patterns in catch rates and catch composition of landings by artisanal tuna fishers along the Kenya coast based on data collected at eight landing sites from March 2014 to March 2020, representing 1960 fishing trips and 192 mt of fish. Tuna and tuna-like species constituted 55% and 38% respectively of the sampled catch by weight. Troll lines, ringnets and handlines were the most commonly used representing 52%, 18% and 12% of the sampled fishing trips. Ringnets were the most productive catching an average of 547 ± 99.3 kg of tuna per trip, while handlines caught the lowest (12.6 ± 1.4 kg trip −1). Longlines and drift gillnets caught the highest proportion of tuna representing 95% and 89% respectively of landings, while reef seines and monofilament gillnets caught the lowest. The mean catch per unit effort for tuna was 78.5 ± 7.7 (SE) kg trip −1, while that for tuna-like species was 35.2 ± 1.9 (SE) kg trip −1. Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis), bigeye (Thunnus obesus), and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) were the most common and most abundant representing 31.5%, 21.2%, and 20% of the tuna landings, respectively; while skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) constituted the lowest at 4%. Although tuna was landed year-round, species-specific variations in catch rates and size distribution were observed among the gear types and between seasons. Cluster analysis and non-metric ordination based on combinations of gear type and season defined four groupings with two gear types (ringnets and set gillnets) showing seasonal differentiation in the composition of tuna and tuna-like species. Majority of tuna were above the reported size at first maturity (L50) except for yellowfin and bigeye tuna. Overall, the findings provide new insights on Kenya’s artisanal tuna fishery addressing important information gaps on exploitation patterns of artisanal tuna fleets of the western Indian Ocean region.

Feeding ecology of broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the California current.

The feeding ecology of broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the California Current was described based on analysis of stomach contents collected by fishery observers aboard commercial drift gillnet boats from 2007 to 2014. Prey were identified to the lowest taxonomic level and diet composition was analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Of 299 swordfish sampled (74 to 245 cm eye-to-fork length), 292 non-empty stomachs contained remains from 60 prey taxa. Genetic analyses were used to identify prey that could not be identified visually. Diet consisted mainly of cephalopods but also included epipelagic and mesopelagic teleosts. Jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) and Gonatopsis borealis were the most important prey based on the geometric index of importance. Swordfish diet varied with body size, location and year. Jumbo squid, Gonatus spp. and Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) were more important for larger swordfish, reflecting the ability of larger specimens to catch large prey. Jumbo squid, Gonatus spp. and market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) were more important in inshore waters, while G. borealis and Pacific hake predominated offshore. Jumbo squid was more important in 2007-2010 than in 2011-2014, with Pacific hake being the most important prey item in the latter period. Diet variation by area and year probably reflects differences in swordfish preference, prey availability, prey distribution, and prey abundance. The range expansion of jumbo squid that occurred during the first decade of this century may particularly explain their prominence in swordfish diet during 2007-2010. Some factors (swordfish size, area, time period, sea surface temperature) that may influence dietary variation in swordfish were identified. Standardizing methods could make future studies more comparable for conservation monitoring purposes.

Stock assessment and management strategies for shark fisheries in the Arafura Sea: A length-based analysis of Carcharhinus sealei

Increased demand for the production of sharks in the Arafura Sea can lead to the overfishing condition, which resulted in the depletion of fish stocks. Effective management measures are crucial to ensure the sustainability of shark fisheries. The objectives of this study were to investigate the stock status and to recommend some management strategies for shark fisheries in the Arafura Sea. Length frequency data and some life history parameters were used to perform a length-based stock assessment of Carcharhinus sealei in the Arafura Sea. C. sealei has an asymptotic length of 102.25 cm with a growth constant of 0.36 year−1. C. sealei has been exploited heavily, which was indicated by the current fishing mortality (Fcur = 1.2 year−1), which was much higher than its natural mortality (M = 0.29 year−1) and the optimal fishing mortality (F40%=0.49 year−1). This study revealed that the high fishing pressure of sharks has resulted in the stock overfished condition for C. sealei in the Arafura Sea, with the current spawning potential ratio (SPRcur = 0.23) less than the reference point 40% SPR. The low selectivity of drift gillnet (current Lc50 = 66 cm) caused the low spawning stock biomass of C. sealei. The stock rebuilding strategy would be required to increase the spawning stock biomass of C. sealei. A minimum legal size of 77 cm, a marine protected area, and effort controls were some management strategies that can be adopted for the sustainability of shark fisheries in the Arafura Sea.

Inferring Stock Status of Painted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus versicolor) in Aru Islands Waters, Indonesia

Three of six commercial spiny lobster species in Indonesian waters was found in Aru Islands waters which exploited continuously using drift gillnet and the catch was dominated by painted spiny lobster (Panulirus versicolor). To ensure the sustainability of the lobster stock, fisheries should be managed properly based on the best available science. In data-limited fisheries, length composition data are most common form information available for researchers and managers since its relatively cheap and simple to collect. In this study, we evaluate the stock status of P. versicolor in Aru Islands waters using three length-based methods: 1) length-converted catch curve (LCCC), 2) length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) and 3) length-based Bayesian biomass (LBB). The result showed that the mean length at catch of P. versicolor was 80.9 mm in carapace length. Furthermore, the three methods agree that the current status of painted spiny lobster stock seems to be fully exploited where the exploitation rate, the spawning potential ratio, and relative stock size (B/BMSY) were 54%, 35%, and 85%, respectively. Thus, for sustainability of this stock, it is highly recommended to catch P. versicolor at size greater than 80 mm in carapace length.

Workplace Injuries Caused by Commercial Fishing Winches—Alaska, 2000–2020

ABSTRACT Objectives Deck machinery is a leading source of hospitalized injury for commercial fishing workers in Alaska. More detailed data are needed about the specific circumstances leading to injuries for developing targeted prevention efforts. Methods This study analyzed claims submitted to the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund (AFF) to identify patterns among injuries in Alaska from commercial fishing winches. Results During January 1, 2000–November 1, 2020, 125 traumatic injuries from commercial fishing winches were identified, mainly occurring among males (94%), frequently among fishermen aged 30 years or younger (54%). Over 80% of winch injuries occurred in salmon fisheries. By gear type, 40% of injuries occurred on vessels using purse seine gear, 30% on vessels using drift gillnet gear, and 12% among set gillnet operators. Most injuries involved a fisherman having a body part caught in or compressed by a winch or cables attached to a winch (67%). Injuries mainly affected upper extremities including fingers (50% of cases) or hands/wrists (together 22% of cases). Injury severity was not formally assessed, but injuries ranged from contusions, sprains, and strains to finger or hand crushing injuries, upper limb amputation, skull fracture, spinal fracture, and chest trauma. Most cases involved fractures (23%), amputations (18%), lacerations (16%), and contusions (16%). Of all injuries, 51% were caused by anchor winches, 32% were caused by deck winches, 9% were caused by trailer winches, and 9% were caused by other types of winches. Conclusions Practical solutions are needed for avoiding entanglement and struck-by hazards when operating fishing winches. Anchor winches warrant focused attention, having accounted for more than half of all winch injuries identified in this study. Engineering solutions, including emergency stop devices or other simple mechanical interventions depending on winch type, could help to avert potentially disabling injuries from winches. Administrative controls such as task-specific training for winches should be emphasized, especially for younger or less experienced commercial fishing crew, who may be at increased risk for injury.