U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

U.S. National Bycatch Report

First Edition
i

U.S. National Bycatch Report

Editors

William A. Karp

Lisa L. Desfosse

Samantha G. Brooke

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Cover photo credits: 

Background: fishing net, NMFS. Left to right: spotted dolphins inside a tuna purse-seine net, NMFS; loggerhead 

sea turtle escaping a trawl net via a turtle excluder device, NMFS; blue shark caught on longline gear, NMFS.

Title page photo credit:

Bycatch from a shrimp trawl. © Elliott Norse, Marine Conservation Biology Institute/Marine Photobank.

This publication may be cited as:

National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011. U.S. National Bycatch Report [W. A. Karp, L. L. Desfosse, S. G. Brooke,

Editors]. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-117E, 508 p. 

Online edition: http://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/tm/117E.pdf

This publication (revision E, 30 Sept. 2011) is the final and printed report. Earlier versions were preliminary and for 

internal review.

For additional copies, contact:

NMFS Office of Science and Technology

1315 East-West Highway, 12th Floor

Silver Spring, MD 20910

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U.S. National Bycatch Report

Photo: © Elliott Norse, Marine Conservation Biology Institute/Marine Photobank

Revised 30 September 2011

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-117E

U.S. Department

of Commerce

Rebecca Blank

Acting Secretary 

of Commerce

National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration

Jane Lubchenco

Under Secretary of Commerce

for Oceans and Atmosphere

National Marine

Fisheries Service

Eric Schwaab

Assistant Administrator 

for Fisheries

First Edition

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NAT OI NAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRAT OI N

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Preface

Ensuring the sustainability of marine resources for future 

generations is the primary mission of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Reducing the unintentional capture, or 

bycatch, of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds 

is an essential part of this goal and is required under NMFS’ 

guiding legislation. The first step in reducing bycatch is accurate characterization of current bycatch levels; this provides a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of our 

efforts to reduce bycatch. Understanding the amounts and 

types of bycatch in our nation’s fisheries is also an important component of ecosystem-based management, which 

seeks to account for the complex connections among organisms, including humans and their environment.

The U.S. National Bycatch Report provides the first nationwide compilation by NMFS of estimated bycatch in U.S. 

commercial fisheries. It expands upon the conservation 

and management strategies articulated in previous NMFS 

publications such as Managing the Nation’s Bycatch (1998) 

and Evaluating Bycatch (2004b), and mandated under the 

Magnuson-Stevens Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, 

and Endangered Species Act. The U.S. National Bycatch 

Report also provides information on sampling and estimation methods, provides an objective framework for evaluating the quality of bycatch estimates, and establishes performance measures for monitoring improvements to bycatch 

data quality and estimates over time. 

A great deal of work went into compiling the estimates contained herein, as well as in developing new processes for 

evaluating the quality of bycatch data, describing the impact of bycatch upon stocks and fisheries, and developing 

recommendations to improve the quality and extent of data 

collection and the quality of estimation methods. In each of 

its six regions, NMFS collects data that are used for bycatch 

estimation. Some of these data come directly from the fishing industry itself, such as fishermen’s logbooks; bycatch 

data are also collected by observer programs. Using this information, in addition to data on commercial and recreational fishery landings, regional assessment scientists generate 

estimates of bycatch at the fishery and species level. The 

quality and amount of available data and the methods used 

to estimate bycatch vary widely among regions, fisheries, 

and species. Since this project was initiated in 2006, estimates presented are based upon data collected in 2005. 

We recognize that more recent bycatch estimates are available for many fisheries, and that changes to fisheries management practices have occurred in the interim, potentially 

affecting bycatch levels presented in this report. 

NMFS is committed to compiling updated and new estimates in a timely manner. I am certain that you will find in 

these pages valuable insights into the nature of bycatch in 

our nation’s fisheries as well as steps that NMFS, together 

with our partners at the regional Fisheries Management 

Councils, is taking to improve the quality of bycatch estimates and to reduce bycatch levels. In particular, research 

in the area of fishing gear technology, development of electronic fishery monitoring techniques, and the implementation of catch shares and other accountability measures, 

are advancing our goal of meeting our bycatch reduction 

mandates.

The report includes:

•	 A complete list of 274 Federal, state, international, and 

tribal commercial fisheries, identifying management authorities, gear types, target species, and bycatch data 

sources

•	 Evaluation of bycatch data sources and estimation methods for 152 Federal commercial fisheries, 46% percent 

of which were determined to have high-quality bycatch 

information

•	 Bycatch estimates for 81 Federal commercial fisheries

•	 480 fish, 54 marine mammal, 12 sea turtle, and 28 seabird stock-level bycatch estimates

•	 An estimated overall national bycatch ratio for fish (bycatch/total catch) of 17%

•	 Identification of 396 key stocks that will be monitored 

over time for changes in bycatch levels

•	 120 recommendations for improvements to bycatch data 

collection and estimation for key fisheries.

This is the first in a planned series of national bycatch reports designed to track and report on our efforts to monitor 

bycatch. The U.S. National Bycatch Report will serve as a 

cornerstone, aiding NMFS in meeting our bycatch reduction 

mandates and stewardship obligations by identifying trends 

in bycatch, guiding policy, and setting priorities for bycatch 

data collection. 

Steven Murawski, Ph.D. (retired)

Director of Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor

National Marine Fisheries Service

Silver Spring, Maryland

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The U.S. National Bycatch Report was developed over the 

course of several years under the leadership of Dr. Lisa 

Desfosse (Director, Southeast Fisheries Science Center 

Pascagoula Laboratory) and Dr. Bill Karp (Deputy Director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center). Project coordination 

was provided by Samantha Brooke (Office of Science and 

Technology). 

The methodological approach for the report was developed 

through numerous workshops and conference calls by the 

National Bycatch Report Steering Committee; bycatch information was provided by teams of scientists and fisheries 

managers from each of the NMFS regions. Steering Committee and Regional Team members are listed in Appendix G and F, respectively. Two SeaGrant fellows, Jessica 

Barkas (2006–07) and Catherine Purcell (2009–10), also 

provided extensive aid in the development of the report. 

A collaborative effort, the U.S. National Bycatch Report is 

the product of extensive data, information, comments, suggestions, and research provided by colleagues throughout 

NOAA, both those engaged in the aforementioned Steering 

Committee and Regional Teams and those who provided 

additional insight on specific topics. We thank them for their 

efforts in ensuring the accuracy of the information included 

herein, as well as for providing insight into national and regional bycatch concerns. Without their support, this report 

would not have been possible.

Acknowledgments

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Contents

Executive Summary

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Bycatch Data Quality ............................................................................................................................. 4

Designation of Key Stocks ..................................................................................................................... 7

Performance Measures ......................................................................................................................... 7

National and Regional Bycatch Summaries ........................................................................................... 8

Stock Bycatch Estimates...................................................................................................................... 14

Looking Ahead: Improving Bycatch Data Collection and Estimation.................................................... 20

Conclusions ...................................................................................................................................... 22

Regional Bycatch Fact Sheets ............................................................................................................. 23

Northeast Region ............................................................................................................................. 24

Southeast Region............................................................................................................................. 26

Alaska Region.................................................................................................................................. 29

Northwest Region............................................................................................................................. 31

Southwest Region............................................................................................................................ 34

Pacific Islands Region...................................................................................................................... 37

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 43

1.2 U.S. Laws and Regulations to Address Bycatch ........................................................................ 43

1.3 The U.S. Bycatch Strategy ......................................................................................................... 44

1.4 Definition of Bycatch ................................................................................................................... 44

2 Data Sources for Estimating Bycatch

2.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 49

2.2 Fishery Observer Programs ....................................................................................................... 49

2.3 Marine Mammal Data-Collection Programs ............................................................................... 50

2.4 Logbooks .................................................................................................................................... 50

2.5 Production and Dealer Reports .................................................................................................. 52

2.6 Port Sampling and Dockside Monitoring .................................................................................... 52

2.7 Vessel Monitoring Systems ........................................................................................................ 52

3 U.S. National Bycatch Report Methods

3.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 55

3.2 Tier Classification System .......................................................................................................... 56

3.2.1 Criteria and Scores for Tier Classification System ............................................................... 56

3.2.2 General Description of Tiers ................................................................................................. 61

3.2.3 Application of the Tier Classification System ........................................................................ 62

3.3 Identification of Key Stocks ........................................................................................................ 65

3.3.1 Evaluation of Stock Bycatch Level and Stock Bycatch Ratio ................................................ 65

3.3.2 Evaluation of Management Importance ................................................................................ 67

3.3.3 Evaluation of Stock or Population Status ............................................................................. 67

3.3.4 Qualitative Evaluation of Key Stocks ................................................................................... 68

3.4 Identifying Fisheries of Focus ..................................................................................................... 69

3.4.1 Qualitative Evaluation of Fisheries of Focus ........................................................................ 69

3.4.2 Fishery Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans .................................................................. 69

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4 Regional Fisheries Characteristics 

4.1 Northeast Region ....................................................................................................................... 77

4.1.1 Fisheries Overview ............................................................................................................... 77

4.1.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns ............................................................................... 85

4.1.3 Data Sources ........................................................................................................................ 87

4.1.3.1 Observer Program Data ............................................................................................... 87

4.1.3.2 Mandatory Self-Reported Data .................................................................................... 87

4.1.4 Bycatch Estimation Methods ................................................................................................. 90

4.1.4.1 Fish bycatch Estimation Methods for Federally Managed Commercial Fisheries ....... 90

4.1.4.2 Caveats for Fish Bycatch Estimation ............................................................................ 92

4.1.4.3 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation Methods for Federally Managed 

Commercial Fisheries .................................................................................................. 93

4.1.4.3.1 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation Methods for Federally Managed 

 Gillnet Commercial Fisheries ................................................................................. 93

4.1.4.3.2 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation Methods for Federally Managed 

 Trawl Commercial Fisheries ................................................................................... 94

4.1.4.4 Sea Turtle Bycatch Estimation Methods for all Federally Managed 

Commercial Fisheries .................................................................................................. 94

4.1.4.4.1 Mid-Atlantic Region: Sea Turtle Bycatch Estimation Method

 for Federally Managed Gillnet Commercial Fisheries ........................................... 95

4.1.4.4.2 Mid-Atlantic Region: Sea Turtle Bycatch Estimation Methods

 for Federally Managed Scallop Dredge Commercial Fisheries ............................ 95

4.1.4.4.3 Mid-Atlantic Region: Sea Turtle Bycatch Estimation Methods 

 for Federally Managed Trawl Commercial Fisheries ............................................ 95

4.1.4.5 Seabird Bycatch Estimation Methods for Federally Managed

Commercial Fisheries .................................................................................................. 95

4.1.5 Tier Classification for Northeast Region Fisheries ............................................................... 95

4.1.6 Northeast Regional Key Stocks ......................................................................................... 100

4.1.7 Northeast Region Bycatch Estimates ................................................................................. 104

4.1.7.1 Fish Bycatch Estimates .............................................................................................. 104

4.1.7.2 Protected Species Bycatch Estimates ........................................................................ 104

4.1.8 Fishery Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans ................................................................... 104

4.1.8.1 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans for Northeast Fisheries of Focus—Fish ...... 105

4.1.8.2 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans for Northeast Fisheries of Focus—

Protected Species .......................................................................................................110

4.1.8.3 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans for U.S. National Bycatch Report

Fisheries of Focus—Fish and Protected Species .......................................................113

4.1.8.4 Summary of Northeast Region Recommendations .....................................................114

4.1.8.5 Improvements Expected from Implementation of Recommendations .........................115

Appendix 4.1 Northeast Region Bycatch Estimates ......................................................................116

4.2 Southeast Region ...................................................................................................................... 143

4.2.1 Fisheries Overview ............................................................................................................. 143

4.2.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns ............................................................................ 148

4.2.3 Data Sources ..................................................................................................................... 152

4.2.3.1 Observer Programs .................................................................................................... 152

4.2.3.2 Logbooks .................................................................................................................... 155

4.2.4 Southeast Region Bycatch Estimation Methods ................................................................ 155

4.2.4.1 Fish Discard Estimation Methods ............................................................................... 156

4.2.4.1.1 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline Fishery ............................... 156

4.2.4.1.2 Southeast Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark Aggregates

 (Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet) ....................................................................... 156

4.2.4.1.3 Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Fishery .................................................................. 156

4.2.4.1.4 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS Pelagic Longline Fishery ................................ 156

4.2.4.1.5 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Fishery ............................................ 158

4.2.4.1.6 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Fishery ........................................................ 158

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4.2.4.1.7 South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Handline Fishery ............................................ 159

4.2.4.1.8 Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Fishery ...................................... 160

4.2.4.1.9 South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Fishery 

 (includes Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo Fishery) ......................................................... 160

4.2.4.1.10 Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery ...................................................... 160

4.2.4.1.11 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the North Carolina 

 Inshore (Bays and Rivers) Gillnet Fishery ......................................................... 160

4.2.4.2 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation Methods ........................................................... 160

4.2.4.2.1 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline Fishery ............................... 160

4.2.4.2.2 Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark Aggregates

 (Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet) ........................................................................ 160

4.2.4.2.3 Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Fishery .................................................................. 161

4.2.4.2.4 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS Pelagic Longline Fishery ................................ 161

4.2.4.2.5 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Fishery ............................................ 161

4.2.4.2.6 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Fishery ........................................................ 161

4.2.4.2.7 South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Handline Fishery ............................................ 161

4.2.4.2.8 Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Fishery ...................................... 161

4.2.4.2.9 South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Fishery 

 (includes Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo Fishery) ......................................................... 161

4.2.4.2.10 Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery ...................................................... 161

4.2.4.2.11 North Carolina Inshore (Bays and Rivers) Gillnet Fishery ................................. 161

4.2.4.3 Other Protected Species Bycatch Estimation Methods .............................................. 161

4.2.4.3.1 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline Fishery ............................... 163

4.2.4.3.2 Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark Aggregates

 (Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet) ........................................................................ 163

4.2.4.3.3 Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Fishery .................................................................. 163

4.2.4.3.4 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS Pelagic Longline Fishery ................................ 163

4.2.4.3.5 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Fishery ............................................ 163

4.2.4.3.6 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Fishery ........................................................ 163

4.2.4.3.7 South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Handline Fishery ............................................ 164

4.2.4.3.8 Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Fishery ...................................... 164

4.2.4.3.9 South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Fishery 

 (includes Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo Fishery) ......................................................... 165

4.2.4.3.10 Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery ...................................................... 165

4.2.4.3.11 North Carolina Inshore (Bays and Rivers) Gillnet Fishery ................................. 165

4.2.4.3.12 North Carolina Southern Flounder Pound Net Fishery ...................................... 165

4.2.5 Tier Classification for Southeast Region Fisheries ............................................................. 165

4.2.6 Southeast Region Key Stocks ............................................................................................ 168

4.2.7 Southeast Region Bycatch Estimates ................................................................................ 173

4.2.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans for Fisheries of Focus ............................................ 173

4.2.8.1 Bycatch estimation improvement plans ...................................................................... 173

4.2.8.2 Cost and Feasibility Summary of Southeast Region Recommendations ................... 178

Appendix 4.2 Southeast Region Bycatch Estimates ................................................................... 180

4.3 Alaska Region ............................................................................................................................ 207

4.3.1 Fisheries Overview ............................................................................................................. 207

4.3.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns ............................................................................ 214

4.3.3 Data Sources ..................................................................................................................... 216

4.3.3.1 Observer Programs .................................................................................................... 216

4.3.3.2 Logbooks .................................................................................................................... 218

4.3.3.3 Electronic Reports of Catch and Production .............................................................. 218

4.3.3.4 Other Data Sources .................................................................................................... 219

4.3.4 Alaska Region Bycatch Estimation Methods ...................................................................... 219

4.3.4.1 Alaska Fish Bycatch Estimation Methods ................................................................... 220

4.3.4.1.1 Prohibited Species Bycatch Estimates ............................................................... 220

4.3.4.1.2 Non-Target Species Bycatch Estimates ............................................................. 220

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4.3.4.1.3 Groundfish Landings and Bycatch (Discard) Estimates ..................................... 220

4.3.4.2 Species Bycatch Estimates for Protected Species ..................................................... 221

4.3.4.2.1 Marine Mammal Serious Injury/Mortality Estimates—Groundfish Fisheries ....... 221

4.3.4.2.2 Seabird Mortality Estimates ................................................................................ 221

4.3.4.3 Marine Mammal Serious Injury/Mortality Estimates—AMMOP................................... 222

4.3.4.4 Marine Mammal Serious Injury/Mortality Estimates— 

Entanglement/Stranding Data .................................................................................... 222

4.3.5 Tier Classification of Alaska Region Fisheries ................................................................... 222

4.3.6 Alaska Region Key Stocks ................................................................................................. 226

4.3.7 Alaska Region Bycatch Estimates ...................................................................................... 230

4.3.8 Alaska Region Fishery Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans ........................................... 230

4.3.8.1 Improvement Plan for Alaskan Groundfish Fisheries ................................................. 230

4.3.8.2 Improvement Plan for Category II State of Alaska Salmon Fisheries ......................... 231

4.3.8.3 Summary of Alaska Region Recommendations ......................................................... 232

Appendix 4.3 Alaska Regional Bycatch Estimates ...................................................................... 234

4.4 Northwest Region ...................................................................................................................... 313

4.4.1 Fisheries Overview ............................................................................................................. 313

4.4.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns ............................................................................ 313

4.4.3 Data Sources ..................................................................................................................... 317

 4.4.3.1 Observer Programs ................................................................................................... 317

 4.4.3.2 Logbooks ................................................................................................................... 317

 4.4.3.3 Landing Receipts ....................................................................................................... 318

4.4.4 Northwest Region Bycatch Estimation Methods ................................................................ 319

 4.4.4.1 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West Coast LimitedEntry Bottom Trawl, Groundfish Bottom Trawl Fishery .................................................. 319

 4.4.4.2 Fish Discard Estimation Method for Pacific halibut in the West

Coast Limited-Entry Bottom Trawl, Groundfish Bottom Trawl Fishery ........................... 319

 4.4.4.3 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West Coast LimitedEntry Sablefish-Endorsed Fixed-Gear Fishery and the NonSablefish-Endorsed Fixed-Gear Fishery ......................................................................... 319

 4.4.4.4 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the Oregon/California

Nearshore Rockfish Fishery ........................................................................................... 320

 4.4.4.5 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West Coast Mid-Water

Trawl for Whiting, At-Sea Processing Fishery ................................................................ 320

 4.4.4.6 Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch Estimation Methods 

for the West Coast Mid-Water Trawl for Whiting, At-Sea

Processing; West Coast Limited-Entry Bottom Trawl;

Groundfish Bottom Trawl; Limited-Entry Sablefish-Endorsed

Fixed Gear; Non-Sablefish-Endorsed Fixed Gear; and Oregon

California Nearshore Rockfish Fisheries ........................................................................ 320

 4.4.4.7 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West Coast 

Salmon Troll, Non-Tribal, and Tribal Ocean Fisheries ................................................... 321

 4.4.4.8 Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch Estimation Methods for the 

West Coast Salmon Troll, Non-Tribal, and Tribal Ocean Fisheries ................................ 321

4.4.5 Tier Scores for Northwest Region Fisheries ....................................................................... 321

4.4.6 Northwest Region Key Stocks ............................................................................................ 324

4.4.7 Northwest Region Bycatch Estimates................................................................................. 322

4.4.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans for Northwest Region Fisheries ............................. 329

4.4.8.1 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans for Northwest Fisheries of Focus ................ 329

4.4.8.2 Fishery-Specific Improvements .................................................................................. 329

4.4.8.3 Summary of Northwest Region Recommendations ................................................... 332

Appendix 4.4 Northwest Region Bycatch Estimates ................................................................... 333

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4.5 Southwest Region ..................................................................................................................... 345

4.5.1 Fisheries Overview ............................................................................................................. 345

4.5.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns ............................................................................ 345

4.5.3 Data Sources ..................................................................................................................... 348

4.5.3.1 Observer Program ...................................................................................................... 348

4.5.3.2 Self-Reported Data ..................................................................................................... 348

4.5.3.3 Landings Receipts ...................................................................................................... 350

4.5.4 Southwest Region Bycatch Estimation Methods ................................................................ 350

4.5.5 Tier Classification for Southwest Region Fisheries ............................................................ 350

4.5.6 Southwest Region Key Stocks ........................................................................................... 352

4.5.7 Southwest Region Bycatch Estimates ............................................................................... 358

4.5.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans for Southwest Region Fisheries ............................ 358

4.5.8.1 Plans for Improving Bycatch Estimation for Southwest Fisheries of Focus ............... 358

4.5.8.1.1 Fisheries Identified through the Quantitative Process ........................................ 358

4.5.8.1.2 Fisheries Identified through the Qualitative Process .......................................... 359

4.5.8.2 Southwest Region Recommendations ....................................................................... 360

Appendix 4.5 Southwest Region Bycatch Estimates .................................................................. 362

4.6 Pacific Islands Region ........... .................................................................................................... 365

4.6.1 Fisheries Overview ............................................................................................................. 365

4.6.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns ............................................................................ 368

4.6.3 Data Sources ..................................................................................................................... 371

4.6.3.1 Observer Programs .................................................................................................... 371

4.6.3.2 Logbooks .................................................................................................................... 373

4.6.3.3 State Dealer Data ....................................................................................................... 373

4.6.3.4 Commercial Catch Reports ........................................................................................ 373

4.6.4 Pacific Islands Region Bycatch Estimation Methods ......................................................... 373

4.6.5 Tier Classification of Pacific Islands Region Fisheries ....................................................... 374

4.6.6 Pacific Islands Region Key Stocks ..................................................................................... 376

4.6.7 Pacific Islands Region Bycatch Estimates ......................................................................... 379

4.6.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans for Pacific Islands Region Fisheries ...................... 380

4.6.8.1 Improvement Plans ..................................................................................................... 380

4.6.8.2 Summary of Cost and Feasibility of Pacific Islands Region Recommendations ........ 380

Appendix 4.6 Pacific Islands Region Bycatch Estimates ............................................................ 382

5 National Overview 

5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 401

5.2 Bycatch Data-Collection Sources and Estimation Methods ...................................................... 405

5.3 Evaluation of Bycatch Data and Bycatch Estimation Methods .................................................. 406

5.4 Identification of Key Stocks ....................................................................................................... 408

5.5 Fishery Bycatch ......................................................................................................................... 409

5.5.1 Northeast Region Fishery Bycatch ..................................................................................... 410

5.5.2 Southeast Region Fishery Bycatch .....................................................................................411

5.5.3 Alaska Region Fishery Bycatch .......................................................................................... 412

5.5.4 Northwest Region Fishery Bycatch .................................................................................... 413

5.5.5 Pacific Islands Region Fishery Bycatch ............................................................................. 414

5.6 Bycatch by Resource Type ........................................................................................................ 414

5.6.1 Fish Bycatch ....................................................................................................................... 415

5.6.1.1 Northeast Region Fish Bycatch .................................................................................. 416

5.6.1.2 Southeast Region Fish Bycatch ................................................................................. 417

5.6.1.3 Alaska Region Fish Bycatch ....................................................................................... 418

 5.6.1.4 Northwest Region Fish Bycatch ................................................................................. 419

5.6.1.5 Southwest Region Fish Bycatch ................................................................................. 420

5.6.1.6 Pacific Islands Region Fish Bycatch .......................................................................... 420

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5.6.2 Marine Mammal Bycatch .................................................................................................... 421

5.6.2.1 Northeast Region Marine Mammal Bycatch ............................................................... 421

5.6.2.2 Southeast Region Marine Mammal Bycatch .............................................................. 422

5.6.2.3 Alaska Region Marine Mammal Bycatch .................................................................... 422

5.6.2.4 Northwest Region Marine Mammal Bycatch .............................................................. 424

5.6.2.5 Southwest Region Marine Mammal Bycatch .............................................................. 424

5.6.2.6 Pacific Islands Region Marine Mammal Bycatch ....................................................... 426

5.6.3 Sea Turtle Bycatch ............................................................................................................. 427

5.6.3.1 Northeast Region Sea Turtle Bycatch ........................................................................ 427

5.6.3.2 Southeast Region Sea Turtle Bycatch ........................................................................ 427

5.6.3.3 Alaska Region Sea Turtle Bycatch ............................................................................. 428

 5.6.3.4 Northwest Region Sea Turtle Bycatch ........................................................................ 428

5.6.3.5 Southwest Region Sea Turtle Bycatch ....................................................................... 428

5.6.3.6 Pacific Islands Region Sea Turtle Bycatch .................................................................. 429

5.6.4 Seabird Bycatch ................................................................................................................. 430

5.6.4.1 Northeast Region Seabird Bycatch ............................................................................ 430

5.6.4.2 Southeast Region Seabird Bycatch ............................................................................ 430

5.6.4.3 Alaska Region Seabird Bycatch ................................................................................. 431

5.6.4.4 Northwest Region Seabird Bycatch ............................................................................ 432

5.6.4.5 Southwest Region Seabird Bycatch Estimates .......................................................... 433

5.6.4.6 Pacific Islands Region Seabird Bycatch ..................................................................... 433

5.7 National and Regional Estimates of Overall Bycatch ................................................................ 434

5.8 Improving Bycatch Data Collection and Estimation ................................................................... 436

5.9 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 438

Appendix 5 Recommendations for Improvement ............................................................................ 440

6 References .......................................................................................................................................... 451

Appendices

A Acronyms Used in the U.S. National Bycatch Report ........................................................................... 461

B Domestic Statutes and Regulations and International Agreements....................................................... 465

C Monitoring-Related Action Items from Regional Bycatch Implementation Plans: 

Updates for FY08-FY09 ........................................................................................................................ 471

D Additional Information on Precision, Accuracy, and Bias ...................................................................... 473

E Fisheries Identified by the U.S. National Bycatch Report, and Fisheries Included in the Report ......... 477

F Membership of the National Bycatch Report Regional Teams .............................................................. 487

G Membership of the National Bycatch Report National Steering Committee .......................................... 489

H Details of Scoring and Tier Classification System ................................................................................. 491

I Living Marine Resources with U.S. National Bycatch Report Bycatch Estimates ................................. 495

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Figures and Tables

Executive Summary

Figure 1 Primary data sources used in bycatch estimation in the National Bycatch Report ................... 4

Figure 2 Distribution of tier scores for the quality of bycatch data and estimation summed 

across fisheries, regions, and bycatch categories ..................................................................... 6

Figure 3 Distribution of tier scores for bycatch data and estimate quality summed across 

fisheries and regions for A) fish, B) marine mammals, and C) other protected species ............ 6

Table 1 Total estimated fisheries landings and bycatch by type for each NMFS region ........................ 8

Table 2 Fish landings and bycatch by NMFS region, and estimated regional bycatch ratios ................ 9

Table 3 Comparison of fish bycatch estimates for U.S. commercial fisheries from the 

U.S. National Bycatch Report with previously published estimates .......................................... 9

Figure 4 Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial trawl fisheries by NMFS region .................................11

Figure 5A Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial bottom longline fisheries by NMFS region ............... 12

Figure 5B Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial pelagic longline fisheries by NMFS region .............. 12

Figure 6 Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial gillnet fisheries by NMFS region .............................. 13

Figure 7 Fish bycatch ratios for fisheries using gears other than trawls, longlines, and gillnets 

by NMFS region ...................................................................................................................... 13

Figure 8 Fish stocks with fish bycatch ratios greater than 0.127 by NMFS region ................................ 15

Figure 9 Marine mammal bycatch for stocks with 10 or more bycaught animals by NMFS region ....... 16

Figure 10 Marine mammal bycatch for stocks with fewer than 10 bycaught animals by NMFS region .. 17

Figure 11 Bycatch estimates include mortalities and live releases for sea turtles .................................. 18

Figure 12 Estimated seabird bycatch by NMFS region ........................................................................... 19

Table 4 Resources needed to implement recommendations for improving bycatch 

data-collection and estimation ................................................................................................. 20

NE Figure Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Northeast Region .............................................. 24

NE Table Bycatch of Northeast Region key stocks ................................................................................. 25

SE Figure Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Southeast Region ............................................. 26

SE Table Bycatch of Southeast Region key stocks ................................................................................ 27

AK Figure Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Alaska Region ................................................... 29

AK Table Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Alaska Region ................................................... 30

NW Figure Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Northwest Region ............................................. 31

NW Table Bycatch of Northwest Region key stocks ................................................................................ 32

SW Table Bycatch of Southwest Region key stocks ............................................................................... 34

SW Table Southwest Region Key Fish Stocks ........................................................................................ 35

PI Figure Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Pacific Islands Region ....................................... 37

PI Table Bycatch of Pacific Islands Region key stocks ......................................................................... 38

Introduction

Figure 1.1 Terms used in the U.S. National Bycatch Report .................................................................... 45

Data Sources for Estimating Bycatch

Table 2.1 Requirements on bycatch reporting in Fishery Management Plans, by region ....................... 51

U.S. National Bycatch Report Methods

Figure 3.1 Bycatch estimates were calculated at both fishery and stock levels........................................ 55

Table 3.1 Criteria and scoring of bycatch data quality and estimation method........................................ 58 

Figure 3.2 Scores for bycatch data quality and estimation method reliability, and

resulting tier classifications of fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report............ 63

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Table 3.2 The use of the tier classification system for evaluating bycatch data-collection 

and estimation methods, illustrated for five selected fisheries................................................. 64 

Table 3.3 Sources of criteria for identifying key stocks............................................................................ 65

Figure 3.3 Quantitative criteria used to identify key stocks ....................................................................... 66

Figure 3.4 Stock bycatch ratios (ratios of fish discards to total catch) for fisheries 

with bycatch estimates ............................................................................................................ 68

Figure 3.5 Quantitative process used to identify fisheries of focus .......................................................... 70

Figure 3.6 Fishery bycatch ratios for fisheries with bycatch estimates .................................................... 71

Northeast Region

Table 4.1.1 Northeast Region fisheries included in this report ................................................................... 78 

Figure 4.1.1 Management jurisdictions for Northeast Region fisheries ....................................................... 84

Table 4.1.2 Northeast Region Federal observer programs, fisheries observed, and coverage levels ....... 88

Figure 4.1.2 Northeast Region statistical areas .......................................................................................... 91

Table 4.1.3 Tier classifications for Northeast Region fisheries .................................................................. 96

Figure 4.1.3 Northeast Region fisheries in each tier class, by resource type ........................................... 100

Table 4.1.4 Key stocks of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds in the Northeast Region ..... 101

Figure 4.1.4 Distribution of key stocks in the Northeast Region by resource type .................................... 103

Table 4.1.5 Summary of Northeast Region recommendations and requirements ................................... 106

Table 4.1.A Fish and invertebrate bycatch in the Northeast Region, by fishery ........................................116

Table 4.1.B Bycatch in the Northeast Region by species and stock ........................................................ 134

Table 4.1.C Marine mammal bycatch in Northeast Region fisheries ........................................................ 136

Table 4.1.D Sea turtle bycatch in Northeast Region fisheries .................................................................. 140

Southeast Region

Table 4.2.1 Southeast Region fisheries included in this report ................................................................ 144

Figure 4.2.1 Management jurisdictions for Southeast Region fisheries .................................................... 147

Table 4.2.2 Southeast Region Federal observer programs, fisheries observed, and coverage levels .... 153

Table 4.2.3 Tier classifications for Southeast Region fisheries ................................................................ 166

Figure 4.2.2 Southeast Region fisheries in each tier class, by resource type ........................................... 168

Table 4.2.4 Key stocks of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds in the Southeast Region .... 169

Figure 4.2.3 Distribution of key stocks in the Southeast Region by resource type ................................... 172

Table 4.2.5 Southeast Region recommendations and requirements ....................................................... 179

Table 4.2.A Fish bycatch in Southeast Region fisheries, by fishery ......................................................... 180

Table 4.2.B Bycatch in the Southeast Region by species and stock ........................................................ 192 

Table 4.2.C Marine mammal bycatch in Southeast Region fisheries ....................................................... 202

Table 4.2.D Sea turtle bycatch in Southeast Region fisheries .................................................................. 203

Table 4.2.E Seabird bycatch in Southeast Region fisheries ..................................................................... 206

Alaska Region

Table 4.3.1 Alaska Region fisheries included in this report ..................................................................... 208

Figure 4.3.1 Management jurisdictions for Alaska Region fisheries .......................................................... 214

Table 4.3.2 Alaska Region Federal observer programs and fisheries observed ..................................... 217

Table 4.3.3 Calculation of prohibited and non-target species bycatch in the Alaska Region ................... 220

Table 4.3.4 Tier classifications for Alaska Region fisheries ..................................................................... 222

Figure 4.3.2 Alaska Region fisheries in each tier class, by resource type ................................................ 226

Table 4.3.5 Key stocks of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds in the Alaska Region .......... 227

Figure 4.3.3 Distribution of key stocks in the Alaska Region by resource ................................................. 229

Table 4.3.6 Alaska Region recommendations and requirements ............................................................ 233

Table 4.3.A Fish bycatch in the Alaska Region, by fishery ....................................................................... 234

Table 4.3.B Bycatch in the Alaska Region by species and stock ............................................................. 298

Table 4.3.C Marine mammal bycatch in Alaska Region fisheries ............................................................. 302

Table 4.3.D Seabird bycatch in Alaska Region fisheries .......................................................................... 306

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Northwest Region

Table 4.4.1 Northwest Region fisheries included in this report ................................................................ 314

Figure 4.4.1 Management jurisdictions for Northwest Region fisheries .................................................... 315

Table 4.4.2 Northwest Region Federal observer programs and fisheries observed ................................ 318

Table 4.4.3 Tier classifications for Northwest Region fisheries ................................................................ 322

Figure 4.4.2 Northwest Region fisheries in each tier class, by resource type ........................................... 323

Table 4.4.4 Key stocks of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds in the Northwest Region .... 324

Figure 4.4.3 Distribution of Northwest Region key stocks by resource type ............................................. 328

Table 4.4.5 Northwest Region recommendations and requirements ....................................................... 332

Table 4.4.A Fish bycatch in the Northwest Region, by fishery ................................................................. 333

Table 4.4.B Bycatch in the Northwest Region by species and stock ........................................................ 339

Table 4.4.C Marine mammal bycatch in Northwest Region fisheries ....................................................... 341

Table 4.4.D Sea turtle bycatch in the Northwest Region fisheries ............................................................ 342

Table 4.4.E Seabird bycatch in the Northwest Region fisheries ............................................................... 343

Southwest Region

Table 4.5.1 Southwest Region fisheries included in this report ............................................................... 346

Figure 4.5.1 Management jurisdictions for Southwest Region fisheries .................................................... 346

Table 4.5.2 Southwest Region Federal observer programs and fisheries observed ............................... 349

Table 4.5.3 Tier classifications for Southwest Region fisheries ............................................................... 351

Figure 4.5.2 Southwest Region fisheries in each tier class, by resource type .......................................... 352

Table 4.5.4 Key stocks of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds in the Southwest Region ... 353

Figure 4.5.3 Distribution of key stocks in the Southwest Region by resource type ................................... 357

Table 4.5.5 Southwest Region recommendations and requirements ...................................................... 361

Table 4.5.A Marine mammal bycatch in Southwest Region fisheries ....................................................... 362

Table 4.5.B Sea turtle bycatch in Southwest Region fisheries ................................................................. 363

Pacific Islands Region

Table 4.6.1 Pacific Islands Region fisheries included in this report ......................................................... 366

Figure 4.6.1 Management jurisdictions for Pacific Islands Region fisheries ............................................. 368

Table 4.6.2 Pacific Islands Region Federal observer programs and fisheries observed ......................... 372

Table 4.6.3 Tier classifications for Pacific Islands Region fisheries ......................................................... 375

Figure 4.6.2 Pacific Islands Region fisheries in each tier class, by resource type .................................... 376

Table 4.6.4 Key stocks of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds in the Pacific 

Islands Region ...................................................................................................................... 377

Figure 4.6.3 Distribution of key stocks in the Pacific Islands Region by resource type ............................. 378

Table 4.6.5 Pacific Islands Region recommendations and requirements ................................................ 379

Table 4.6 A Pacific Islands Region recommendations and requirements ................................................ 382

Table 4.6 B Pacific Islands Region bycatch by stocks and species ......................................................... 387

Table 4.6 C Marine mammal bycatch in the Pacific Islands within the US EEZ ....................................... 385

Table 4.6.D Marine mammal bycatch in the Pacific Islands outside the US EEZ ..................................... 391

Table 4.6.E Sea turtle bycatch in Pacific Islands Region fisheries ........................................................... 397

Table 4.6.F Seabird bycatch in Pacific Islands Region fisheries .............................................................. 398

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National Overview

Table 5.1 Fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report, by region ....................................... 401

Table 5.2 Fishery management plans by fishery management council, region, and ecosystem .......... 402

Table 5.3 Take Reduction Plans required under the MMA and Biological Opinions 

 required under the ESA ......................................................................................................... 404

Table 5.4 Data sources used to develop bycatch estimates, by region and fishery ............................. 406

Figure 5.1 Distribution of the 400 assigned tier scores among Tiers 0–4 .............................................. 407

Figure 5.2 Distribution of assigned tier scores by resource type ............................................................ 408

Figure 5.3 Fishery bycatch ratios for Northeast Region fisheries ........................................................... 410

Figure 5.4 Fishery bycatch ratios for Southeast Region fisheries ...........................................................411

Figure 5.5 Fishery bycatch ratios for Alaska Region fisheries ................................................................ 412

Figure 5.6 Fishery bycatch ratios for Northwest Region fisheries .......................................................... 413

Figure 5.7 Fishery bycatch ratios for Pacific Islands Region fisheries ................................................... 414

Table 5.5 Numbers of bycatch estimates by region and resource type ................................................ 415

Figure 5.8 Stock bycatch ratios for the Northeast Region ...................................................................... 416

Figure 5.9 Stock bycatch ratios for the Southeast Region ..................................................................... 417

Figure 5.10 Stock bycatch ratios for the Alaska Region ........................................................................... 418

Figure 5.11 Stock bycatch ratios for the Northwest Region ..................................................................... 419

Figure 5.12 Stock bycatch ratios for the Pacific Islands Region .............................................................. 420

Figure 5.13 Marine mammal bycatch in the Northeast Region ................................................................ 421

Figure 5.14 Marine mammal bycatch in the Southeast Region ................................................................ 422

Figure 5.15 Marine mammal bycatch in the Alaska Region ..................................................................... 423

Figure 5.16 Marine mammal bycatch in the Northwest Region ................................................................ 424

Figure 5.17 Marine mammal bycatch in the Southwest Region ............................................................... 425

Figure 5.18 Marine mammal bycatch in the Pacific Islands within the EEZ ............................................. 426

Figure 5.19 Marine mammal bycatch in the Pacific Islands beyond the EEZ .......................................... 426

Figure 5.20 Sea turtle bycatch in the Southeast Region........................................................................... 428

Figure 5.21 Sea turtle bycatch in the Pacific Islands Region .................................................................... 429

Figure 5.22 Seabird bycatch in the Southeast Region.............................................................................. 430 

Figure 5.23 Seabird bycatch in the Alaska Region.................................................................................... 431

Figure 5.24 Seabird bycatch in the Northwest Region.............................................................................. 432 

Figure 5.25 Seabird bycatch in the Pacific Islands Region ....................................................................... 433

Table 5.6 Total estimated fisheries landings and bycatch, by region and bycatch type ........................ 434

Table 5.7 Regional and national fish bycatch and bycatch ratios ......................................................... 435

Table 5.8 Comparison of fish bycatch estimates in the U.S. National Bycatch Report to 

previously published estimates ............................................................................................. 435 

Table 5.9 Summary of recommendations and requirements by region ................................................ 436

Table 5.A Recommendations by region for improving bycatch data-collection 

 and estimation methods ........................................................................................................ 440

Appendix

Figure D.1 Trade-offs between precision, number of samples, and cost ................................................ 473

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Executive

Summary

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2

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Photo on previous page: Trawl contents, including bycatch. 

Photo: C. Nolan, MRAG Americas, under contract to the 

NMFS Observer Program.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Definition of bycatch 

Bycatch , for the purposes of this report, is 

defined as discarded catch of any living marine resource and as unobserved mortality2

due to a direct encounter with fishing gear. 

Since information on unobserved mortality 

of fish is rarely available, it is not included in 

this report. Unobserved mortality is included 

in bycatch estimates for protected species 

where the data permit.

Commercial fisheries vary greatly in scale and fishing 

practice and these factors impact, and in some cases constrain, bycatch data-collection programs. The major sources of data used for the bycatch estimates presented in this 

report were observer data and self-reported logbook data. 

Multiple data sources were available for some fisheries. 

Total landings by fishery are provided for each NMFS region for consistency with other published reports. However, 

aggregate landings at the species level were obtained from 

the NMFS centralized landings database.3

Observer programs are conducted in all six NMFS regions, 

and observer data were available for 110 U.S. commercial 

fisheries in 2005 (72% of the subset of fisheries considered by the National Bycatch Report; Figure 1). Fisheries 

observers are trained biologists who collect data on fishing 

activities onboard commercial vessels (and at processing 

plants in some instances). Observers collect both quantity and composition information on catch and bycatch, as 

well as information on fish discards (e.g., released alive vs. 

dead) and condition of protected species bycatch (e.g., location of entanglement and/or hooking, condition of animal 

upon release). Biological samples, gear type, environmental conditions, economic data, and other information useful for stock assessments are also collected by observers. 

Observer data are considered the most reliable source of 

information on bycatch. Furthermore, observer data are 

subjected to rigorous quality-assurance procedures.

Data from commercial fisheries logbook programs, which 

are required under regulations for 39 fishery management 

plans (FMPs) established under the MSA, were used in

Introduction

Bycatch occurs when fishing operations result in discard 

of fish and invertebrates or interactions with marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles. Discard of fish may occur 

because certain species, sexes, or sizes are not marketable or are of lower value than other components of the 

catch, or because regulations prohibit retention of specific 

species, sexes, and/or sizes. Bycatch impacts living marine 

resources worldwide and occurs in both commercial and 

recreational fisheries. It is of particular concern if bycaught 

species are overfished, threatened, or endangered. When 

bycatch estimates are available, they may be included as a 

component of overall fishing mortality during stock assessment or status evaluation. Thus, such estimates are essential to effective management of all living marine resources. 

Development of this first National Bycatch Report was 

motivated by recognition of the need to review the status 

of information on bycatch in the Nation’s fisheries, consistent with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) statutory obligations as set forth in the 

U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act (MMPA), and the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). 

This Executive Summary provides an overview of report 

results; the full document, which is provided on the enclosed CD, contains the technical details. 

The National Bycatch Report provides the first national 

compilation of bycatch estimates for living marine resources of the United States that are managed by NOAA’s 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The NMFS 

has prepared this report to evaluate the extent to which 

reliable quantitative bycatch information exists for federally 

managed commercial fisheries and fisheries with relevant 

Federal data-collection programs. The report also documents bycatch estimates and bycatch estimation methods 

for all fisheries for which this information was available in 

2005.1 In addition to reviewing the state of bycatch data 

and estimation, this report establishes a baseline for tracking changes in bycatch over time, and is designed to assist 

NMFS in meeting legislative mandates for bycatch reduction, guiding policy, and setting priorities.

Data sources for estimating bycatch

Data sources vary among regions, as well as among fisheries, primarily due to differences in data-collection program 

goals, objectives, priorities, and available resources. 

1 The year 2005 was selected as a base year during the report’s development in 2006 since it was the most recent year for which complete 

information was available. The National Marine Fisheries Service intends 

to publish updated information in future editions of this report. Note that 

for some rare-event species (species that do not occur frequently as bycatch), multiple years of data were utilized to develop bycatch estimates. 

2Unobserved mortality describes the mortality of living marine resources 

due to a direct encounter with fishing gear that does not result in the capture of the species. This includes mortality due to lost or discarded fishing 

gear, as well as mortality of fish and other species that escape from fishing gear before it is retrieved but die due to the stress or injury resulting 

from the encounter (NMFS 2004b). 

3 http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/commercial/index.html.

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

bycatch estimation for 80 U.S. commercial fisheries (53% 

of the subset of fisheries the U.S. National Bycatch Report 

focused on; Figure 1). Logbooks are completed on board 

the vessel by a designated crew member. Reporting requirements for logbooks (which may also be called vessel 

trip reports or VTRs, catch reports, or trip tickets) differ by 

NMFS region and fishery. Logbook data may be used to 

estimate bycatch in the absence of observer data, or may 

be used as supplemental data for extrapolating to the unobserved portion of the fishery. Logbooks are self-reported 

and the bycatch data are typically compared to data from 

observer programs for verification; this is possible only if 

an observer program has been implemented for the same 

fishery. If no observer data are available, logbook underreporting and other sources of bias are potential sources of 

error in estimating bycatch.

Additional data were provided through dealer or landings 

reports, production reports, and protected species stranding and entanglement reports. The data provided by these 

programs were not generally used alone to calculate bycatch, but served as ancillary information for estimation of 

overall bycatch when observer data were available for only 

a portion of a fishery. Data collected through dealer/landing reports were available for 61 fisheries (40%; Figure 1). 

Data collected through production reports were available 

for 25 Alaskan fisheries (16%). 

Data from stranding and entanglement reports were used 

to assess relative levels of bycatch only when more reliable 

data sources were not available, the report was considered reliable, and the report clearly described a mortality 

or a serious injury that was likely to lead to mortality of the 

entangled animal. Strandings information is not included 

in Figure 1 but was used in marine mammal bycatch estimates for the Alaska and Northeast regions.

BYCATCH DATA QUALITY

Tier classification system

Precise and accurate bycatch estimates require highquality data; these estimates contribute to improved understanding of the impact of bycatch among all species 

and fisheries, and are essential to managing the Nation’s 

fisheries. Annual catch limits, fish and protected species 

stock assessments, and bycatch reduction measures all 

depend on the availability of this high-quality information. 

A tier classification system was developed to evaluate the 

quality of bycatch data and the reliability of bycatch estimation methods for selected U.S. fisheries (for details, see 

Section 3). The tier classification system provides a basis 

for defining the current state of knowledge regarding levels 

of bycatch, and quality of data and estimation methods; 

this establishes a benchmark point for defining the need for 

improvements in data collection and analysis, and evaluating these improvements over time. 

Figure 1

Primary data sources used in bycatch estimation for fisheries and species identified 

in the National Bycatch Report. Data are from the year 2005, except for some rareevent species that required data from a range of years. Note: Percentages do not total 100, as multiple data sources were used to estimate bycatch in some fisheries.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Observer programs

Logbooks / VTRs / catch

reports / trip tickets

Dealer / landing reports

Production reports

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The subset of fisheries evaluated through the tier classification, which is referenced throughout the report, consists of 152 federally managed fisheries and fisheries with 

relevant Federal data-collection programs. These fisheries 

were assessed based on a series of criteria and assigned 

to one of five tiers. The major criteria used in the tier classification system were: 1) adequacy of bycatch data collected through observer programs and self-reported industry 

logbooks; 2) availability of supplemental data (used as expansion factors for unobserved components of the fishery, 

for stratification and imputation, as model covariates, and 

to verify self-reported industry data); 3) database and information technology considerations (used to link data to generate timely bycatch estimates); and 4) quality of analytical approaches (bycatch estimation method assumptions, 

peer reviews, statistical bias of estimators, and availability 

of uncertainty estimates). Adequacy of observer data and 

quality of analytical approaches were more heavily weighted and, therefore, tier determination was primarily driven 

by these criteria. 

Fisheries with low overall scores were assigned to lower 

tiers (Tier 0, Tier 1), and fisheries with high overall scores 

were assigned to higher tiers (Tier 3, Tier 4). It is important 

to note that tier scores are based on 2005 information, and 

that improvements to bycatch data collection and estimation may have occurred in some fisheries subsequently. 

Fisheries classified in Tier 0 typically lacked bycatch datacollection or estimation methods while fisheries classified 

in Tier 4 were considered to provide reliable bycatch estimates based on long-term observer data.

Results of the tier classification

The tier classification system was applied to the subset 

of 152 fisheries included in this report. The system was 

applied separately (on a fishery-by-fishery basis) for fish 

managed under the MSA, for marine mammals, and for all 

other protected species (ESA-listed fish and sea turtles, 

and all seabirds). This was done because some fisheries 

were grouped to be consistent with MMPA fishery definitions (and associated protected species bycatch estimation methods), and in some fisheries, bycatch data were 

only available for protected species. As a result, a total of 

400 tier classifications were generated; 142 fisheries were 

evaluated for quality of fish bycatch data and estimation; 

129 fisheries were evaluated for marine mammal bycatch 

data and estimation quality, and the same number were 

evaluated for protected species.

The majority of fisheries (41%) were classified in Tier 3, 

while 15% fell into Tier 2, and 16% into Tier 1. Only 4% 

were classified in Tier 4. Overall, bycatch data-collection 

programs and/or estimation methods did not exist for 24% 

of the fisheries evaluated and these were therefore classified as Tier 0 (Figure 2).

Results of the tier classification reveal some variation 

among the quality of data and estimation methods for different bycatch types (Figure 3). For fish bycatch, only 13% 

of the fisheries were classified in Tier 0, while 41% were 

classified in Tiers 1 and 2, and 46% in Tiers 3 and 4. For 

marine mammals and other protected species, 30% of the 

fisheries were classified in Tier 0, while approximately 25% 

were classified in Tiers 1 and 2, and 45% in Tiers 3 and 4. 

This suggests that there is less data-collection specifically 

Tier descriptions 

(refer to Chapter 3 for details)

	 	 For Tier 4 fisheries, bycatch 

estimates were available and were based 

on the highest quality data and analytical 

methods.

 For Tier 3 fisheries, bycatch estimates were also generally available but higher 

quality data (e.g., data that are more reliable, 

accurate, and/or precise) were utilized to compute these estimates. 

For Tier 2 fisheries, bycatch estimates were generally available. However, 

these estimates would have benefited from 

improvements in data quality and/or analytical 

methods (such as improved sampling designs, 

increased coverage levels, and peer review of 

methods). Where bycatch estimates were not 

available, methods are being developed.

 For Tier 1 fisheries, bycatch data were 

available but were generally unreliable (e.g., 

from unverified or potentially biased sources). 

In some cases, higher quality data were available but analytical methods had not been 

implemented. 

 For Tier 0 fisheries, bycatch data-collection programs or estimation methods did 

not exist, and therefore, bycatch estimates 

were not available.

   

  

 



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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Figure 2 (above)

Distribution of tier scores for the quality of bycatch data 

and estimation summed across fisheries, regions, and 

bycatch categories. The total number of tier scores 

derived for this report was 400: fish (142) + marine 

mammals (129) + other protected species (129). 

Figure 3 (right)

Distribution of tier scores for bycatch data and estimate quality summed across fisheries and regions for 

A) fish, B) marine mammals, and C) other protected 

species.

Tier 0

24% (n = 96)

Tier 2

15% (n = 59)

Tier 4

4% (n = 15)

Tier 1

15% (n = 62)

Tier 3

42% (n = 168)

A. Fish

 n = 142 Tier 0

13% (n = 18)

Tier 1

23% (n = 33)

Tier 2

18% (n = 25)

Tier 4

3% (n = 5)

Tier 3

43% (n = 61)

B. Marine 

 mammals

 n = 129 Tier 0

30% (n = 39)

Tier 1

12% (n = 15)

Tier 2

13% (n = 17)

Tier 3

40% (n = 52)

Tier 4

5% (n = 6)

C. Other protected 

 species

 n = 129 Tier 0

30% (n = 39)

Tier 1

11% (n = 14)

Tier 2

13% (n = 17)

Tier 3

43% (n = 55)

Tier 4

3% (n = 4)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

targeted to bycatch of marine mammals and other protected species than to bycatch of fish (more than double the 

percentage of fisheries were Tier 0 for marine mammals 

and other protected species). However, of the fisheries 

where data were available, the quality of the bycatch data 

and estimates was similar for fish species and for marine 

mammals and other protected resources (i.e., around 45% 

of fisheries in Tiers 3 and 4).

DESIGNATION OF KEY STOCKS 

A subset of fish and protected species was identified 

for use in monitoring bycatch trends over time. In this report, stocks in this subset are referred to as key stocks,

4

and are defined as those stocks that have high bycatch 

levels, have special importance to management, and/or 

for which there are stock status concerns (for details, see 

Section 3). Note that all ESA-listed species were automatically considered to be key stocks, but non-ESA-listed fish, 

marine mammals, and seabirds were evaluated based on 

the factors listed above before being listed as key stocks. 

Changes in bycatch of key stocks over time will provide an 

indicator of how well NMFS is meeting the bycatch reduction goals of the ESA, MMPA, and MSA. 

A total of 396 fish, marine mammal, seabird, and sea turtle stocks and populations were classified as key stocks. 

Stocks occurring in multiple regions were listed as “key” in 

each region where bycatch was of concern. The number of 

key fish stocks varied by region, with the Southwest Region 

identifying the highest number, 94 (35% of the total number 

of key fish stocks). Because no fish bycatch estimates were 

available in the region, all stocks of management importance were placed on the list of key stocks as a precautionary measure. Of the 269 key fish stocks, 68% are included 

in the NMFS Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) and 

22% are listed under the ESA. Seventy-one marine mammal stocks (18% of the total number) were identified as key 

stocks, with the highest number in the Alaska Region (18). 

All sea turtle populations were classified as key stocks 

since they are listed under the ESA as either endangered 

or threatened. A total of 30 seabird populations were identified as key stocks. Detailed descriptions of key stocks, by 

region, are included in Section 4 of this report. 

4The term key stock is used broadly in this report to include stocks, populations, species, and species groups.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Two performance measures were developed based on the 

information contained in this report: the tier scoring system 

and the key stocks concept. They will be used to monitor 

bycatch trends and changes in the quality of bycatch data 

collection and estimation over time.

Tier scores: As improvements are made to bycatch data 

collection, and new methods for estimating bycatch are 

developed and implemented, the tier scores of individual 

fisheries are expected to increase. This system provides a 

measure of the relative quality of bycatch estimates within 

and between regions, bycatch categories, stocks, and fisheries that is available to fisheries managers for use in fisheries conservation and management activities.

Key stocks: Future editions of the report will compare new 

estimates of key stock bycatch to those of previous editions. Monitoring bycatch trends over time for key stocks 

identified herein will provide an indicator of how well NMFS 

is meeting the bycatch reduction goals of the ESA, MMPA, 

and MSA. Additionally, key stocks showing increasing levels of bycatch may be identified for increased research 

and/or bycatch reduction efforts.

Because this is the first edition of the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report, it was not possible to evaluate changes in performance over time. Information presented in this report will, 

however, provide a baseline for such evaluation. Future 

editions of the report will define management targets for 

these performance measures. 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL 

BYCATCH SUMMARIES

Estimated fish bycatch for the U.S. commercial fisheries 

considered in this report totaled 1.22 B pounds, while associated landings for these fisheries totaled almost 6.068 

B pounds (Table 1). The resulting estimated overall bycatch 

ratio (defined as the ratio of bycatch to total catch, where 

total catch equals landings plus bycatch) for fish bycatch 

in all U.S. commercial fisheries considered in this report is 

0.17 (rounded from the actual calculated ratio of 0.167543 

on which Table 2 is based). The ratio 0.17 is referred to 

as the “overall bycatch ratio” in the following discussion. 

The computation of an overall bycatch ratio did not include 

bycatch of protected species; for fisheries considered in 

this report, estimated bycatch of marine mammals totaled 

1,887 individual animals, estimated bycatch of sea turtles 

totaled 11,772 animals, and estimated bycatch of seabirds 

totaled 7,769 animals. 

In some fisheries, insufficient data were available for analysis. For other fisheries, analytical methods for estimating 

some types of bycatch were not available when this report 

was compiled (e.g., bycatch estimates were not provided 

for fish species in the Southwest Region or for seabirds 

in the Northeast and Southwest Regions). In addition, fish 

bycatch estimates were provided in numbers of individuals 

for some Southeast and Northwest Region fisheries, and 

these estimates were not included in the calculation of total 

U.S. bycatch, because factors for converting numbers to 

weights were not available. 

Table 2 provides estimates of overall regional and national 

fish bycatch (i.e., bycatch associated with all U.S. fisheries 

including those with bycatch estimates included in this report and summarized in Table 1 and those without bycatch 

estimates and, therefore, excluded from Table 1). For each 

region, the calculated bycatch ratio (0.167543) was applied 

to the total landings for those fisheries not considered in 

the U.S. National Bycatch Report to compute an estimate 

of fish bycatch (i.e. calculating the unknown bycatch using the bycatch ratio for known bycatch and total landings). 

Computation employed the formula bycatch = (0.167543 

× Landings)/(1 – 0.167543), where 0.167543 is the calculated bycatch ratio. This provided a means for estimating 

total bycatch for each region, and the resulting bycatch 

estimates were summed to provide an overall national bycatch estimate of 1.934 B pounds. 

Bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial fisheries published by 

the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (Kelleher 2004) and Harrington et al. (2005) for 

the period 2002–2003 were higher than the estimate calTable 1

Total estimated fisheries landings and bycatch by type for each NMFS 

region included in the National Bycatch Report. Data are generally from 

2005, except for some rare-event species estimates for which bycatch 

data from a range of years may have been used. Weights are rounded 

to the nearest thousand pounds. Note that details of individual regional 

calculations are described in Section 4 of the report.

Region Fish bycatch (lb) Fish landings (lb)

Marine mammal 

bycatch

(individuals)

Sea turtle 

bycatch 

(individuals)

Seabird

bycatch

(individuals)

Northeast 165,888,000 1,006,370,000 1,287 1,062 Not available

Southeast 682,691,000 219,086,000 233 10,671 a 186

Alaska 338,573,000 4,487,167,000 62 0 b 7,280

Northwest 25,564,000 332,396,000 37 0 b 106

Southwest c Not available – 242 1 Not available 

Pacific Islands 8,556,000 23,000,000 26 38 197

Totals 1,221,272,000 6,068,019,000 1,887 11,772 7,769

a The Southeast sea turtle bycatch estimate includes mortality estimates from the NMFS 2002 biological opinion on the shrimp fisheries of the Southeastern 

United States (NMFS 2002). Since that time, effort in the shrimp fishery, and associated bycatch, has decreased markedly.

b Sea turtle bycatch has not been observed in the Alaska or the Northwest Regions.

c Southwest Region landings are not included because fish bycatch estimates from the region were not available.

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 8 2/5/12 
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

culated herein, which is based on 2005 data (Table 3). Correspondingly, the overall total bycatch estimate provided in 

this report is lower (1.934 B pounds) than those reported 

by FAO (Kelleher 2004; 2.045 B pounds) and Harrington 

et al. (2005; 2.333 B pounds). These reports obtained bycatch estimates and associated landings data from published and grey literature, while the estimates used here 

are based on raw data, as well as data obtained from a 

range of published and unpublished reports. In addition, 

FAO (Kelleher 2004) reports that their database may be bi2005 landings (lb) 2005 bycatch (lb)

Region

Fisheries 

considered in 

the National 

Bycatch 

Report

Fisheries not 

considered 

in the 

National 

Bycatch 

Report Total 

% of 

total 

landings 

sampled

Fisheries 

considered in 

the National 

Bycatch 

Report

Regional 

bycatch 

ratio a,b

Fisheries 

not 

considered 

in the 

National 

Bycatch 

Report Total

Northeast 1,006,370,000 385,816,000 1,392,186,000 72 165,888,000 0.14 77,651,000 243,539,000

Southeast 219,086,000 1,093,033,000 1,312,119,000 17 682,691,000 0.76 219,987,000 902,678,000

Alaska 4,487,167,000 1,164,140,000 5,651,307,000 79 338,573,000 0.07 234,299,000 572,872,000

Northwest 332,396,000 523,464,000 855,860,000 39 25,564,000 0.07 105,354,000 130,918,000

Southwest – 367,830,000 367,830,000 0 Not available – 74,031,000 74,031,000

Pacific Islands 23,000,000 9,244,000 32,244,000 71 8,556,000 0.27 1,860,000 10,416,000

National totals 6,068,019,000 3,543,527,000 9,611,546,000 63 1,221,272,000 0.17 713,182,000 1,934,454,000

a Regional bycatch ratios are for fisheries included in this report only.

b Weights derived using the calculated bycatch ratio of 0.167543 and the formula bycatch / (bycatch + landings).

ased in favor of fisheries with high discards and this would 

result in an overall overestimate of bycatch. This type of 

positive bias is also likely for the Harrington et al. (2005) 

report, which also included a subset of fisheries.

Since both reports drew information from a smaller subset of fisheries than this report and, apparently, were more 

likely to include information on fisheries with noteworthy 

bycatch concerns, higher overall bycatch ratio estimates 

might be expected. Since this report is more comprehenTable 2

Fish landings and bycatch by NMFS region for fisheries included, and 

estimated regional bycatch ratios.

Reference

Year of 

source data

Total bycatch 

estimate (lb) Total landings (lb) Bycatch ratio

National Bycatch Report (2011) 2005 1,934,454,000 9,611,546,000 0.17

FAO (Kelleher 2004) a 2002 2,045,006,000 7,373,224,000 0.22

Harrington et al (2005) a 2002–03 2,332,894,000 8,194,516,000 0.22

a Converted from metric tons.

Table 3

Comparison of fish bycatch estimates for U.S. commercial fisheries from 

the National Bycatch Report with previously published estimates. Bycatch ratios are calculated as the total bycatch divided by the total catch 

(bycatch plus landings). 

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 9 2/5/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

sive, the bycatch ratio estimate in this report should be 

considered to be the best estimate currently available. It 

is apparent that the authors of the FAO (Kelleher 2004) 

and Harrington et al. (2005) reports encountered considerable difficulty in obtaining comprehensive and accurate 

catch and bycatch data and found it necessary to make extrapolations based on a range of assumptions. This report, 

while drawing on more data, also required extrapolation 

of estimates for some fisheries and species due to data 

limitations. This serves to emphasize the need for reporting of accurate and comprehensive information of the type 

presented here, and the importance of updating this report 

frequently and expanding its scope as information on additional U.S. fisheries becomes available. 

Bycatch estimates for marine mammals, sea turtles, and 

seabirds were recently reported by Moore et al. (2009), 

who estimated total national bycatch only for marine mammals. This estimate was 3,029–3,187 animals annually for 

the period 1990–99, while our estimate is 1,887 animals 

annually (a baseline of 2005 data was used, plus data from 

a range of years). Because the data presented in Moore 

et al. (2009) were based on averages across a time-frame 

earlier than that utilized in this report, a direct comparison 

with estimates presented herein is not possible. In a broad 

comparison, the U.S. National Bycatch Report contains 

lower bycatch estimates, but this report does not speculate 

as to why the estimates are different. 

Fishery bycatch estimates

Fishery bycatch ratios were calculated only for a subset of 

the fisheries considered during preparation of this report 

(63 of 152 fisheries; 41.5%) due to limitations in available 

data, as explained in the body of the report. Each fishery 

bycatch ratio was calculated as the total bycatch of all species caught within a fishery, divided by the total catch (bycatch plus landings of all species) for that fishery. Fisheries 

with bycatch ratios greater than 0.17 (the median of available fishery bycatch ratios) were designated as fisheries 

of focus, indicating a potential bycatch concern. Bycatch 

ratios for the fisheries included here range from 0.0 to 0.76, 

and vary by region (note that fishery bycatch ratios are for 

bycatch of fish only; bycatch of protected species is discussed in the next sections). 

In general, the fisheries with the highest bycatch ratios 

were bottom trawl and bottom longline fisheries (Figures 4 

and 5A). Relatively high bycatch ratios were estimated for 

some Alaska and Northeast bottom trawl fisheries and for 

the Southeast Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery; these 

ratios should, however, be considered in the context of 

overall fishing operations within each region. For example, 

bottom trawl fishing represents a small fraction of overall 

trawl fishing effort in Alaska (midwater trawl fishing effort 

is markedly higher); primary discards from Northeast trawl 

fisheries are non-marketable species bycaught when targeting commercially important species; and shrimp trawling effort in the Gulf of Mexico has declined substantially 

in recent years. The highest bycatch ratios among bottom 

longline fisheries occurred in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery; the BSAI Greenland turbot longline fishery; and the 

Northeast bottom longline fishery. Pelagic longline fisheries (Figure 5B) had lower bycatch ratios than some bottom longline fisheries. However, the average bycatch ratio 

for pelagic longline fisheries was similar to that of bottom 

longline fisheries (0.25 and 0.23, respectively). 

In the Northeast Region, bycatch ratios were also high for 

several large-mesh gillnet5 fisheries (Figure 6). These included the New England large-mesh and extra-large-mesh 

gillnet fisheries, and the mid-Atlantic extra-large-mesh gillnet fishery. Bycatch ratios were generally lowest for fisheries using more selective gear types, such as troll, pot and 

traps, dredge, and jig gear (Figure 7). The federally managed West Coast salmon troll fisheries were the only fisheries using other gear types that had bycatch ratios above 

the cutoff value of 0.17 (0.23 and 0.19 for non-tribal and 

tribal fisheries, respectively).

5Gillnet size categories for the Northeast Region include small (mesh size 

less than 5.5 inches), large (mesh size 5.5 inches or greater but less than 

8 inches), and extra-large (mesh size greater than 8 inches).

Strategic offal discarding is a seabird bycatch reduction measure required in some parts of the Hawaii longline fishery.

Credit: NMFS

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 4

Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial trawl fisheries by NMFS 

region (2005 data). The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish Group 

(arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, and other flatfish) trawl fishery 

has been abbreviated as “BSAI Flatfish Group Trawl.”

Gulf of Alaska sablefish trawl

Gulf of Alaska deepwater flatfish trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands pollock trawl

Mid-Atlantic mid-water otter trawl

New England mid-water otter trawl

Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl

New England shrimp trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific ocean perch (trawl)

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod trawl

Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands sablefish trawl

Aleutian Islands/East Bering Sea Atka mackerel trawl

Mid-Atlantic general category scallop trawl

Mid-Atlantic small-mesh otter trawl

Gulf of Alaska arrowtooth flounder trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands yellowfin sole trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod trawl

Mid-Atlantic large-mesh otter trawl

New England large-mesh otter trawl

New England small-mesh otter trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands rock sole trawl

West Coast limited-entry bottom trawl; groundfish bottom trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands flatfish group trawl

Gulf of Alaska flatfish (shallow water flatfish) trawl

New England US/Canada area small-mesh otter trawl

New England US/Canada area large-mesh otter trawl

New England B-Reg DAS large-mesh otter trawl

Gulf of Alaska rex sole trawl

Gulf of Alaska flathead sole trawl

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70

Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl

0.80

NORTHEAST

SOUTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Figure 5A Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial bottom longline fisheries by NMFS region (2005 data).

Figure 5B Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial pelagic longline fisheries by NMFS region (2005 data). 

New England haddock sector longline

West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear: non-endorsed fixed gear

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod longline

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod longline

West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear: 

limited-entry sablefish-endorsed fixed gear

New England bottom longline

Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot longline

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands sablefish longline

Fishery bycatch ratio

NORTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS

pelagic longline

Hawaii-based deep-set pelagic

longline fishery (tuna)

Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic

longline fishery (swordfish)

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35

PACIFIC ISLANDS

SOUTHEAST

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 6 Fish bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial gillnet fisheries by NMFS region (2005 data).

Figure 7 Fish bycatch ratios for fisheries using gears other than trawls, longlines, and gillnets by NMFS region (2005 data).

New England extralarge-mesh gillnet

Mid-Atlantic extralarge-mesh gillnet

New England 

large-mesh gillnet

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35

NORTHEAST

0.15 0.20 0.25

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod jig

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod jig

West Coast mid-water trawl for whiting, at-sea processing

New England purse seine

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot

New England limited access closed area scallop dredge

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot

New England hand line

New England general category open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atlantic limited access open area scallop dredge

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands sablefish pot

New England limited access open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atlantic general category open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atlantic limited access closed area scallop dredge

New England general category closed area scallop dredge

West Coast salmon troll, tribal ocean

West Coast salmon troll, non-tribal ocean

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.05 0.10

NORTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

STOCK BYCATCH ESTIMATES

Fish bycatch 

While the number of fish bycatch estimates varies by region, estimates are reported for a total of 480 fish stocks 

nationwide (“stock” is used broadly within this report to include stocks, populations, and species groups). Stock bycatch ratios6 were available for only 93 (19.4%) of these, 

principally because for some fisheries, only numeric bycatch estimates were available (precluding calculation of 

weight-based ratios); or total catch-weight estimates were 

available only for species groups (where the group members were undefined), so that individual stock-specific ratios 

could not be calculated. Developing conversion factors to 

estimate bycatch by weight and resolving grouping issues 

are recommended by this report, and should increase the 

number of stocks for which bycatch ratios are available.

Stock bycatch ratios ranged from 0.01 to 1.0. It is difficult to 

compare bycatch estimates across regions due to the large 

number of stocks included in this report and differences in 

the quantity and quality of data among regions, as well as 

the fact that the same stock may be bycaught in multiple 

regions. Stocks with bycatch ratios greater than 0.127 (the 

median of available stock bycatch ratios), and which met 

certain criteria for management importance, were designated as key stocks (Figure 8). 

It is important to evaluate stock bycatch ratios and key stock 

classifications in relation to other factors, such as landings, 

management regulations, and public concern. For example, the highest fish bycatch ratios for Pacific Island stocks 

were for ocean sunfish (1.0) and escolar (0.88).7 The high 

6That is, the ratio of bycatch of a single stock to total catch of that stock 

(within a region), versus a fishery bycatch ratio (as discussed in the previous section), which refers to the ratio of total fishery bycatch to total 

fishery catch.

7Marketability of escloar bycatch (landed as Hawaiian butterfish) has increased over the past decade, and it is expected that bycatch ratios are 

currently lower.

ratios for these stocks reflect how seldom they are landed 

(a high ratio can occur when a stock is landed very rarely 

in relation to the frequency of catch). Thus, a stock may 

have a high bycatch ratio but it may not necessarily call for 

concern. These considerations and others, such as overfished/overfishing status, were taken into account during 

the selection of key stocks.

Stocks with the highest bycatch ratios were captured in 

bottom trawl, longline, and gillnet fisheries, including the following:

•	 Groundfish species, including windowpane flounder 

(0.91), Atlantic halibut (0.45), spiny dogfish (0.90), red 

hake (0.78), offshore hake (0.42), silver hake (0.27), and 

monkfish (0.18), are major bycaught species in the New 

England and mid-Atlantic otter trawl and gillnet fisheries.

•	 Atlantic croaker, Gulf of Mexico stock (0.90), is a major bycaught species in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl 

fishery.

•	 Arrowtooth flounder (0.44), rock sole (0.32), and flathead 

sole (0.23) are bycaught species in Alaska Region flatfish trawl fisheries. However, biomass estimates of arrowtooth flounder are three times the Bmsy level, with 

stocks continuing to increase in abundance. In 2005 the 

species was not considered marketable for human consumption but the industry continues to develop markets 

for this species to reduce the amount of discard. 

•	 Northwest Region species with high bycatch ratios include cowcod (0.97), boccacio (0.79), spiny dogfish 

(0.70), lingcod (0.69), canary rockfish (0.68), and arrowtooth flounder (0.40), the majority of which are taken in 

the bottom trawl fishery.8

8In 2005, it was prohibited to retain cowcod in all sectors of the groundfish 

fishery. Bocaccio and canary rockfish had very restrictive retention limits 

in some sectors of the groundfish fishery and were prohibited in others, 

but some overall retention was still allowed in the 2005 fishery.

Longline fishery bycatch: a bigeye thresher shark.

Credit: NMFS

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 8

Fish stocks with fish bycatch ratios greater than 0.127 by NMFS region (2005 data). * indicates a key stock. GOM = Gulf of Mexico.

Redfish*

Sablefish

Shortfin squid, northern*

Yellowtail flounder*

Blue rockfish*

American plaice*

Monkfish*

Pacific ocean perch*

Shortspine thornyhead*

Southern flounder — GOM

Great barracuda

Summer flounder*

English sole*

Flathead sole 

Black marlin

Darkblotched rockfish*

Silver hake*

Pacific halibut*

Kelp greenling*

California sheephead

Rock sole

Cabezon*

Widow rockfish*

Albacore — S. Atlantic

Arrowtooth flounder

Offshore hake*

Arrowtooth flounder

Chilipepper rockfish

Atl. halibut*

Bluefin tuna — W. Atlantic*

Canary rockfish*

Butterfish*

Lingcod*

Spiny dogfish*

Atlantic croaker — GOM

Red hake*

Bocaccio*

Escolar

Spiny dogfish*

Windowpane flounder*

Cowcod*

Ocean pout*

Ocean sunfish

Stock bycatch ratio

0.00 0.100 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

NORTHEAST

SOUTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

PACIFIC ISLANDS

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

•	 Black marlin (0.24) and great barracuda (0.20), although 

they had high bycatch ratios, were rejected as key stocks 

due to low regional concern regarding these infrequently 

caught or landed species. 

Marine mammal bycatch

Bycatch estimates for marine mammals, based on numbers 

of lethal takes and serious injuries, were calculated for 39 

fisheries and totaled 1,887 animals from 54 stocks (Figures 

9 and 10). The Northeast Region calculated marine mammal bycatch for 13 fisheries. This included 6 marine mammal stocks and a total bycatch estimate of 1,287 animals. 

The Pacific Islands Region calculated marine mammal 

bycatch for two fisheries, which encompassed 15 marine 

mammal stocks with a total of 26 bycaught animals.

Figure 9

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal takes + serious injuries) for stocks with 

10 or more bycaught animals by NMFS region. * indicates key stocks. The 

baseline year of data used in this report was 2005; however, for some 

rare-event species data from a range of years were used to generate a 

bycatch estimate. GOA = Gulf of Alaska.

The highest estimated marine mammal bycatch occurred 

in the Northeast Region and was comprised of harbor porpoise (652 animals), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (355), 

common dolphin (151), and long- and short-finned pilot 

whales (65). In the Southeast Region, bycatch of long- and 

short-finned pilot whales (135 animals) and the Western 

North Atlantic stock of Risso’s dolphin (46) are being addressed through the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction 

Plan. The Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan addresses both Southeast Region (105 animals) and Northeast Region (61) stocks of bottlenose dolphins. Bycatch of 

marine mammals in the Alaska, Northwest, and Southwest 

Regions is primarily composed of harbor porpoise in Alaska (36 animals), California sea lions in the Northwest and 

Southwest Regions (34 and 32, respectively), and northern 

right whale dolphins in the Southwest Region (18).

Northern right whale dolphin — CA-OR-WA*

California sea lion

Harbor porpoise — GOA*

Risso's dolphin — W. N. Atlantic*

California sea lion — U.S.*

Bottlenose dolphin — W. N. Atlantic coastal stock*

Pilot whale (long- and short-finned)

Bottlenose dolphin — W. N. Atlantic coastal stock*

Pilot whale (long- and short-finned)*

Common dolphin, short-beaked — CA-OR-WA

Common dolphin, short-beaked — W. N. Atlantic*

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — W. N. Atlantic*

Harbor porpoise — Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy*

Bycatch (individual animals)

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

NORTHEAST

SOUTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

SOUTHWEST

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 10

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal takes + serious injuries) for stocks with fewer than 10 bycaught 

animals by NMFS region. * indicates key stocks. The baseline year of data used in this report was 

2005; however, for some rare-event species data from a range of years were used to generate a 

bycatch estimate. Data for marine mammal bycatch, which is considered a statistically rare event, 

are averaged over a number of years, occasionally resulting in a bycatch estimate that is a fraction. 

Note: zero estimates are not included in this figure, but are included in the regional chapters.

Humpback whale — W. N. Pacific*

Humpback whale* (outside EEZ)

Bottlenose dolphin (outside EEZ)

Harbor porpoise — Bering Sea

Bearded seal*

Killer whale — GOA and BSAI transient*

Blainville's beaked whale (inside EEZ)

Gray whale

Blainville's beaked whale (outside EEZ)

Northern elephant seal

Beaked whale — unidentified (outside EEZ)

Northern fur seal*

Ringed seal*

Bottlenose dolphin (inside EEZ)

Short-finned pilot whale (inside EEZ)

Pilot whale, short-finned — CA-OR-WA*

Ribbon seal*

Spotted seal*

Harbor seal

Cetacean — unidentified (inside EEZ)

Striped dolphin (inside EEZ)

Short-finned pilot whale (outside EEZ)

Risso's dolphin (outside EEZ)

Dall's porpoise — AK

Harbor seal — Bering Sea

Killer whale — E. N. Pacific AK resident*

Pacific walrus*

Humpback whale — Central N. Pacific*

Steller sea lion*

Risso's dolphin — W. N. Atlantic

False killer or short-finned pilot whale — unidentified* (Inside EEZ)

Pacific white sided dolphin — CA-OR-WA, N. and S.

False killer whale* (inside EEZ)

Risso's dolphin — CA-OR-WA

Spotted dolphin, Atlantic — W. N. Atlantic

Spotted dolphin, pantropical — W. N. Atlantic*

False killer whale (outside EEZ)

N. elephant seal — CA breeding

Common dolphin, long-beaked — CA-OR-WA

Steller sea lion — western

Bycatch (individual animals)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

NORTHEAST

SOUTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

SOUTHWEST

PACIFIC ISLANDS

8 9 10

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Sea turtle bycatch

Bycatch estimates for sea turtles were calculated for 21 

fisheries, and included all U.S. sea turtle populations, with 

a total of 11,772 individual animals (Figure 11). Sea turtle 

bycatch estimates were not calculated for Alaskan fisheries, since sea turtles do not typically occur in this region. 

Also, sea turtle bycatch was not observed in any Northwest 

Region fisheries. The highest sea turtle bycatch estimates 

were for the Southeast Region, with estimates reported for 

ten fisheries and four sea turtle populations (and also for 

unidentified turtles), with a total sea turtle bycatch estimate 

of 10,671 individuals (shrimp trawl fishery estimates only 

included mortalities). Most bycaught sea turtles were loggerhead (5,209 animals), Kemp’s ridley (4,222), and leatherback (537). These turtles were bycaught mainly in the 

reef fish, Atlantic pelagic longline, and Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fisheries.9 Note that 

the proportion of the stocks that these estimates represent 

is unknown because of the general lack of population size 

estimates for sea turtles. 

9Bycatch estimates from the 2002 shrimp trawl fishery biological opinion 

(NMFS 2002). Since that time, effort in the shrimp fishery, and related 

bycatch, has decreased substantially.

Seabird bycatch

Bycatch of seabirds was estimated for 25 fisheries and totaled 7,769 animals with 28 individual estimates, including 

estimates for unidentified animals (Figure 12). Bycatch estimates were not calculated for the Northeast and Southwest Regions, although seabird data are collected by observer programs in these regions. This information will be 

analyzed and included in future editions of this report.

The highest reported bycatch levels were for the Alaska 

Region, which reported seabird bycatch in 19 fisheries, 

representing 12 seabird populations and totaling 7,280 

seabirds. The major species of seabirds bycaught in the 

Alaska Region included northern fulmar (3,427 animals), 

gulls (2,101), shearwater (595), Laysan albatross (216), 

and unidentified seabirds (589; Figure 12). The majority of 

these seabirds were caught by trawl and longline fisheries. 

The Alaska Region has initiated cooperative work among 

industry, NMFS, Sea Grant, and the State of Alaska to develop gear modifications to reduce bycatch of seabirds. 

In addition, several studies have established methods to 

reduce seabird bycatch using streamers, which are now 

required by Federal regulation. 

Figure 11

Bycatch estimates include mortalities and live releases for sea turtles. 

The baseline year of data used in this report was 2005; however, for some 

rare-event species data from a range of years were used to generate a 

bycatch estimate. Note that bycatch estimates for the Southeast and Gulf 

of Mexico shrimp trawl fisheries are from the 2002 shrimp trawl fishery biological opinion (NMFS 2002). Since 2002, effort and associated bycatch 

in the shrimp trawl fisheries have decreased substantially. Not shown is 

the bycatch of one olive ridley sea turtle in the Southwest Region. 

537

659

1,062

4,222

5,209

45 (Southeast)

0

1,0002,0003,0004,0005,000

6,000

Loggerhead sea turtle

Leatherback sea turtle

Olive ridley sea turtle

Unidentified turtles

Leatherback sea turtle

Green sea turtle

Loggerhead sea turtle

Kemp's ridley sea turtle

Loggerhead sea turtle

Bycatch (individual animals)

NORTHEAST

SOUTHEAST

PACIFIC ISLANDS

10 (Pacific Islands)

16 (Pacific Islands)

12 (Pacific Islands)

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 18 2/5/12 
19

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Estimated seabird bycatch in the Southeast Region totaled 

18610 animals, with the highest bycatch of greater shearwater (75), gulls (61), northern gannet (44), and Wilson’s 

storm petrel (24; Figure 12). The majority of these seabirds 

were bycaught in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico highly 

migratory species pelagic longline fishery and the South 

Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic longline fishery. In the 

10The estimation of total seabird bycatch was performed separately from 

the individual -species estimates, thus the individual species estimates 

do not sum to 186.

Northwest, seabird bycatch totaled 106 animals, with the 

main species being black-footed albatross (59) and brown 

pelican (36). In the Pacific Islands, at total of 197 seabirds 

were reported as bycatch, with Laysan (105 animals) and 

black-footed albatross (89) having the highest bycatch levels. The only species with bycatch estimates of zero was a 

key stock, the short-tailed albatross (estimates of zero for the 

Alaska and Pacific Islands Regions—not shown in Figure 12). 

Figure 12

Estimated seabird bycatch by NMFS region. * indicates a key stock. The baseline year of 

data used in this report was 2005; however, for some rare-event species data from a range of 

years were used to generate the bycatch estimate. Note: zero estimates are not included.

Unidentified seabird

Common murre

Sooty shearwater

Northern fulmar

Brown booby*

Unidentified gull

Red-legged kittiwake*

Unspecified seabirds

Unidentified albatross

Wilson's storm petrel

Other seabird

Brown pelican*

Northern gannet

Unidentified shearwaters and petrels

Black-Footed albatross*

Gull

Black-footed albatross*

Greater shearwaters

Black-footed albatross*

Laysan albatross*

Alcid

Laysan albatross

Unidentified seabirds

Shearwater

Gull

Northern fulmar

Bycatch (individual animals)

2 (Northwest)

2 (Northwest)

2 (Northwest)

2 (Northwest)

3 (Pacific Islands)

4 (Northwest)

4 (Alaska)

6 (Southeast)

7 (Alaska)

SOUTHEAST

ALASKA

NORTHWEST

PACIFIC ISLANDS

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 19 2/5/12 
20

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

This report identifies eight national and regional recommendations to improve bycatch data collection and estimation. Maintenance and expansion of existing observer programs and implementation of new observer programs for 

fisheries and species with bycatch concerns are of particular importance. Funding levels for all existing regional observer programs, as of 2008, totaled $53.1 M (Federal and 

industry funds). Many specific recommendations are made 

to improve observer program data, supplemental data, and 

analytical techniques within each region; these recommendations are summarized here, and are presented in detail 

in the regional sections of Section 4. It was not possible to 

prioritize recommendations across regions due to the diversity in fisheries, management needs, and other factors. 

Eight national-level recommendations are provided below. 

These focus on improving data and estimation quality for 

fisheries and species considered in this edition of the U.S. 

National Bycatch Report, and on considering additional 

fisheries and species in future editions of the report. All 

recommendations should be considered high-priority, although some could be implemented relatively quickly and 

inexpensively, while others would require considerable investment of time and financial resources. As more fisheries and species are evaluated and reported, it is likely that 

additional resource needs will be identified.

Table 4

Resources needed to implement recommendations for 

improving bycatch data collection and estimation.a

Resources a

 National 

Observer 

Program Northeast Southeast Alaska Northwest Southwest

Pacific 

Islands Total

Days-at-sea (DAS) b

needed to maintain current 

observer programs

na 13,208 4,085 39,000 4,596 329 9,739 70,957

DAS needed to expand 

current observer programs na 16,181 e 11,790 29,160 792 430 855 59,208

DAS needed to implement 

new observer programs na 615 5,752 0 f 1,058 20 0 7,445

Full-time staff needed to 

implement improvements 

to estimation methods c

10 d 17 7 13 1 1 6 55

a Some recommendations may require additional resources such as equipment or staff support, which are not itemized. 

b DAS estimates for maintaining and expanding current observer programs are based on 2008 figures. 

c Observer program staffing and administrative needs are included when budgeting the cost for DAS and are not included in Table 4.

d Staffing support would not be directly for the National Observer Program, but would be used to assist with implementation of national recommendations.

e DAS estimate for the Northeast Region includes both fish and protected species needs; in some cases, this DAS estimate could be shared, and thus the 

overall number of DAS would be reduced.

f For the Alaska Region, much of the increased coverage would be applied to fisheries and vessels that have not previously been observed.

LOOKING AHEAD: 

IMPROVING BYCATCH DATA 

COLLECTION AND ESTIMATION

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 20 2/5/12 
21

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Recommendation #1: 

Develop and adopt best 

practices for estimating bycatch

in U.S. commercial fisheries. 

Methods for estimating bycatch vary by region and fishery. 

While all methods have been subjected to some level of 

review, many have not been formally peer reviewed. Further work to evaluate and improve current methods and 

to develop new approaches will lead to establishment of 

best practices, including procedures for estimation of variance and methods for extrapolating estimates from small 

sample sizes. Where count-based methods are currently 

employed, weight-based approaches should be developed 

and implemented. Improving the quantity and quality of bycatch estimates is essential to support information needs 

for management of commercial fisheries and protected 

resources. Providing measures of uncertainty associated 

with bycatch estimates is important for tracking improvements in both estimation methods and bycatch trends.

Recommendation #2: 

Improve national and 

regional catch databases.

Estimation of bycatch rates requires reliable information 

on total catch at the stock level. Inconsistencies between 

regional and national databases impeded estimation of 

stock bycatch ratios in a number of instances. Overall database improvements are necessary to resolve this problem. These improvements will enhance both quality and 

timeliness of bycatch estimates, as well as consistency of 

estimates made by different researchers.

Recommendation #3: 

Review and modify the tier classification 

system for application to commercial and 

recreational fisheries included in future 

editions of the U.S. National Bycatch Report.

Future editions of the U.S. National Bycatch Report should 

include bycatch estimates for additional commercial and 

recreational fisheries. The tier classification system developed in this report should be modified as necessary and 

applied to additional fisheries where possible. Coordination will be required with state, tribal, and international organizations to ensure accuracy and consistency. In order 

to maximize the usefulness of the tier system for tracking 

change and highlighting requirements for improvement, it 

will need to be as comprehensive as possible.

Recommendation #4: 

Increase the number of fishery 

and species bycatch estimates 

in future editions of the 

U.S. National Bycatch Report. 

•	 Commercial fisheries bycatch estimates: Efforts 

should be made to develop bycatch estimates for all commercial fisheries where the necessary data are available. 

These estimates should be included in future editions 

of the U.S. National Bycatch Report. In the longer term, 

new data-collection programs should be implemented 

as a basis for bycatch estimation in those commercial 

fisheries identified as requiring bycatch monitoring. 

•	 Recreational fisheries bycatch estimates: Inclusion 

of recreational bycatch estimates is necessary to estimate overall bycatch mortality for some species. Development of appropriate bycatch data-collection and analytical methods should be encouraged and supported. 

•	 Bycatch estimates for key stocks: Lack of bycatch 

estimates for some of the key stocks identified in this 

report is of particular concern. Development of bycatch 

estimates for these stocks should be prioritized and 

these estimates should be included in future editons of 

the U.S. National Bycatch Report. 

Additional stock- and fishery-specific bycatch estimates in 

future editons of the U.S. National Bycatch Report will provide new information to the public on the overall status of 

bycatch in the Nation’s fisheries. Scientists and managers 

will be able to make use of this information for assessment 

and management, to evaluate the effectiveness of bycatch 

reduction measures, and to identify areas where improved 

management and/or innovative bycatch reduction methods 

are required.

Recommendation #5: 

Implement specific bycatch 

data-collection and estimation 

improvements in regional programs.

Several recommendations are made for improving bycatch 

data-collection and estimation within the regions. These 

include discard mortality studies; outreach; database infrastructure improvements; and collection and processing of 

supplemental data, especially logbook, VMS, and strandings and entanglement data, which are often essential for 

estimating bycatch. These types of data are required in 

many bycatch estimation approaches but are often lacking 

or of poor quality. Thus these improvements will result in 

overall improvements in bycatch data quality and the number of fisheries and stocks for which bycatch estimates are 

available. 

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 21 2/5/12 
22

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Recommendation #6: 

Maintain and expand existing 

regional observer programs.

Observer programs have been implemented in all NMFS 

regions; observer data are considered to be the most reliable source for bycatch estimation. Many U.S. observer 

programs are at suboptimal coverage levels, which vary 

depending on the characteristics of a fishery and the species of interest. Specific recommendations for maintaining 

and expanding observer coverage to optimal levels in existing programs are made in the regional sections. Maintenance of these programs is essential for ongoing estimation of bycatch and evaluation of mitigation measures. 

Expanding coverage of existing observer programs will 

improve the accuracy and precision of bycatch estimates 

in many instances. 

Recommendation #7: 

Implement new observer programs 

for fisheries and species with 

bycatch concerns.

New observer programs are recommended in most regions, for a total of 32 fisheries. These fisheries were 

identified through the fisheries of focus section process 

described in Section 3 (e.g., fisheries with a high bycatch 

ratio and bycatch of key stocks, or fisheries were identified 

through the qualitative process). Pilot observer coverage 

has been recommended by the relevant regional team as 

an initial step to address bycatch concerns in several instances. Recommendations for new observer programs 

also include electronic monitoring in some regions. Implementing new pilot observer programs will provide information on bycatch in fisheries where bycatch information is 

currently unavailable or available only in the form of unverified industry reports. 

Recommendation #8: 

Evaluate electronic monitoring 

systems, conduct pilot studies, and 

operationalize electronic monitoring 

technology where appropriate.

Use of video cameras and other electronic data acquisition 

systems has increased markedly during the last decade. 

Electronic monitoring has been used successfully for compliance monitoring and verification of self-reporting, and 

can provide useful information on catch quantity and composition, although species identification is only possible in 

some instances. The approach holds promise for addressing certain objectives (e.g., monitoring for compliance with 

discard prohibitions) and should be able to provide more 

detailed information on catch and bycatch composition as 

the technologies advance.

CONCLUSIONS

The recommendations included in this report provide guidance to the NMFS in setting priorities for maintaining existing bycatch data-collection programs, expanding programs where more reliable bycatch information is needed, 

and implementing new bycatch data-collection programs 

for fisheries with potential bycatch concerns. Implementation of these recommendations will assist NMFS to increase baseline knowledge of bycatch levels, help identify 

fisheries and/or species with potential bycatch concerns, 

and improve the monitoring of bycatch levels over time. Improved bycatch estimates will support the implementation 

of MSA-required annual catch limits and new management 

approaches such as catch-share programs, and in general 

will aid NMFS in addressing fishery-specific conservation 

and management concerns.

Two performance measures have been developed from the 

information compiled in this report: 1) the tier classification 

system, which will be used to monitor the quality of bycatch 

estimates in U.S. commercial fisheries; and 2) a list of key 

stocks, which will be used to monitor bycatch trends over 

time. These performance measures will assist NMFS in 

continuing to improve the effectiveness of bycatch monitoring programs, as well as reducing bycatch in key fisheries. 

This is the first in a series of U.S. National Bycatch Reports. This edition contains bycatch estimates for federally managed commercial fisheries or with relevant federal 

data-collection programs. Future editions will include timely and periodic updates of bycatch estimates for federal 

fisheries, as well as estimates for state, international, and 

tribal fisheries where data are available. Inclusion of bycatch estimates for stocks with high recreational bycatch 

mortality will also be considered. Over time, the U.S. National Bycatch Report will provide NMFS, other fisheries 

management organizations, and the public with reliable 

bycatch estimates for all living marine resources, which 

can be used to more effectively meet NMFS’ stewardship 

mission.

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 22 2/5/12 
23

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

REGIONAL

BYCATCH

FACT

SHEETS

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 23 2/5/12 
24

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fast facts: 

•	 A total of 63 commercial fisheries are included 

in this report for the Northeast Region.

•	 Landings from all Northeast fisheries were 

valued at approximately $1.4 billion in 2005.

•	 Thirteen FMPs regulate the harvest of 

federally managed species in the Northeast 

Region. 

•	 An observer program monitors 33 of the 63 

fisheries.

•	 Fish bycatch estimates are available for 25 

fisheries and 34 species or species groups.

•	 Protected species bycatch estimates are 

available for 13 fisheries and 7 species or 

species groups. 

0

20,000,000

40,000,000

60,000,000

80,000,000

100,000,000

120,000,000

140,000,000

160,000,000

180,000,000

Mid-Atl. mid-water otter trawl

New Engl. mid-water otter trawl

New Engl. shrimp trawl

New Engl. purse seine

New Engl. lim. access clsd. area scallop dredge

New Engl. hand line

New Engl. general cat. open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atl. lim. access open area scallop dredge

New Engl. lim. access open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atl. general cat. open area scallop dredge

New Engl. haddock sector longline

Mid-Atl. lim. access clsd. area scallop dredge

New Engl. gen. cat. closed area scallop dredge

Mid-Atl. gen. cat. scallop trawl

New Engl. extra-large-mesh gillnet

Mid-Atl. extra-large-mesh gillnet

New Engl. bottom longline

Mid-Atl. small-mesh otter trawl

Mid-Atl. large-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. large-mesh gillnet

New Engl. large-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. small-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. US/CAN-area small-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. US/CAN-area large-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. B-Reg DAS large-mesh otter trawl

Weight in pounds

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

0.50

Bycatch ratio

Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Northeast Regon

Bycatch

Landings

Fishery bycatch ratio

Northeast 

Region

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 24 2/5/12 
25

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fish and invertebrates

Bycatch 

estimate (lb) b

Bycatch 

ratio

American plaice 667,000 0.18

Atlantic cod 1,920,000 0.12

Atlantic halibut 30,000 0.45

Atlantic salmon 0 *

Black sea bass 188,000 0.07

Butterfish 2,173,000 0.69

Haddock 1,190,000 0.07

Monkfish 9,100,000 0.18

Ocean pout 346,000 0.98

Offshore hake 21,000 0.42

Red hake 3,371,000 0.78

Redfish 186,000 0.13

Scup 1,207,000 0.11

Shortfin squid, northern 3,507,000 0.13

Shortnose sturgeon 0 *

Silver hake 6,083,000 0.27

Skate complex 

 (multiple species) 79,561,000 *

Spiny dogfish 21,471,000 0.90

Summer flounder 3,250,000 0.20

Windowpane flounder 1,865,000 0.91

Yellowtail flounder 1,511,000 0.14

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) b

Atlantic white-sided dolphin 355

Blue whale *

Bottlenose dolphin, western North 

 Atlantic coastal stock 61

Common dolphin 151

Fin whale *

Harbor porpoise 652

Humpback whale *

North Atlantic right whale *

Pilot whale (long- and short-finned) 65

Sei whale *

Sperm whale *

Green sea turtle *

Hawksbill sea turtle *

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle *

Leatherback sea turtle *

Loggerhead sea turtle 1,062

Cahow (Bermuda petrel) *

Red-throated loon, Atlantic *

Roseate tern, northeast nesting 

 population *

Bycatch reduction success stories (2005 to present):

•	 "Weak links" are required on the surface system of gillnet and trap/pot fishing gear to reduce the risk of 

whales becoming entangled, injured, or killed. 

•	 "Chain mats" are required in the Atlantic sea scallop dredge fishery to reduce the severity (i.e., mortality 

and injury) of sea turtle interactions with the gear.

•	 Implementation of acoustic deterrent devices (known as “pingers”) on fishing gear in the Northeast gillnet fishery within seasonal management areas under the Gulf of Maine Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction 

Plan reduced harbor porpoise bycatch interactions with gillnet gear by 92%.

•	 The Ruhle Trawl (World Wildlife Fund SmartGear competition winner) reduced bycatch in stocks of 

concern while catch of the target species did not significantly change (catch ratio of haddock to cod improved from 3:1 in the control net to 20:1 in the test trawl, and skate bycatch was reduced by 98%).

Bycatch of Northeast Region key stocks in 2005 a

aTotal # of key stocks for Northeast = 55; in some cases estimates are available only at the species (or species group) level and cannot be assigned to the 

appropriate key stock. Therefore, there are fewer than 55 bycatch estimates listed in this table. A full list of Northeast Region key stocks is included in Section 4.1. (Note: bycatch estimates of rare-event species may incorporate data from a range of years)

bEstimates have been rounded.

*Indicates that landings were not available for a species (or species is not landed, as for protected species), bycatch was not observed, or was observed but 

no estimate is available, or bycatch and landings were in different units, so no bycatch ratio could be developed (fish). Please see Section 4.1 for further 

information.

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 25 2/5/12 
26

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fast facts: 

•	 A total of 48 commercial fisheries are included 

in this report for the Southeast Region.

•	 Landings from all Southeast fisheries were 

valued at approximately $756 million in 2005.

•	 Seventeen FMPs regulate the harvest of federally managed species in the Southeast Region. 

•	 Observer programs are in place for 12 of the 

48 fisheries.

•	 Fish bycatch estimates are available for 9 fisheries and 214 species or species groups.

•	 Protected species bycatch estimates are available for 10 fisheries and 12 species or species 

groups.

Southeast 

Region

Fish bycatch and landings by fishery in the Southeast Region

(* indicates bycatch data in number of individuals, no bycatch ratio possible)

0

50,000,000

100,000,000

150,000,000

200,000,000

Atl. and GOM HMS pelagic longline

GOM shrimp trawl

Atl. and GOM shark bottom longline*

GOM coastal migratory pelagic troll*

GOM reef fish bottom longline*

GOM reef fish handline*

S. Atl. coastal migratory pelagic troll*

S. Atl. snapper-grouper handline*

Shark gillnet*

Weight in pounds

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

Bycatch ratio

Bycatch

Landings

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.70

700,000,000 0.80

600,000,000

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 26 2/5/12 
27

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bycatch of Southeast Region key stocks in 2005 a

Fish and invertebrates

Bycatch 

estimate b Unit

Bycatch 

ratio

Bigeye tuna, S. Atlantic 33,000 Pounds 0.08

Black grouper 72,000 Individuals *

Black sea bass 

 (multiple stocks) 15,000 Individuals *

Black sea bass, S. Atlantic 10 Individuals *

Black snapper 10 Individuals *

Blackfin snapper 300 Individuals *

Blue marlin, S. Atlantic 54,000 Pounds *

Blue shark, S. Atlantic 146,000 Pounds *

Bluefin tuna, W. Atlantic 288,000 Pounds 0.49

Bull shark

1,200 Individuals *

157,000 Pounds *

Cobia (multiple stocks) 3,100 Individuals *

Cobia, Gulf of Mexico 37,000 Pounds *

Dolphinfish 4,800 Individuals *

Dusky shark 2,700 Individuals *

571,000 Pounds *

Gag (multiple stocks) 86,000 Individuals *

Gag, Gulf of Mexico 7,400 Pounds *

Gag, S. Atlantic 11,000 Pounds *

Goliath grouper (multiple 

stocks) 3,800 Individuals *

Goliath grouper, S. Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 72,000 Pounds *

Gray snapper 45,000 Individuals *

Gray triggerfish 2,000 Individuals *

Great hammerhead shark, 

S. Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 192,000 Pounds *

Greater amberjack 266,000 Individuals *

Gulf sturgeon *

Hogfish 240 Individuals *

King mackerel, Atlantic 

group 270 Individuals *

King mackerel, Gulf group 380,000 Pounds *

Lane snapper 3,700 Individuals *

1,623,000 Pounds *

Little tunny

3,000 Individuals *

48 Individuals *

Lemon shark 650 Individuals *

Mutton snapper 4,500 Individuals *

Nassau grouper 1,300 Individuals *

Fish and invertebrates

Bycatch

estimate b Unit

Bycatch 

ratio

Red drum (multiple stocks) 47,500 Individuals *

Red drum, Gulf of Mexico 406,000 Pounds *

Red drum, S. Atlantic 4 Individuals *

Red grouper (multiple 

stocks) 862,000 Individuals *

Red grouper, Gulf of Mexico 51,000 Pounds *

Red grouper, S. Atlantic 6,400 Pounds *

Red porgy, S. Atlantic 33,000 Individuals *

Red snapper (multiple 

stocks) 2,570,000 Individuals *

Red snapper, Gulf of Mexico 713,000 Pounds *

Sailfish (multiple stocks) 440 Individuals *

Sailfish, West Atlantic 22 Individuals *

Sandbar shark 4,900 Individuals *

149,000 Pounds *

Scalloped hammerhead 

shark, S. Atlantic 139 Individuals *

Scalloped hammerhead 

shark, S. Atlantic/Gulf of 

Mexico

117,000 Pounds *

Scamp 37,000 Individuals *

Shortnose sturgeon *

Silk snapper 17 Individuals *

Silky shark

34 Individuals *

42,000 Pounds *

Smalltooth sawfish 61 Individuals *

Snowy grouper 2,700 Individuals *

Spanish mackerel 62,000 Individuals *

Spanish mackerel, Gulf 

group 3,561,000 Pounds *

Speckled hind 10,400 Individuals *

Spinner shark 6,800 Individuals *

8 Individuals *

Warsaw grouper 7,900 Individuals *

White grunt 7,200 Individuals *

White marlin, S. Atlantic 38,000 Pounds *

Wreckfish 38 Individuals *

Yellowedge grouper 1,900 Individuals *

Yellowfin grouper 640 Individuals *

Yellowtail snapper 410,000 Individuals *

a Total # of key stocks for Southeast = 82; in some cases estimates are only available at the species (or species group) level and cannot be assigned to the appropriate key stock. Therefore, there are fewer than 82 bycatch estimates listed in this table. A full list of Southeast Region key stocks is included in Section 4.2. 

(Note: bycatch estimates of rare-event species may incorporate data from a range of years.)

b Estimates have been rounded.

c Bycatch estimates from the 2002 shrimp fishery biological opinion (NMFS 2002). Since that time, effort in the shrimp fishery, and presumably bycatch, has decreased 

dramatically.

* Indicates landings were not available for a species (or species is not landed, as for protected species), bycatch was not observed, or was observed but no estimate is available, or bycatch and landings were in different units, so no bycatch ratio could be developed (fish). Please see Section 4.2 for further information.

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 27 2/5/12 
28

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Bycatch reduction success stories (2005 to present):

•	 Bycatch reduction devices to reduce finfish bycatch are required in all Southeastern shrimp fisheries. 

•	 Turtle excluder devices (TEDs) have been required in all shrimp trawls (with limited exceptions) since 

the mid-1990s. TEDs allow for release of an estimated 97% of the turtles caught in shrimp trawls. 

•	 Gear regulations in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery for Highly Migratory Species have reduced 

interactions with endangered and threatened sea turtles, while closures are utilized to reduce interactions with undersized swordfish and other species.

•	 Mesh size in the back panel of black sea bass pots has been increased to 2 inches to reduce bycatch of undersized black sea bass. 

•	 Requirements for buoy lines on black sea bass pots have been modified to reduce takes of protected species. 

•	 Harvest limits and time and area closures have resulted in bycatch reductions in some fisheries.

Bycatch of Southeast Region key stocks in 2005 a

(continued from previous page)

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) b

Green sea turtle c 659

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle c 4,222

Leatherback sea turtle c 537

Loggerhead sea turtle c 5,209

Bottlenose dolphin, western North Atlantic coastal 105

Pilot whale, long- and short-finned 70

Risso’s dolphin, western North Atlantic 46

Spotted dolphin, pantropical, western North Atlantic 6

a Total # of key stocks for Southeast = 82; in some cases estimates are available only at the species 

(or species group) level and cannot be assigned to the appropriate key stock. Therefore, there are 

fewer than 82 bycatch estimates listed in this table. A full list of Southeast Region key stocks is 

included in Section 4.2. (Note: bycatch estimates of rare-event species may incorporate data from 

a range of years.)

b Estimates have been rounded.

c Sea turtle bycatch estimate includes estimates from the 2002 shrimp fishery biological opinion 

(NMFS 2002). Since that time, effort in the shrimp fishery, and presumably bycatch, has decreased 

dramatically.

cC-ExecSum--Page002andon.indd 28 2/5/12 
29

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fast facts:

•	 A total of 77 commercial fisheries are included 

in this report for the Alaska Region.

•	 Landings from all Alaskan fisheries were valued at approximately $1.367 billion in 2005.

•	 Five FMPs regulate the harvest of federally 

managed species in the Alaska Region. 

•	 Observer programs are in place for 27 of the 77 

fisheries. All Federal fisheries are observed.

•	 Fish bycatch estimates are available for 27 

fisheries and 91 species or species groups.

•	 Protected species bycatch estimates are available for 19 fisheries and 29 species or species 

groups.

Alaska 

Region

Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Alaska Region

0

500,000,000

1,000,000,000

1,500,000,000

2,000,000,000

2,500,000,000

3,000,000,000

Weight in pounds

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

Bycatch ratio

Bycatch

Landings

Fishery bycatch ratio

BSAI Pacific Cod Jig

GOA Pacific Cod Jig

GOA Sablefish Trawl

GOA Deepwater Flatfish Trawl

BSAI Pollock Trawl

GOA Pollock Trawl

BSAI Pacific Cod Pot

GOA Pacific Cod Pot

BSAI Pacific Ocean Perch (Trawl)

BSAI Sablefish Pot

GOA Pacific Cod Trawl

GOA Rockfish Trawl

BSAI Sablefish Trawl

AIs, E. BS Atka Mackerel Trawl

BSAI Pacific Cod Longline

GOA Pacific Cod Longline

GOA Sablefish Longline

GOA Arrowtooth Flounder Trawl

BSAI Yellowfin Sole Trawl

BSAI Pacific Cod Trawl

BSAI Rock Sole Trawl

BSAI Flatfish Group Trawl

GOA Flatfish (Shallow Water Flatfish) Trawl

BSAI Greenland Turbot Longline

BSAI Sablefish Longline

GOA Rex Sole Trawl

GOA Flathead Sole Trawl

The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish Group (arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, and 

other flatfish) trawl fishery has been abbreviated as "BSAI Flatfish Group Trawl." (BSAI = 

Bering Sea / Aleutian Islands, BS = Bering Sea, GOA = Gulf of Alaska, Als = Aleutian Islands)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Bycatch reduction success stories (2005 to present):

•	 Catch-share programs have eliminated the race for fish in many fisheries, greatly reducing economic discards.

•	 Annual quota specification process results in fishery closures (and bycatch reductions) when target 

or bycatch quotas are reached.

•	 Regulations limit or prohibit discard in many fisheries.

•	 Agency/industry collaboration has resulted in innovative measures such as streamer lines to reduce bird bycatch and gear improvements to reduce finfish bycatch.

•	 Industry-managed cooperatives in some fisheries have changed fleet behavior, leading to reduction of bycatch.

•	 Bycatch retention or harvest limits and/or time and area closures have resulted in bycatch reductions in some fisheries.

Fish and invertebrates

Bycatch 

estimate 

(lb) b

Bycatch 

ratio

Blue king crab

 (multiple stocks) 5,400 *

Chinook salmon 721,100 *

Demersal shelf rockfish 

 (multiple stocks) 160 *

Golden king crab, 

 Aleutian Islands 16,900 *

Non-Chinook salmon 3,350,000 *

Red king crab

 (multiple stocks) 630,000 *

Protected species

Bycatch estimate

(individuals) b

Bearded seal 0.4

Beluga whale, Cook Inlet *

Bowhead whale *

Fin whale *

Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Alaska 36

Humpback whale, central north Pacific 2

Humpback whale, western north Pacific 0.2

Killer whale, eastern north Pacific Alaska 

resident 2

Killer whale, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 

 Islands, and Bering Sea transient 0.4

Northern fur seal 0.8

Pacific walrus 2

Ribbon seal 1

Right whale, north Pacific *

Ringed seal 1

Sei whale *

Sperm whale *

Spotted seal 1

Steller sea lion 10

Black-footed albatross 67

Red-legged kittiwake 4

Short-tailed albatross 0

Bycatch of Alaska Region key stocks in 2005 a

a Total # of key stocks for Alaska = 36; in some cases estimates are only 

available at the species (or species group) level and cannot be assigned 

to the appropriate key stock. Therefore, there are fewer than 36 bycatch 

estimates listed in this table. A full list of Alaska Region key stocks is 

included in Section 4.3. (Note: bycatch estimates of rare-event species 

may incorporate data from a range of years.)

b Estimates have been rounded.

*Indicates landings were not available for a species (or species is not landed, as for protected species), bycatch was not observed or was observed 

but no estimate is available, or bycatch and landings were in different 

units, so no bycatch ratio could be developed (fish). Please see Section 

4.3 for further information.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fast facts: 

•	 A total of 30 commercial fisheries are included in this report for the Northwest Region.

•	 Landings from Oregon and Washington fisheries were valued at approximately $281 million dollars in 2005. 

•	 Two FMPs regulate the harvest of federally 

managed species in the Northwest Region. 

•	 Observer programs are in place for 9 of the 

30 fisheries.

•	 Fish bycatch estimates are available for 7 

fisheries and 53 species or species groups.

•	 Protected species bycatch estimates are 

available for 5 fisheries and 13 species or 

species groups.

Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Northwest Region

(* indicates bycatch data in number of individuals, no bycatch ratio possible)

0

50,000,000

100,000,000

150,000,000

200,000,000

250,000,000

300,000,000

W. Coast midwater trawl for

whiting, atsea

processing

W. Coast

groundfish

non-trawl

gear: nonendorsed

fixed gear

W. Coast

groundfish

non-trawl

gear: lim.

entry

sablefishendorsed

fixed gear

W. Coast

salmon troll,

tribal ocean*

W. Coast

salmon troll,

non-tribal

ocean*

CA, OR

nearshore

rockfish

W. Coast lim.

entry bottom

trawl;

groundfish

bottom trawl

Weight in pounds

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

Bycatch ratio

Bycatch

Landings

Fishery bycatch ratio

Northwest 

Region

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fish and 

invertebrates

Bycatch 

estimate b Unit

Bycatch 

ratio

Arrowtooth flounder 3,245,000 Pounds 0.4

Big skate 335,000 Pounds *

Black rockfish 14,300 Pounds 0.04

Blue rockfish 7,720 Pounds 0.15

Bocaccio 61,200 Pounds 0.79

Cabezon 71,400 Pounds 0.35

Canary rockfish 57,000 Pounds 0.68

Chinook salmon

 (multiple DPS) 170,000 Individuals *

Chum salmon 

(multiple DPS) Individuals *

Coho salmon

 (multiple DPS) 30,000 Individuals *

Cowcod 3,090 Pounds 0.97

Darkblotched rockfish 62,200 Pounds 0.25

Deeper nearshore species 

(multiple species) 27,600 Pounds *

Dover sole 1,454,000 Pounds 0.09

Dungeness crab 562,000 Pounds 0.01

English sole 666,000 Pounds 0.22

Kelp greenling 21,800 Pounds 0.3

Lingcod 989,000 Pounds 0.69

Longnose skate 1,515,000 Pounds *

Longspine thornyhead 203,000 Pounds 0.12

Other minor nearshore 

rockfish (multiple species) 1,540 Pounds *

Other nearshore rockfish

 (multiple stocks) 0 Pounds *

Pacific halibut 954,000 Pounds 0.29

Pacific ocean perch 24,900 Pounds 0.18

Petrale sole 121,000 Pounds 0.02

Shortspine thornyhead 295,000 Pounds 0.18

Sockeye salmon 

 (multiple DPS) *

Spiny dogfish 2,765,000 Pounds 0.7

Steelhead 

 (multiple DPS) *

Unspecified skate 1

 (multiple species) 342,000 Pounds *

Unspecified skate 2

 (multiple species) 2,200 Pounds *

Widow rockfish 127,000 Pounds 0.35

Yelloweye rockfish 6,680 Pounds *

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) b

Blue whale *

Fin whale *

Humpback whale *

Killer whale, 

 southern resident *

Sei whale *

Sea otter, CA *

Sperm whale *

Steller sea lion 2

Black-footed albatross 59

Brown pelican 36

California least tern *

Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel *

Least tern, interior population *

Marbled murrelet, CA, OR, WA *

Newell’s Townsend’s shearwater *

Short-tailed albatross *

Green sea turtle *

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle *

Leatherback sea turtle *

Loggerhead sea turtle *

Olive ridley sea turtle *

Bycatch of Northwest Region key stocks in 2005 a

a Total # of key stocks for Northwest = 81; in some cases estimates are 

available only at the species (or species group) level and cannot be assigned to the appropriate key stock. Therefore, the total number of estimates listed in the table does not add up to 81. A full list of Alaska Region 

key stocks is included in Section 4.3. (Note: bycatch estimates of rareevent species may incorporate data from a range of years.)

b Estimates have been rounded.

*Indicates landings were not available for a species (or species is not landed, as for protected species), bycatch was not observed, or was observed 

but no estimate is available, or that bycatch and landings are in different 

units, so no bycatch ratio could be developed (fish). Please see Section 

4.4 for further information.

DPS = Distinct Population Segment. 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bycatch reduction success stories (2005 to present):

•	 Bycatch caps instituted in the Pacific hake fishery ensure that bycatch of rebuilding rockfish stocks 

remains within target levels.

•	 Trawl gear regulations, such as footrope size limitation and the mandatory use of selective trawl net 

designs, assisted in reducing depleted rockfish species bycatch in the groundfish fisheries.

•	 Area- and depth-related closures in the groundfish fisheries further reduce bycatch of depleted 

rockfish species. 

•	 Measures such as permit stacking and a permit/vessel buyback reduced fishing capacity in the 

groundfish fisheries to better match the amount of fishing effort needed to harvest available resources, and therefore reduced overall bycatch. 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fast Facts: 

•	 A total of 25 commercial fisheries are included 

in this report for the Southwest Region.

•	 Landings from all Southwest Region fisheries 

were valued at approximately $116 million in 

2005.

•	 Four FMPs regulate the harvest of federally 

managed species in the Southwest Region. 

•	 Observer programs are in place for 10 of the 

25 fisheries.

•	 Protected species bycatch estimates are available for 3 fisheries and 9 species or species 

groups.

•	 Fish bycatch estimates were not available for 

the Southwest Region when this report was 

developed (estimates will be included in the 

next edition of the National Bycatch Report). 

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) a

Green sea turtle *

Leatherback sea turtle *

Loggerhead sea turtle *

Olive ridley sea turtle 

(two stocks) 1

Ashy storm-petrel *

Brown pelican, except US Atlantic 

coast, Florida *

California least tern *

Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel *

Least tern, interior population *

Marbled murrelet, CA/OR/ WA *

Newell’s Townsend’s shearwater *

Short-tailed albatross *

Bycatch of Southwest Region Key Stocks in 2005

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) a

Blue whale *

Bowhead whale *

California sea lion 51

Common dolphin, long-beaked, 

CA/OR/WA 9

Fin whale *

Guadalupe fur seal *

Harbor seal, California *

Humpback whale *

Killer whale, Southern Resident *

Northern right whale dolphin,

CA/OR/WA 18

Sea otter, California *

Sei whale *

Short-finned pilot whale,

CA/OR/WA 1

Sperm whale *

Southwest 

Region

a Estimates have been rounded.

* Indicates that no bycatch was observed, or that bycatch estimates are not available. See Section 4.5 for details.

Note: bycatch estimates of rare-event species may incorporate a range of years.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fish and invertebrates

Albacore, N. Pacific

Albacore, S. Pacific

Arrowtooth flounder

Bank rockfish

Basking shark

Bigeye tuna, Pacific

Black rockfish, Pacific Coast, N.

Blackgill rockfish

Blue rockfish

Blue shark, N. Pacific

Bluefin tuna, Pacific

Bocaccio

Brown rockfish

Cabezon

California scorpionfish

Canary rockfish

Chilipepper rockfish

Chinook salmon (nine DPSs)

Coho salmon (three DPSs)

Chum salmon (two DPSs)

Cowcod

Darkblotched rockfish

Dolphinfish, Pacific

Dover sole

English sole

Giant sea bass

Gopher rockfish

Indo-Pacific blue marlin, Pacific

Jack mackerel

Kawakawa, tropical Pacific

Kelp greenling

Lingcod

Longnose skate

Longspine thornyhead

Market squid

Megamouth shark

Northern anchovy, central subpopulation

Fish and invertebrates

Northern anchovy, northern subpopulation

Opah, Pacific

Pacific chub mackerel

Pacific cod

Pacific grenadier

Pacific hake

Pacific ocean perch

Pacific sanddab

Pacific sardine

Petrale sole

Rex sole

Rougheye rockfish

Sablefish

Sand sole

Shortbelly rockfish

Shortbill spearfish, Pacific

Shortspine thornyhead

Skipjack tuna, central western Pacific

Skipjack tuna, eastern Pacific

Sockeye salmon (two DPSs)

Spiny dogfish

Splitnose rockfish

Starry flounder

Steelhead (ten DPSs)

Striped marlin, central Western Pacific

Striped marlin, eastern Pacific

Swordfish, N. Pacific

Totoaba

Vermilion rockfish

Wahoo, Pacific

White shark

Widow rockfish

Yelloweye rockfish

Yellowfin tuna, central western Pacific

Yellowfin tuna, eastern Pacific

Yellowtail rockfish

Southwest Region Key Fish Stocks

DPS = Distinct Population Segment.

Note: Because bycatch estimates were not available when the report was produced, all stocks with management importance are considered key stocks. See 

Section 4.5 for details.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Bycatch Reduction Success Stories (2005 to present):

•	 Use of acoustic pingers in the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery has reduced cetacean 

(whales, dolphin, and porpoises) bycatch by approximately 50% since pinger use began 

in 1996. There have been no observed beaked whales taken since the use of pingers was 

mandated through implementation of the Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan 

in 1997. 

•	 Time and area closures are used in regional gillnet fisheries to protect leatherback and 

loggerhead sea turtles.

•	 Designation of a cowcod conservation area in California has successfully reduced bycatch 

and allowed rebuilding of cowcod, an overfished rockfish.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fast facts: 

•	 A total of 31 commercial fisheries are included 

in this report for the Pacific Islands Region.

•	 Landings from all Pacific Islands fisheries 

were valued at approximately $71 million in 

2005.

•	 Five FMPs regulate the harvest of federally 

managed species in the Pacific Islands Region. 

•	 Observer programs are in place for 3 of the 

31 fisheries.

•	 Fish bycatch estimates are available for 2 

fisheries and 88 species or species groups.

•	 Protected species bycatch estimates are 

available for 2 fisheries and 23 species or 

species groups.

Pacific 

Islands 

Region

Fish bycatch and landings by fishery for the Pacific Islands Region

0

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

10,000,000

12,000,000

14,000,000

16,000,000

18,000,000

Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline

fishery (swordfish)

Hawaii-based deep-set pelagic longline

fishery (tuna)

Weight in pounds

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

Bycatch ratio

Bycatch

Landings

Fishery bycatch ratio

20,000,000

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fish and invertebrates Bycatch estimate (lb) b Bycatch ratio

Bigeye thresher shark 433,000 *

Blue shark 5,639,000 *

Longnose lancetfish 928,000 *

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) b

Inside EEZ

Bycatch estimate

(individuals) b

outside EEZ

Blue whale * *

False killer whale/false killer or short-finned pilot whale (unidentified) 9 8

Fin whale * *

Hawaiian monk seal * *

Humpback whale 0 0.2

Sei whale * *

Sperm whale 0 0

Protected species

Bycatch estimate 

(individuals) b

Green sea turtle 0

Hawksbill sea turtle *

Leatherback sea turtle 12

Loggerhead sea turtle 10

Olive ridley sea turtle 16

Black-footed albatross 89

Brown booby 3

Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel *

Laysan albatross 105

Newell’s Townsend’s shearwater *

Short-tailed albatross 0

Bycatch of Pacific Islands Region key stocks in 2005 a

a Bycatch estimates of rare-event species may incorporate data from multiple years.

b Estimates have been rounded.

* Indicates landings were not available for a species (or species is not landed, as for protected species), bycatch was 

not observed, or was observed but no estimate is available, or that bycatch and landings were in different units, so no 

bycatch ratio could be developed (fish). See Section 4.4 for further information.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bycatch reduction success stories (2005 to present):

•	 Annual incidental take limits for two species of sea turtles (leatherback and loggerhead) that result 

in fishery closures for Hawaii longline fisheries have been reached only once since 2004. 

•	 Take limits that trigger management actions but not fishery closures are in place for other sea turtle 

species in Hawaii longline fisheries. 

•	 Large circle hooks and fish bait (rather than squid) are required in the Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery for swordfish. These measures have reduced sea turtle bycatch in the fishery 

by 90% for loggerheads and by 83% for leatherbacks. These measures are also used voluntarily by 

many participants in the Hawaii-based deep-set pelagic longline fishery for tuna and the American 

Samoa pelagic longline fishery. Measures to reduce sea turtle bycatch have been very successful, 

resulting in a 90–95% reduction for all species across the entire longline fishery.

•	 In 2006, the use of “side-setting” in the Hawaii longline fishery was demonstrated to be more effective at reducing seabird bycatch than several other seabird avoidance methods. Fishermen may 

choose to side-set or utilize a combination of other measures to meet FMP seabird avoidance requirements. Overall, interaction numbers have been reduced by 92 to 95%. Measures developed 

to reduce seabird bycatch in the Pacific Islands form the foundation of measures used to reduce 

seabird bycatch in member countries of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Management 

Commission and the Inter-America Tropical Tuna Commission.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

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INTRODUCTION

Section 1

Introduction

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Photo on previous page: Preparing a sonar-equipped net off the 

Oregon coast. Credit: NMFS.

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INTRODUCTION

Section 1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

Effective management of living marine resources depends 

on understanding the population dynamics of target and 

bycatch species and related ecosystem processes. Reliable quantitative information about bycatch is essential to 

the assessment and management process. The goal of this 

report is to determine the extent to which reliable quantitative bycatch information exists for federally managed fisheries and for fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection 

programs, and to document bycatch estimates and bycatch 

estimation methods for all fisheries for which this information was available in 2005.1 In addition to describing the 

“state of bycatch reporting and estimation,” this report will 

be used to address and to prioritize sampling and estimation concerns. 

Bycatch has long been recognized as a global issue (Alverson 1994; Hall 1996). Bycatch occurs because fishing 

methods are not perfectly selective for the target species 

(including targeted size range and/or sex), or because incidental take of marine mammals, sea turtles, or seabirds 

may occur as a result of fishing activities. Bycatch may 

also occur when regulatory restrictions prohibit retention of 

particular species, sexes, or size ranges. Therefore, some 

bycatch occurs in commercial fisheries, and higher rates of 

bycatch occur in fisheries with less selective fishing methods and practices. 

Bycatch should be examined in the context of biological, 

ecological, economic, and social impacts to provide a comprehensive evaluation of its overall significance. Biological 

impacts of bycatch have been demonstrated at the species, 

population, and ecosystem levels (Hall et al. 2000; Kelleher 

2004; Lewison et al. 2004; Read et al. 2006). Economic 

impacts may be substantial when current or potential future 

exploitable biomass is not available for harvest (Pascoe 

1997; Larson et al. 1998; Kelleher 2004). When bycatch 

results in the mortality of endangered or protected species,2

it is clearly of concern. Other issues arise when mortality of 

living marine resources results in lost productivity of commercially or recreationally important stocks, or when the 

public perceives bycatch as a waste. Costs for monitoring 

and mitigating bycatch may also be high, and some of these 

costs may be borne directly by the fishing industry (e.g., observer or other monitoring costs, costs of gear modification, 

1 The year 2005 was selected during the report’s development in 2006, as 

the most recent year for which complete information was available. The 

National Marine Fisheries Service intends to publish updated information in 

future editions of this report.

2 All species (fish, invertebrates, plants, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine 

mammals) protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act and managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

and reduced target catch rates when bycatch mitigation devices are deployed).

Overall fishing mortality can be determined only if reliable, 

quantitative information on retained catch and bycatch (or 

total catch, from which bycatch estimates can be subtracted) 

is available. In some cases, even very low overall bycatch 

levels may be of concern, especially if the bycaught species are endangered or protected. When reliable bycatch 

estimates are available they can be factored into stock assessments. Management measures have been implemented in many U.S. fisheries to reduce bycatch; these include 

regulatory measures that place limits on bycatch quantities 

or close target fisheries when bycatch limits are reached. In 

some cases, other mitigation measures such as gear modifications have also been required. 

This U.S. National Bycatch Report provides the first national 

compilation of bycatch estimates in commercial U.S. fisheries. It also provides comprehensive information on sampling 

and estimation methods and provides an objective framework for evaluating the quality of bycatch estimates. This 

report is the first in what is envisioned to be a series. Over 

time, the U.S. National Bycatch Report will improve the 

ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 

to monitor bycatch trends. It is designed to assist NMFS in 

meeting legislative mandates for bycatch reduction, guiding 

policy, and setting priorities.

1.2 U.S. Laws and Regulations 

to Address Bycatch

The primary authorities for monitoring and reducing bycatch are contained in three statutes: the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 

16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

(MMPA), 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. 

Under the MSA, all fishery management plans (FMPs) and 

their implementing regulations must be consistent with ten 

“National Standards.” National Standard 9 requires that 

bycatch be avoided to the extent practicable or, where it 

cannot be avoided, that bycatch mortality be minimized; 16 

U.S.C. 1851(a) (9). NMFS regulations implementing MSA 

bycatch provisions require that the following factors be considered in determining the practicability of a particular management action to minimize bycatch or bycatch mortality:

•	 Population effects for bycaught species 

•	 Ecological effects due to changes in the bycatch of a species (effects on other species in the ecosystem) 

•	 Changes in the bycatch of other species of fish and the 

resulting population and ecosystem effects 

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

•	 Effects on marine mammals and birds 

•	 Changes in fishing, processing, disposal, and marketing costs 

•	 Changes in fishing practices and behavior of fishermen 

•	 Changes in research, administration, and enforcement 

costs and management effectiveness 

•	 Changes in the economic, social, or cultural value of 

fishing activities and non-consumptive uses of fishery 

resources 

•	 Changes in the distribution of benefits and costs

•	 Social effects

The MSA also requires all FMPs to include a Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) to assess 

the amount and type of bycatch in managed fisheries;16 

U.S.C. 1853(a)(11). These reporting methods are intended 

to improve the collection and estimation of bycatch, and 

to support the development of effective conservation and 

management strategies and mitigation measures. 

The MMPA seeks to maintain marine mammal stocks at optimum sustainable population levels, principally by prohibiting take of marine mammals. The MMPA defines take as harassment, hunting, capture, and killing, as well as attempts 

to harass, hunt, capture, or kill. The MMPA allows limited 

exceptions to the take prohibition, including one for commercial fishing operations. The MMPA requires that each 

U.S. commercial fishery be classified according to whether 

there is frequent (Category I), occasional (Category II), or 

a remote (Category III) likelihood of incidental mortality and 

serious injury of marine mammals. It also has provisions 

for the establishment of take-reduction teams (TRTs) to develop take-reduction plans (TRPs) for those fisheries with 

the greatest impact on marine mammal stocks (Categories 

I and II).

The ESA mandates protection and conservation of threatened and endangered species, and conservation of the 

ecosystems on which these species depend. A species 

is considered endangered if it is in danger of extinction 

throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A species 

is considered threatened if it is likely to become endangered 

in the future. Some threatened and endangered species, 

including all species of sea turtles found in the U.S. and 

certain species of salmon, seabirds, and marine mammals, 

are captured as bycatch in the Nation’s fisheries. The ESA 

requires development of recovery plans that identify criteria 

and actions to recover listed species. 

Further information on these, as well as other statutes and 

international agreements pertaining to bycatch, is provided 

in Appendix B of this report. 

1.3 The U.S. Bycatch Strategy

To address its legislative mandates, NMFS has developed 

a national approach to bycatch. This approach, as first articulated in Managing the Nation’s Bycatch (NMFS 1998), 

expands on the MSA mandate “to implement conservation 

and management measures for living marine resources 

that will minimize, to the extent practicable, bycatch and 

the mortality of bycatch that cannot be avoided.” Benaka 

and Dobrzynski (2004) provided guidance on implementation of this goal. They considered bycatch concerns in four 

categories: 1) population concerns in cases where bycatch 

contributes significantly to the status of the fish population; 

2) social and economic concerns; 3) ecological concerns; 

and 4) public concerns. The article made recommendations in several areas, including bycatch monitoring and 

data-collection programs. The need for improved bycatch 

data collection and assessment was further discussed in 

Evaluating Bycatch: A National Approach to Standardized 

Bycatch Monitoring Programs (NMFS 2004b), which also 

provided details on implementation of NMFS’ SBRM for all 

federally managed fisheries.3

1.4  Definition of Bycatch

There are currently no universally accepted definitions for 

the terms bycatch and discard, and these terms are often 

used interchangeably. Bycatch for the purposes of this report is defined as discarded catch of any living marine resource plus unobserved mortality4 due to a direct encounter 

with fishing gear (Figure 1.1). Since information on unobserved mortality of fish is rarely available, it is not included 

in this report. Unobserved mortality is included in bycatch 

estimates for protected species where the data permits.

The definition used here is similar to the definition of bycatch in the MSA, where bycatch is defined as “fish which 

are harvested in a fishery, but which are not sold or kept 

for personal use, and includes economic and regulatory 

discards,” but not marine mammals, seabirds, or fish released alive under a recreational catch-and-release fish3 The combination of data collection and analysis used to estimate bycatch in 

a fishery constitutes the SBRM for that fishery. Regional SBRM implementation plans are developed on an annual basis. Their action items are listed 

in Appendix C of this report.

4 Unobserved mortality: mortality of living marine resources due to a direct 

encounter with fishing gear that does not result in the capture of the species. This includes mortality due to lost or discarded fishing gear, as well as 

fish and other species that escape from fishing gear before it is retrieved but 

die due to the stress or injury resulting from the encounter (NMFS 2004b).

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INTRODUCTION

Figure 1.1

Definitions used in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. 

Retained catch

Not sold or used 

discard) 

Personal 

use Sold 

Unobserved 

mortality 

Released or 

discarded

alive dead

Bycatch

Total catch 

Discarded (post-landing

ery management program. The MSA does not specifically 

define the term discard. The definition of discards used in 

this report is “living marine resources returned unprocessed 

to sea or elsewhere, including those released alive” (Figure 1.1). While the issue is not addressed in this report, 

NMFS is also concerned about post-landing discards (i.e., 

fish discarded after landing). Post-landing discards are not 

included as a component of bycatch mortality estimated in 

this report since they are typically included in the landings 

data. Even though they differ slightly from those used in 

the MSA, the definitions in this report were selected to provide consistency with previous NMFS reports, including the 

1998 and 2004 NMFS bycatch reports referenced above.

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DATA SOURCES FOR ESTIMATING BYCATCH

Section 2

Data Sources 

for Estimating 

Bycatch

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Photo on previous page: A NMFS observer checks the dimensions 

of a net and its catch. Photo credit: NMFS AFSC, Marine Observer 

Program.

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DATA SOURCES FOR ESTIMATING BYCATCH

Section 2 Data Sources for 

 Estimating Bycatch

2.1 Overview

Estimation of bycatch requires data from several sources. 

Fishery-dependent data, including bycatch data and the 

supplemental data used to estimate bycatch, are collected 

during fishing operations. Fishery observer programs are a 

good example of a source of fishery-dependent data. Observers are the only independent source for many types 

of information about fishing operations, including catch and 

bycatch composition, biological characteristics, and gear 

configuration. Information about bycatch may also be provided through self-reporting programs (i.e., data reported 

by fishermen or dealers/processors); these self-reporting 

programs are particularly important sources of supplemental data (e.g., effort and landings data). However, when 

bycatch information is submitted by the fishing industry, 

concerns regarding data quality must be addressed. These 

concerns may arise from the lack of training in data-collection methods and protocols, and potential underreporting 

by the industry; concerns may also be linked to the existence of incentives for misreporting.

Data on bycatch (species composition and quantity, specific information on marine mammal interactions, etc.) and 

retained catch are always required for bycatch estimation. Ancillary information (e.g., gear type, retained catch 

characteristics, observations on fishing operations, and 

environmental data) may also be necessary to the estimation process, depending on the estimation methods used. 

Verifiable sources of data, such as observers and vessel 

monitoring systems (VMS), are preferable, although certain 

kinds of industry-reported information may also be useful 

as supplemental data.

The choice of the method used for collecting bycatch data 

in a particular fishery is based on several factors, including:

•	 Completeness—do the data cover the entire range (temporal, spatial, depth, vessel attributes, etc.) of the fishery 

or fisheries that interact with the species of concern?

•	 Cost—is the method cost-effective?

•	 Timeliness—how quickly are the data available to fisheries scientists, managers, and fishermen?

•	 Safety—how safe is the data-collection method compared to other monitoring methods, and what safeguards 

are in place to ensure the safety of the data collectors?

•	 Logistics—how easily is the monitoring program implemented and maintained?

•	 Planned use of data—do management goals require a 

level of detail, quality, and timeliness that only certain 

data sources can provide?

This section focuses on fishery observer programs and 

commercial fishery logbook programs. These are the most 

common sources of data used in estimating fishery bycatch. 

Supplementary sources, such as landings reports completed by fishermen and/or dealers, port sampling reports, vessel monitoring systems, and stranding reports of protected 

species, will be discussed briefly. Costs and benefits associated with each data source must be considered with reference to the specific goals of the collection programs and 

the information requirements for bycatch estimation; these 

tradeoffs are discussed briefly toward the end of the section. This section is intended to provide a general overview 

of the data used to estimate bycatch and related issues; 

details about regional bycatch estimation methods and approaches are provided by region and fishery in Section 4. 

2.2 Fishery Observer Programs

Fishery observers are trained biologists who collect data on 

fishing activities onboard commercial vessels (and at processing plants in some instances) to provide data in support of science and management programs. Each of the 

six NMFS regions is responsible for administering observer 

programs in its area. NMFS’ authority to place observers 

aboard fishing vessels can be found in the MSA, the MMPA, 

and the ESA; in some cases state regulatory authority also 

exists. Observer programs are generally established to 

address one or more monitoring objectives, which may include bycatch (fish and protected species), catch, fishing 

operations, and regulatory compliance. 

Observer program design and establishment of coverage 

levels will generally take into account specific management 

and science information needs. For example, an observer 

program designed to provide data for estimating protected 

species bycatch may require a high coverage level because 

fishery interactions with these species occur infrequently, 

while a program implemented to provide data for estimating 

total catch of target fish species may require lower levels 

of coverage. However, rare events may also be monitored 

at lower coverage levels, although this increases the level 

of uncertainty in the estimate. In some regulatory environments, for example when in-season management is supported by observer data, when bycatch limitations restrict 

target species harvest, or when monitoring for regulatory 

compliance is a priority, high (and in some cases 100%) 

observer coverage may be required. 

Regardless of the primary reason for monitoring a fishery, 

observers are generally trained to collect quantity and composition information on catch and bycatch, as well as information on fish discard condition (e.g., released alive versus 

dead) and condition of protected species bycatch (e.g., location of entanglement and/or hooking, condition of animal 

upon release). Biological information collected by observers may include size composition of selected species, and 

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

biological samples which can be used to determine age 

composition, maturity, feeding behavior, fecundity, stock 

characteristics, etc. Besides data on catch and bycatch, 

observers may also collect information on gear type and 

configuration, vessel type and power, fishing techniques, 

fishing effort, environmental conditions, and, in certain fisheries, economic information. Observers may also assist 

with fisheries research or tagging studies. Observer data 

are considered the most reliable source of information on 

bycatch, since the observers are independent and able to 

monitor bycatch directly. 

In instances where the safety of observers is of particular 

concern or the logistics of placing observers aboard fishing vessels are unusually challenging, using small vessels 

to observe fishing operations may be an option. Government-owned or -leased “alternative platforms” have been 

employed in a few U.S. fisheries (e.g., the North Carolina 

small gillnet fisheries and the inshore Alaska salmon gillnet 

fisheries) to monitor bycatch. Sampling may target the fishery as a whole, or only those vessels that would otherwise 

be difficult to sample using an onboard observer. 

Other approaches for collecting data at sea are under development. Use of video cameras to monitor fishing operations involves relatively new technologies (McElderry 2008) 

and has been used only in selected fisheries to date. Other 

sensors, such as global positioning systems (GPS) and hydraulic pressure monitors, may also be incorporated to provide accurate information regarding spatial and temporal 

characteristics of fishing. While electronic monitoring (EM) 

holds great promise for addressing certain objectives (e.g., 

compliance with discard prohibitions), it is not yet able to 

provide detailed information on catch and bycatch composition, or biological information. 

Observer programs are expensive and logistically challenging. Detailed information on costs and logistics is provided 

in previous NMFS reports (e.g., NMFS 2004b). Logistical 

challenges and costs depend to a considerable degree on 

the size of the region being observed, the size of the fishing 

fleet, and the degree of difficulty associated with deploying 

observers. These aspects should be considered carefully 

prior to implementation of an observer program. Staff resources for training, debriefing, data management, etc. can 

also be substantial. 

Even though observer programs provide the most reliable 

source of data, bias must be minimized and accounted for 

in the design of a program and in the use of any data collected. The sources of bias in observer programs fall into 

three broad categories: 1) incomplete sampling frame; 2) 

sampling bias caused by procedures for selecting vessels, 

problems with sample selection, or factors preventing the 

deployment of observers on all selected vessels; and 3) observer bias (i.e., measurement errors caused by changes 

in fishing behavior in the presence of observers). For some 

programs, it has been possible to develop vessel selection 

strategies to minimize bias. A complete discussion of potential bias in observer programs is provided in Appendix D 

(see also Vølstad and Fogarty 2006). 

2.3 Marine Mammal Data-Collection 

Programs 

Under the MMPA, commercial fishers are required to report 

any injuries or mortalities of marine mammals that occur 

incidental to their fishing operations. Underreporting of injuries and mortalities is of considerable concern (Credle et 

al. 1994; National Marine Mammal Laboratory unpublished 

information). Thus, this information may be used to suggest a minimum number of marine mammals that are killed 

or seriously injured incidental to fishing operations, but the 

number is generally considered unreliable and these data 

are not utilized for bycatch estimation in this report.

A second source of information on marine mammal bycatch, and one that is used to estimate bycatch in this report, is stranding data. Stranding occurs when a marine 

mammal or sea turtle swims or floats to the shore and becomes beached (alive or dead) on land or stuck in shallow 

water, and also applies to dead animals floating at sea. The 

Marine Mammal Health and Strandings Response Program 

(MMHSRP) was established to facilitate reporting of stranding events, respond to stranding events, and to collect biological information on stranded animals. Volunteer stranding 

networks in all coastal states carry out these activities. Human-caused mortality documented by stranding networks 

(e.g., as evidenced by vessel strikes, gunshot wounds, or 

net or knife marks) is counted toward total annual humancaused mortality in marine mammal stock assessments. 

These estimates include strandings that demonstrate clear 

evidence of a fishery interaction, and are therefore classified as bycatch. However, it is not always possible to link 

each interaction to a specific fishery or type of fishing activity. 

2.4 Logbooks

Logbooks provide a detailed record of a vessel’s fishing activity. They are completed onboard the vessel by the captain or a designated crew member (NMFS 2005). Reporting 

requirements for logbooks, which may also be called vessel 

trip reports (VTRs), catch reports, or trip tickets, are mandated and defined in Federal or state fishery management 

plans (FMPs) and differ by region and fishery. Typically, 

the information required includes gear type, date, time of 

day, location, weather conditions, deployment information 

(e.g., tow length and number of hooks set), and weight and 

species composition of catch (as well as total or retained 

catch, or product in some cases). Logbooks that require 

bycatch reporting are required under 39 FMPs (Table 2.1). 

Logbooks may also be a source of supplemental data, such 

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DATA SOURCES FOR ESTIMATING BYCATCH

Region Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Bycatch required to be reported

Northeast

Groundfish Multispecies All discards, including protected species

Atlantic Scallop All discards, including protected species

Monkfish All discards, including protected species

Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass All discards, including protected species

Tilefish All discards, including protected species

Atlantic Bluefish All discards, including protected species

Atlantic Herring All discards, including protected species

Spiny Dogfish All discards, including protected species

Deep Sea Red Crab All discards, including protected species

Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish All discards, including protected species

Northeastern Skate All discards, including protected species

Northern Shrimp All discards, including protected species, 

 when a vessel has a Federal permit

Surfclam and Ocean Quahog All discards, including protected species

Atlantic Salmon1

ESA-listed species with no commercial 

 harvest. FMP prohibits possession of 

 Atlantic salmon1

Atlantic Lobster All discards, including protected species, 

 when a vessel has a Federal permit

Southeast

Consolidated Highly Migratory Species All discards, including protected species

Snapper/Grouper/Wreckfish All discards, including protected species

Coastal Migratory Pelagics All discards, including protected species

Reef Fish All discards, including protected species

Golden Crab All discards, including protected species

Shallow Water Reef Fish All discards, including protected species

Headboat/Charterboat None

Dolphin and Wahoo All discards, including protected species

Shrimp All discards, including protected species

Spiny Lobster All discards, including protected species

Stone Crab All discards, including protected species

Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region All discards, including protected species

Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region All discards, including protected species

Alaska

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish All fish, for vessels over 60 feet

Gulf of Alaska Groundfish All fish, for vessels over 60 feet

Salmon2 Discards of certain fish species 

 (no Federal logbook requirement)

King and Tanner Crab3 Discards of certain fish species 

 (no Federal logbook requirement)

Alaska Scallop4 Discards of certain fish species 

 (no Federal logbook requirement) 

Northwest

Pacific Coast Groundfish All retained catch by limited-entry trawl fishery 

West Coast Salmon Salmon (bycatch and mortalities)

Southwest Coastal Pelagics All discards, including protected species

West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species All discards, including protected species

Pacific 

Islands

Western Pacific Pelagics All discards, including protected species

Precious Corals None

Crustaceans All fish

Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish All fish

Coral Reef Ecosystems None

1 FMP prohibits possession of Atlantic salmon and any directed or bycatch fishery for Atlantic salmon in Federal waters.

2 Management delegated to the State of Alaska

3 Management of the Crab FMP is deferred to the State of Alaska, with Federal oversight.

4 The scallop fishery is jointly managed by the State of Alaska and NMFS.

Table 2.1 

Requirements for bycatch reporting by FMP. Where an FMP is implemented 

across NMFS regions, it is listed under the lead NMFS region only. 

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as fishing effort and gear characteristics that are used in 

estimating bycatch.

Compared with observer programs, logbooks are considerably less expensive and present fewer logistical challenges. However, underreporting of bycatch species is a serious concern. Additionally, if there is inadequate compliance 

with logbook requirements, or reporting misrepresents actual fishing effort, the bycatch estimates derived from these 

data will be inaccurate. Where possible, analyses should 

be undertaken that compare self-reported bycatch data to 

observer data (e.g., Rago et al. 2005) so that biases in the 

data can be identified and addressed. 

2.5. Production and Dealer Reports

Production and dealer reports typically do not provide bycatch data; in most cases they provide ancillary data that 

may be used in the bycatch estimation process. Production reports are completed on a daily or weekly basis, and 

provide information by species and reporting area. The 

NMFS requires this type of report for shoreside processors, 

factory motherships, catcher-processors, and floating processors that participate in the Alaska groundfish fisheries. 

Production reports contain information on species weights, 

types of each product produced, and discard that occurs 

during the reporting period. In other regions, dealers who 

purchase fish from commercial fishermen are required 

by regulation to complete reports indicating the species, 

weight, and value of fish purchased. These dealer reports 

provide important information about harvest levels, species 

composition, and economic value of the fishery. As with all 

industry-reported data it is generally not possible to verify 

the reported information.

2.6 Port Sampling and 

Dockside Monitoring 

Port sampling utilizes trained biologists to collect fishery 

information and biological samples from fishermen and/or 

dealers at the dock. Port samplers collect information on biological characteristics of retained catch. Because bycatch 

is not observed by port samplers, they do not provide direct 

data on bycatch or discards. They may, however, provide 

ancillary information that is useful in bycatch estimation. 

Dockside monitors are responsible for verifying species 

sorting and weighing at shoreside plants that receive deliveries from catcher vessels participating in the West Coast 

fishery for Pacific hake. Since discard at sea is severely 

restricted by regulation in this fishery, most of the catch is 

retained. However, retained catch composition and weight 

data may be useful ancillary information for bycatch estimation.

2.7 Vessel Monitoring Systems 

Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are required in many 

fisheries and have been installed on more than 5,000 fishing vessels in the U.S. These systems report vessel location information and can be used to track fishing operations. 

While VMS are implemented for compliance purposes, they 

can provide information that is useful in bycatch estimation. 

For example, VMS data on location, heading, and speed 

(derived from location information) may provide ancillary 

information for bycatch (or catch) estimation (Deng et al. 

2005; Murawski et al. 2005; Mills et al. 2007).

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REPORT METHODS

Section 3

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report 

Methods

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Photo on previous page: An inside view of a fishing net’s bycatch 

reduction device. Photo credit: NOAA.

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REPORT METHODS

SECTION 3 U.S. National Bycatch Report Methods

3.1 Overview

This section describes the various processes developed 

during the preparation of the U.S. National Bycatch Report, 

including a system for evaluating data collection programs 

and estimation methods (the tier classification system); the 

identification of subsets of stocks (key stocks) and fisheries 

(fisheries of focus) based on levels of bycatch in relation 

to overall catch; and the development of fisheries bycatch 

estimation improvement plans. Two performance measures 

were derived from this process that will assist in monitoring improvements to bycatch estimates over time. First, the 

fisheries tier classification system will be used to monitor 

progress in bycatch data collection and estimation in fisheries recommended for improvements (i.e., advancing individual fisheries from lower to higher tiers over time). Second, the subset of key stocks will be used to monitor stock, 

population, and regional bycatch trends over time.

The tier classification system was used to evaluate the data 

collection programs and estimation methods for all fisheries included in this report. The classification system applied standardized criteria to evaluate bycatch data collection programs and analytical approaches used to estimate 

bycatch for each individual fishery. Fisheries were classified in one of five tiers (Tiers 0–4). Fisheries classified in 

lower tiers (Tiers 0–2) will require improvements in bycatch 

data collection and/or estimation methods, while fisheries 

classified in higher tiers (Tiers 3–4) are characterized by 

high-quality bycatch estimates. This process assumes that 

improvements in bycatch data collection programs and analytical approaches will translate into improvements in the 

reliability of bycatch estimates used in fisheries management. Section 3.2 provides further details on the tier classification system.

Bycatch estimates were provided for all fisheries in this report for which data and analytical methods supported estimation. Bycatch estimates were also provided for individual 

fish and marine mammal stocks, and sea turtle and seabird 

populations, where data were available. The bycatch estimates provided in this report are the best available information for federally managed commercial fisheries. However, 

in some cases they may be incomplete because bycatch 

data were not available for all fisheries where a given species is bycaught (e.g., state, international, tribal, or recreational fisheries). Fishery bycatch estimates were calculated as the sum of all bycatch within a particular fishery. 

Stock bycatch estimates were calculated as the sum of all 

bycatch of that stock across all fisheries where bycatch estimates were calculated (Figure 3.1). For simplicity, the term 

stock is used throughout this report in discussing estimates 

made at the population, species, or species group level.

Bycatch ratios were developed for both individual fish 

stocks (stock bycatch ratio) and individual fisheries (fishery bycatch ratio) to aid in the evaluation of bycatch levels 

(further described in sections 3.3.1.1 and 3.4, respectively). 

The ratio utilizes the basic calculation of bycatch divided by 

total catch (where total catch is calculated as bycatch plus 

landings). While other methods are available to calculate 

a bycatch ratio (e.g., bycatch/landings or a weighted average), utilizing total catch in the calculation is considered 

the standard approach (and is utilized in both comparative 

reports, Kelleher 2004 and Harrington et al. 2005). Bycatch 

ratios were not calculated for protected species since landings of protected species do not occur. The bycatch ratio 

is not a perfect measure of the contribution of bycatch to 

total mortality, because not all sources of mortality are accounted for and because not all discarded fish die. Often, 

the information necessary to correct for these two deficiencies was not available. For instance, a bycatch ratio was 

not calculated if either the bycatch or landings data were 

unavailable. Also, since this report did not include state, 

recreational, or international fisheries, both the bycatch and 

landings data for some fisheries may be incomplete. 

Key stocks were identified based on the level of bycatch 

in relation to overall catch, the management importance of 

the stock/population, and overall stock status (see Section 

Figure 3.1 

Bycatch estimates were calculated at both fishery and stock 

levels (sample values are included for illustration). The 

downward arrow illustrates how bycatch estimates were 

calculated by fishery (e.g., the total of all stocks caught 

within fishery A); the arrow pointing right illustrates how 

bycatch estimates were calculated by stock (e.g., the total 

amount of stocks 1–3 caught by all fisheries).

Fishery

A

Fishery

B

Fishery

C

Total

stock

bycatch

Stock 1 1 0 0 1

Stock 2 1 2 0 3

Stock 3 2 5 3 10

Total

fishery

bycatch

4 7 3

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

3.3 for further details). Fisheries of focus were identified as 

those having bycatch of key stocks or overall bycatch levels above a specified cutoff. All stocks and fisheries were 

further reviewed based on standardized qualitative criteria 

(described in Section 3.3.4 and Section 3.4.1, respectively) 

to address issues that were not explicitly included in the 

development of the bycatch estimates, such as public perception of a bycatch problem or lack of bycatch data. 

Fisheries bycatch estimation improvement plans were developed for all fisheries of focus. All improvement plans 

were developed using a standard format, and address issues such as fishery tier, observer days at sea, feasibility, 

and management issues. Improvement plans may provide 

recommendations for implementing new or enhanced data 

collection programs and/or estimation methods, or may focus on the maintenance of current programs (see Section 

3.4.2 for more information).

3.2  Tier Classification System

The tier classification system was developed to evaluate 

the quality of bycatch data and the reliability of estimation 

methods used to develop bycatch estimates for selected 

commercial fisheries. Appendix E lists the fisheries included in this report and identifies those evaluated through the 

tier process. Results of the tier classification process are 

presented by region and fishery in Section 4. 

Some fisheries were grouped to reflect protected species 

bycatch estimation procedures (e.g., several types of gillnet might be grouped as “New England Gillnet Fisheries”). 

Grouped fisheries were evaluated as a whole for their data 

quality and methods for estimating protected species bycatch. So that those scores could be compared with tier 

scores for individual fisheries, the protected species tier 

score for each group was also assigned (“cascaded down”) 

to the individual fisheries in the group. It is important to 

stress, however, that in these cases (indicated in tables in 

this report by *) the fisheries were evaluated and assigned 

tier scores as part of a group. 

3.2.1 Criteria and Scores for Tier 

Classification System

The tier classification system assigned each fishery to one 

of five tiers (Tier 0 to Tier 4). Fisheries classified in Tier 0 

typically had no bycatch data collection or estimation method, while fisheries classified in Tier 4 had reliable bycatch 

estimates based on long-term observer data. The tiers are 

described in Section 3.2.2. The tier classification process was 

carried out for three separate groups of marine species:

•	 all fish and invertebrate stocks managed under the MSA 

(“MSA fish stocks”) 

•	 all marine mammal stocks (“marine mammals”)

•	 all other protected species: includes all ESA-listed fish, 

sea turtle, and seabird populations (“other protected species”)

These categories ensured that the tier classifications within 

each grouping reflect the data and methods used to estimate bycatch. 

The criteria used in the tier classification system were developed through a national workshop with participation from 

all regional National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Science Centers and Regional Offices, as well as Headquarters 

Offices. The initial design of the classification system was 

based on a similar system applied to the evaluation of fish 

stock assessments (NMFS 2001). The criteria were based 

on the critical components required to provide reliable and 

accurate bycatch estimates. The classification system was 

tested on several regional fisheries during the workshop to 

ensure that the scoring system worked for the full range of 

fisheries. A team of regional experts (Appendix F) applied 

the standardized criteria to score all fisheries within their 

regions. A second workshop was conducted to review the 

initial regional scores from a national perspective. Modifications and clarifications were made to the criteria to ensure 

consistency. The final submitted scores were reviewed by 

the National Observer Program and the National Bycatch 

Report Steering Committee (Appendix G) and discrepancies were reconciled with the relevant regional teams.

The major criteria used in the tier classification system (Table 3.1) were:

1) adequacy of bycatch data, which evaluated bycatch data 

collected through observer programs and self-reported 

industry logbooks; 

2) availability of supplemental data used as extrapolation 

factors for unobserved components of the fishery, for 

stratification and imputation (a way of filling in missing 

data), as model covariates, and to verify self-reported 

industry data; 

3) adequacy of database and information technology (IT) 

considerations (used to link data to generate timely bycatch estimates); and 

4) quality of analytical approaches (bycatch estimation 

method assumptions, peer reviews, statistical bias of 

estimators, and development of uncertainty estimates). 

The scoring system for each of these criteria was developed 

to provide higher scores for higher-quality bycatch data and 

for more robust and reliable estimation methods. The major criteria were also weighted to provide higher scores for 

those criteria that are more important to the development of 

reliable bycatch estimates; for example, observer bycatch 

data were weighted more heavily than self-reported industry bycatch data because they are more reliable.

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REPORT METHODS

The majority of the criteria used in the tier classification system were quantifiable. The longevity of observer programs, 

sampling design, availability of industry and supplemental 

data, peer review and/or publication of sampling design 

and analytical methods, and development of measures of 

uncertainty could all be evaluated and scored through the 

tier classification system in a systematic and standardized 

manner (Table 3.1). However, several of the criteria were 

more subjective, such as vessel-selection and observer 

bias, spatial and temporal coverage, database and IT considerations, and statistical bias of estimators. Guidance on 

the more subjective criteria was provided by the National 

Bycatch Report Steering Committee to ensure consistency 

in scoring among regions. Evaluations of vessel selection 

and observer bias were based on a formal review of bias in 

NMFS observer programs (Vølstad and Fogarty 2006). Spatial and temporal coverage levels were evaluated as either 

limited or synoptic based on the geographic and temporal 

scope of the program. Limited observer programs were defined to be of a lesser geographic and temporal scope than 

the scope of the fishery. Database and IT considerations 

were evaluated in the context of linking observer data with 

supplemental data to facilitate timely generation of bycatch 

estimates. Biases associated with the estimators used in 

the analytical methods were evaluated based on measures 

of association, cross validation, and other factors. The 

guidance provided on these criteria was intended to ensure 

consistency; however, the evaluation and scoring were also 

based on the in-depth knowledge of the biologists and assessment scientists within each region. 

Seabirds hover above the water near long, baited fishing lines deployed 

from the stern of a ship. The red streamers flap in the wind to discourage 

the birds from coming after the baited hooks.

Washingotn Sea Grant, NOAA

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Tier Classification Criteria Scores

 

 Adequacy of Bycatch Data

Observer Data 33 points total maximum

score, broken down as:

Longevity of Observer Data

0 = No observer program has ever been implemented.

5 points

1 = Observer program was conducted prior to 1995.

2 = Observer program was conducted on one or more occasions during 1995–2000, but not annually.

3 = Observer program was conducted annually during 1995–2000 and not subsequently.

4 = Observer program was conducted on one or more occasions from 2001 to present, but not annually.

5 = Observer program has been conducted annually from 2001 to present.

Sampling Frame

0 = No sampling frame

2 = Partial sampling frame 3 points

3 = Complete sampling frame

Sampling Design

Sampling of Vessels/Permits/ Licenses

4 points

0 = No observer program, or sampling design does not support bycatch or total catch estimation.

1 = Opportunistic or haphazard sampling, including voluntary observer programs, to support bycatch or 

total catch estimation.

2 = Random sampling scheme or probability-based sampling with moderate observer coverage levels to 

support bycatch or total catch estimation.

3 = Random sampling scheme or probability sampling with adequate observer coverage levels to 

support bycatch or total catch estimation.

4 = Near-census of vessels with estimation required, or census of vessels with no estimation required.

Sampling of Trips

4 points

0 = No observer program, or sampling design does not support bycatch or total catch estimation.

1 = Opportunistic or haphazard sampling, including voluntary observer programs, to support bycatch or 

total catch estimation.

2 = Random sampling scheme or probability-based sampling with pilot/baseline observer coverage 

levels to support bycatch or total catch estimation.

3 = Random sampling scheme or probability sampling with adequate observer coverage levels to 

support bycatch or total catch estimation.

4 = Near-census of trips with estimation required, or census of trips with no estimation required.

Sampling of Hauls

4 points

0 = No observer program, or sampling design does not support bycatch or total catch estimation.

1 = Opportunistic or haphazard sampling, including voluntary observer programs, to support bycatch or 

total catch estimation.

2 = Random sampling scheme or probability-based sampling to support bycatch or total catch estimation.

3 = Near-census of hauls with estimation required.

4 = Census of hauls with no estimation required.

Design Implementation

Spatial Coverage

2 points Add 0 points if no observer program has ever been implemented.

Add 1 point if spatial coverage is limited.

Add 2 points if spatial coverage is synoptic.

Table 3.1

Criteria and scoring used to evaluate bycatch data quality and estimation methods through the tier classification system. Details are provided in Appendix H.

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REPORT METHODS

Tier Classification Criteria Scores

 

 Adequacy of Bycatch Data

Observer Data (cont.) 33 points total maximum

score, broken down as:

Temporal Coverage

2 points Add 0 points if no observer program has ever been implemented.

Add 1 point if temporal coverage is limited.

Add 2 points if temporal coverage is synoptic.

Vessel-Selection Bias

Add 0 points if vessel-selection bias is high or unknown 2 points

Add 2 points if vessel-selection bias is negligible or no bias exists.

Observer Bias

Add 0 points if observer bias is high or unknown. 2 points

Add 2 points if observer bias is negligible or no bias exists.

Data Quality Control

0 = No observer program, or no data quality control.

5 points

1 = Limited or incomplete observer training, no debriefing or other quality control.

2 = One-time observer training, no debriefing or other quality-control measures.

3 = Periodic observer training, minimal quality-control measures.

4 = One time observer training, comprehensive quality-control measures.

5 = Periodic observer training, comprehensive quality-control measures.

Industry Bycatch Data 2 points total maximum score,

broken down as:

0 = No industry bycatch data are available, or industry bycatch data are not used as a basis for bycatch 

estimates.

2 points 1 = Industry bycatch data available prior to 2000 are used as a basis for bycatch estimates.

2 = Industry bycatch data available from 2000 to present are used as a basis for bycatch estimates.

Supplemental Data 10 points total maximum

score, broken down as:

Data available for use as expansion factors for unobserved components of the fishery.

Add 0 points if supplemental data are not available as expansion factors.

Add 1 point if limited supplemental data are available as expansion factors. 2 points

Add 2 points if extensive supplemental data are available or data are not necessary as expansion factors.

Data available for stratification.

Add 0 points if supplemental data are not available for stratification.

Add 1 point if limited supplemental data are available for stratification. 2 points

Add 2 points if extensive supplemental data are available or data are not necessary for stratification.

Data available for imputation.

Add 0 points if supplemental data are not available for imputation.

Add 1 point if limited supplemental data are available for imputation. 2 points

Add 2 points if extensive supplemental data are available or data are not necessary for imputation.

Data available for model covariates.

Add 0 points if supplemental data are not available for model covariates.

Add 1 point if limited supplemental data are available for model covariates. 2 points

Add 2 points if extensive supplemental data are available or data are not necessary for model covariates.

Table 3.1 (continued)

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Tier Classification Criteria Scores

 

 Adequacy of Bycatch Data

Supplemental Data (cont.) 10 points total maximum

score, broken down as:

Industry data verified.

Add 0 points if industry data are not verified or no industry data are available.

Add 1 point if some relevant industry data are verified. 2 points

Add 2 points if all relevant industry data are verified.

Database / IT Considerations 2 points total maximum score,

broken down as:

0 = No observer data and/or supplemental data are available.

1 = Analytical approach is constrained because of database/IT considerations. 2 points

3 = Analytical approach is not constrained because of database/IT considerations.

Quality of the Bycatch Estimate

Analytical Approach 25 points total maximum

score, broken down as:

Assumptions Identified, Tested, and Appropriate

0 = No bycatch estimation methodologies.

10 points

1 = Assumptions not identified or tested.

3 = Assumptions identified and tested, but no assumptions have been resolved.

5 = Minor assumptions identified, tested, and determined to be appropriate or resolved.

8 = Critical assumptions identified, tested, and determined to be appropriate or resolved.

10 = All assumptions identified, tested, and determined to be appropriate or resolved.

Peer Reviewed / Published

Observer Program Sampling Design

4 points

Add 0 points if the observer program sampling design has not been peer reviewed, or if the sampling 

design is found to be seriously flawed during peer review.

Add 2 points if the observer program sampling design has been internally peer reviewed, or if 

problems were found during a peer review but they have not been fully addressed.

Add 4 points if the observer program design has been externally peer reviewed.

Analytical Approach

4 points

Add 0 points if the analytical approach has not been peer reviewed, or if the analytical approach is found 

to be seriously flawed during peer review

Add 2 points if the analytical approach has been internally peer reviewed, or if problems were found 

during a peer review but they have not been fully addressed.

Add 4 points if the analytical approach has been externally peer reviewed.

Statistical Bias of Estimators

0 = No bycatch estimation methodologies, or statistical bias is unknown.

2 = Estimators have high statistical bias. 4 points

4 = Estimators have negligible statistical bias or are not statistically biased, or census sampling.

Measures of Uncertainty

0 = No bycatch estimation methodologies.

4 points 1 = Measures of uncertainty are not calculated.

2 = Measures of uncertainty are calculated, but not at all levels (vessel/permit/license, trip, and haul). 

3 = Measures of uncertainty are calculated at all levels (vessel/permit/license, trip, and haul).

Table 3.1 (continued)

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3.2.2 General Description of Tiers

The following provides a general description of the five 

tiers used to classify fisheries for each of the three stock or 

population groups. Tier descriptions were based on quality 

of bycatch and supplemental data and the reliability of the 

methods used to estimate bycatch.

Tier 0 (total score = 0). Bycatch data collection programs 

have not been implemented for Tier 0 fisheries; therefore, 

neither a method for estimating bycatch nor estimates of 

bycatch are available. 

Tier 1 (total score = 1–31). The bycatch estimates calculated for Tier 1 fisheries were typically based on outdated or 

unreliable information. Observer data were not available, or 

had not been collected during the last ten years, or serious 

deficiencies or limitations in the design of the observer program were identified. Design deficiencies for Tier 1 fisheries 

with observer programs may include the lack of a complete 

sampling frame; inadequate temporal or spatial coverage; 

or opportunistic selection of vessels, trips, or hauls. Bias 

associated with vessel selection or observer sampling may 

be high or unknown in Tier 1 observer programs, and bycatch data quality-control systems were generally absent or 

inadequate. Self-reported data were used in place of or to 

supplement observer program data in approximately 50% 

of Tier 1 fisheries for which bycatch estimates were available. In other Tier 1 fisheries, supplemental data were unavailable or inadequate. 

The majority of Tier 1 fisheries did not utilize analytical approaches for the calculation of bycatch estimates, or employed methods with outstanding issues which should be 

resolved. Where analytical approaches were implemented 

to estimate bycatch, they had generally not been peer reviewed, or had been reviewed only internally. For the majority of Tier 1 fisheries with bycatch estimates, assumptions 

in the analytical approach had been identified and tested, 

and some minor assumptions may have been resolved. Of 

the Tier 1 fisheries with an analytical approach, about half 

had high statistical bias. Measures of uncertainty were calculated for the majority of bycatch estimates, but typically 

those measures did not recognize uncertainty for all levels 

(vessel, trip, and haul). A few fisheries in Tier 1 did not have 

estimates of uncertainty associated with their bycatch estimates. 

Tier 2 (total score = 32–48). Bycatch estimates calculated 

for Tier 2 fisheries were typically based on inconsistent or 

unreliable information. Bycatch data for the majority of these 

fisheries were derived from self-reported logbooks. Current 

or recent observer data were available for some of these 

fisheries. In those fisheries with observer programs, sampling frames were usually partial or complete but sampling 

designs were inadequate. Sampling at all levels (vessel, 

trip, and haul) may have been inadequate or inconsistent, 

with approaches ranging between opportunistic and census. Spatial or temporal coverage in the observer programs 

may have been limited or synoptic, and programs were often 

characterized by high or unknown levels of vessel selection 

and observer bias. Observer training, with an emphasis on 

data quality, occurred in the majority of observed Tier 2 fisheries. However, data quality control may have been lacking 

or absent. Supplemental data availability in Tier 2 fisheries 

varied in quality and scope; some supplemental data were 

available for most, but not all of these fisheries. 

Analytical approaches to developing bycatch estimates in 

Tier 2 fisheries were generally deficient in several aspects. 

Methods employed in about half of those Tier 2 fisheries 

for which bycatch levels were estimated had not been peer 

reviewed, while the remainder had been peer reviewed 

internally or externally. In many cases, the analytical approach was constrained by database or other computational considerations (e.g., logbook and observer databases 

not linked). In most cases, assumptions were identified 

and tested, but problems with the assumptions were not 

resolved. Measures of uncertainty were calculated for the 

majority of the bycatch estimates, although they may not 

have accounted for uncertainty at all levels in the process 

(vessel, trip, and haul). For a small number of Tier 2 fisheries, bycatch estimates were available without measures of 

uncertainty, or were not available at all.

Tier 3 (total score = 49–65). Observer program data collection had occurred in 2001–2005 in the majority of Tier 

3 fisheries, although not necessarily on an annual basis. 

Only older observer data were available for some fisheries in this tier, and observer data were not available at all 

in a few instances. Where observer data were available, 

sampling frames were either partial or complete. However, 

sampling designs varied markedly. While the majority of the 

sampling designs included either random or probabilitybased sampling with moderate observer coverage at all 

sampling levels, opportunistic and census or near-census 

sampling designs were also found. Sampling designs had 

been externally peer reviewed and determined to be appropriate for most Tier 3 fishery observer programs. Spatial 

and temporal coverage of observer programs was often 

limited or synoptic, and in most cases there was little to no 

vessel-selection or observer bias. For most Tier 3 fisheries, 

supplemental data were extensive or not required by the 

bycatch estimation process, although self-reported bycatch 

data were available in many cases. Data quality-control 

systems in Tier 3 fisheries varied, ranging from minimal observer training and data quality control to frequent training 

and comprehensive data quality controls. 

The bycatch estimates calculated for Tier 3 fisheries were 

based on reliable observer program information or recent 

logbook data. Overall, the analytical approach for Tier 3 

fisheries was typically robust and had been peer reviewed 

(internally or externally), but some analytical concerns 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

might remain. Analytical assumptions were identified, tested, and, in most cases, any problems with the assumptions 

had been resolved. Although estimators employed in the 

majority of analytical approaches had little to no statistical 

bias, high statistical bias did occur in some cases. Bycatch 

estimates typically included associated measures of uncertainty, although these measures may not have incorporated 

uncertainty associated with all levels in the sampling and 

estimation process (vessel, trip, and haul). 

Tier 4 (total score = 66–73). Bycatch estimates were calculated for all Tier 4 fisheries. These estimates were based 

on reliable observer program data collected on an annual 

basis for at least the past five years. Design deficiencies in 

these programs were negligible or nonexistent. Sampling 

frames were partial or complete. Although a variety of sampling schemes was utilized, in all cases observer coverage 

was adequate at the vessel, trip, and haul sampling levels. 

In Tier 4 fisheries, sampling designs were externally peer 

reviewed and determined to be appropriate. Spatial and 

temporal coverage in the observer programs was synoptic, 

and vessel-selection and observer bias were negligible or 

absent. Appropriate supplemental data were available to 

extrapolate the observed bycatch to total fishery bycatch 

where not all fishing activities were observed. Comprehensive data-quality controls were in place, and integrated databases for the various data sources facilitated analytical 

procedures in most cases. 

The analytical approaches used to estimate bycatch in Tier 

4 fisheries were considered to be appropriate and defensible. In addition to being externally peer reviewed, all or at 

least the critical assumptions of the analytical methods had 

been addressed and determined to be acceptable. Statistical bias was negligible or absent in the estimators, and 

measures of uncertainty were calculated for the majority 

of bycatch estimates (though not necessarily incorporating 

the uncertainty associated with all levels of the process). 

3.2.3  Application of the Tier Classification System

Scores derived from the tier classification system provided 

a method to evaluate bycatch data quality in relation to the 

reliability of bycatch estimates (Figure 3.2). A maximum 

score of 48 points was possible for bycatch data quality: the 

sum of Adequacy of Observer Bycatch Data + Adequacy of 

Industry Bycatch Data + Supplemental Data + Database / 

IT Considerations (Table 3.1). A maximum of 25 points was 

possible for the reliability of the bycatch estimation method 

(total score for Analytical Approach; Table 3.1). Scores for 

all three groups (MSA fish stocks, marine mammals, and 

other protected species) were included in the analysis. 

Fisheries classified as Tier 0 had no bycatch data and no 

bycatch estimation methods; therefore, the scores for both 

these criteria were zero. Due to the variations of scoring 

combinations that can occur when applying these criteria to 

individual fisheries, the range of overall scores for fisheries 

in Tier 1 through Tier 3 is broad. However, there is a general 

increasing trend in the reliability of the bycatch estimates as 

quality of the bycatch data improves (Figure 3.2).

To further illustrate the application of the tier classification 

system, and to show the range of possible tier scores, the 

cases of five individual regional fisheries are presented in 

Table 3.2. The examples provide information related to fish 

stocks only, but the application of the method was similar 

for the other resource categories (marine mammals and 

other protected species).

The California herring gillnet fishery (column 3 in Table 3.2) 

did not have any bycatch data collection programs or bycatch estimation methods. Therefore, this fishery scored 

zero for all criteria, which resulted in classification in Tier 0. 

The South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline fishery (column 4 in Table 3.2) has bycatch estimates developed from 

logbook data. However, given the lack of observer data, the 

overall score for this fishery was low—only 19. This resulted 

in classification in Tier 1. 

The West Coast groundfish non-endorsed fixed gear fishery (column 5 in Table 3.2) has a recent long-term observer 

program and a self-reported industry program for the collection of bycatch data. However, the observer program 

does not have a sampling frame and the sampling design 

has problems with spatial and temporal coverage and bias 

associated with vessel selection. The methods for estimating bycatch in this fishery are not fully developed, which 

resulted in a lower score for analytical approach (4 out of a 

maximum of 25). Therefore, the overall score for this fishery 

was 33, resulting in placement in Tier 2. 

The mid-Atlantic extra-large-mesh gillnet fishery (column 

6 in Table 3.2) has a long-term observer program and a 

self-reporting program for collection of bycatch data. Supplemental data are available and the analytical approach 

received a high score. This fishery was classified as Tier 

3, with an overall score of 62. However, the cutoff score 

between a Tier 3 and a Tier 4 fishery is 66. Therefore, only 

slight modifications would be required to move this fishery 

into Tier 4. This example illustrates the need to evaluate the 

overall score for each fishery, rather than simply relying on 

its placement in a certain tier. 

The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands pollock trawl fishery (column 7 in Table 3.2) has scores similar to the mid-Atlantic 

extra-large-mesh gillnet fishery, with a slightly higher overall 

score of 67. This fishery was classified in Tier 4. 

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Figure 3.2 

Quality of bycatch data and estimation method, and 

resulting tier classifications of fisheries included in the 

U.S. National Bycatch Report (n = 400).

Skate bycatch off New England.

Photo credit: Lee Beneka, NMFS

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Quality of bycatch data

(point score)

Tier 0

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

Quality of the analytical approach

(point score)

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Table 3.2 

Tier classification of fisheries on the basis of scores for bycatch data 

collection and estimation, illustrated for five selected fisheries. The 

examples provide tier scores for fish bycatch estimates only.

Scoring criteria

Maximum

possible 

points

California 

herring 

gillnet

South 

Atlantic 

handline

West Coast 

groundfish

nonendorsed 

fixed gear

Mid-Atlantic 

extra-largemesh gillnet

Bering Sea/

Aleutian 

Islands 

pollock 

trawl

Adequacy of Observer Bycatch Data

Longevity of observer program 5 0 0 5 5 5

Sampling frame 3 0 0 0 2 3

Sampling design

Vessels / Permits / Licenses 4 0 0 1 2 4

Trips 4 0 0 3 2 4

Hauls 4 0 0 3 3 3

Design implementation

Spatial coverage 2 0 0 1 2 2

Temporal coverage 2 0 0 2 1 2

Vessel-selection bias 2 0 0 0 2 2

Observer bias 2 0 0 0 2 2

Data-quality control 5 0 0 5 5 5

SECTION TOTAL 33 0 0 20 26 32

Adequacy of Industry Bycatch Data

SECTION TOTAL 2 0 2 2 2 2

Supplemental Data

Extrapolation factors for unobserved 

components of the fishery 2 0 1 2 2 2

Stratification 2 0 1 1 2 2

Imputation 2 0 1 1 2 2

Model covariates 2 0 1 1 2 2

Industry data verification 2 0 1 1 1 2

SECTION TOTAL 10 0 5 6 9 10

Database / IT Considerations

SECTION TOTAL 3 0 1 1 3 3

Analytical Approach

Assumptions 10 0 5 3 8 8

Peer review / Publication

Observer program sampling design 4 0 2 0 4 4

Analytical approach 4 0 2 0 4 4

Statistical bias of estimators 4 0 2 0 4 3

Measures of uncertainty 3 0 2 1 2 1

SECTION TOTAL 25 0 11 4 22 20

OVERALL SCORE 73 0 19 33 62 67

TIER 4 0 1 2 3 4

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3.3  Identification of Key Stocks

Bycatch estimates for individual fish stocks and marine 

mammal, sea turtle, and seabird populations were calculated for all fisheries where bycatch data and estimation 

methods were available. Standardized criteria were applied 

to all stocks with bycatch estimates to identify key stocks: 

those stocks that have high bycatch levels, are important to 

management, and/or for which there are stock status concerns. Bycatch of key stocks was used as one of the triggers to identify fisheries of focus (discussed in Section 3.4). 

Bycatch estimates from these key stocks will also be used 

to monitor stock, population, and regional bycatch trends 

over time.

The identification of key stocks was based on three criteria 

(details in Table 3.3 and Figure 3.3):

•	 bycatch level of the stock

•	 management importance of stock or population

•	 overall stock or population status

The criteria for evaluating management importance and 

overall stock or population status are partially linked, in particular for marine mammals. However, it was necessary to 

evaluate both criteria, since a fish stock may be important 

to management but not be overfished or experiencing overfishing. In this case, the stock would not be identified as a 

key stock even though it is important to management.

These three criteria were evaluated separately for MSA fish 

stocks, marine mammal stocks, seabird populations, and 

ESA populations. The initial process was based on a quantitative evaluation of stock or population bycatch estimates. 

Since bycatch estimates were not available for all stocks 

or populations, a qualitative process was also developed 

to help determine whether stocks or populations should be 

classified as key stocks. This was necessary since stocks 

that do not have bycatch estimates may still be of bycatch 

concern.

3.3.1 Evaluation of Stock Bycatch Level 

and Stock Bycatch Ratio

Bycatch estimates were evaluated using standardized criteria to identify whether a potential bycatch concern existed. 

Separate sets of criteria were developed for ESA populations, marine mammals, seabirds, and fish stocks. 

ESA populations—all were designated as key stocks, regardless of bycatch levels.

Marine mammals—stocks for which the calculated bycatch 

level exceeded the zero mortality rate goal (ZMRG) (At this 

level the rate of incidental mortality and serious injury incidental to fishing is estimated to be insignificant, i.e. approaches a zero serious injury and mortality rate). 

Table 3.3 

Sources of criteria for identifying key stocks.

Stock/population 

Evaluation of potential 

bycatch problems

Evaluation of 

management importance

Evaluation of 

stock/population status

ESA populations All ESA populations are designated as key stocks

MSA fish stocks Ratio of discards to (discards 

+ landings) FSSI-listed species (Y/N)a FSSI stock statusa 

Marine mammal stocks Bycatch level greater than 

ZMRGb ZMRGb 

Marine mammal stock 

assessment stock status 

determinations

Seabird populations Based on information 

provided by USFWSc USFWS BCCc list Based on information provided by USFWSc

a The Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) identifies high priority stocks for management purposes. See http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.

htm. b Zero mortality-rate goal (ZMRG) is the common term for the “insignificance threshold,” defined as 10% of a stock’s potential biological removal level. See http://

www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/zmrg. c The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) list identifies seabird species of management importance; the BCC list from 

2002 (USFWS 2002) was used in this edition of the U.S. National Bycatch Report. See http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/.

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Figure 3.3 

Quantitative process used to identify key stocks.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

 

 

 

Is the stock an

ESA-listed stock?

NO

Stock-specific

bycatch estimates

Available

Evaluate stock bycatch levels

Fish: Is the discard/(discard+landings) ratio 

 greater than the baseline criteria?

Seabirds: Is the bycatch level high or unknown?

YES

Evaluate stock management importance

Fish: Is the stock an FSSI stock?

Marine mammals: Is the bycatch value greater

 than ZMRG?

Seabirds: Is the seabird population listed as a

 BCC population?

Evaluate stock status

Fish: Is the stock overfished or is overfishing 

 occurring?

Marine mammals: Is the MMPA stock assessment 

 status declining or unknown?

Seabirds: Is the population status declining or 

 unknown?

YES

YES

Key stocks YES

Non-key stocks

Non-key stocks

Stocks of less

importance

Not 

available

NO

NO

NO

Review through qualitative

process (Section 3.3.4)

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Seabirds – stocks identified by USFWS and NMFS scientists, based on documented interactions, research, and 

whether the population status was declining (yes, no, or 

unknown). 

MSA fish stocks – stocks for which the ratio of fish discards 

to total fish catch (fish discards + fish landings) was above 

a certain level. See Section 3.3.1.1 for details on development of the cutoff point.

Stock Bycatch Ratios

Bycatch ratios were developed for fish stocks as ds / (l

s + ds) 

where ds is the estimate of total bycatch of stock s in a given 

region and l

s is the estimate of total landings1 of stock s in 

that region, where estimates of both discards and landings 

were available. Landings used to develop the stock bycatch 

ratio were obtained from the NMFS commercial landings 

database, in order to maintain a standard reference for 

commercial catch data included in this report.2 Landings 

were associated with bycatch data based on NMFS region, 

stock names, and data years used in estimating bycatch 

(2005, except in the case of some rare-event species for 

which multiple years of data were used). This ratio was 

used because it provides a measure of the contribution of 

fish bycatch to the total fishing mortality of a stock. 

The stock bycatch ratios are presented in a summary table 

at the end of each regional section (Section 4). A frequency 

analysis of all stock bycatch ratios was conducted to select 

the cutoff for determining whether to consider designating 

a stock as a key stock (Figure 3.4). The median of the frequency distribution (0.127) was selected as the cutoff point. 

All fish stocks with bycatch ratios greater than 0.127 were 

advanced to the next stage for consideration as key stocks 

(i.e., evaluation of importance to management).

For example, if the estimated bycatch for a stock was 50,000 

lbs and total catch was 550,000 lbs, then the bycatch ratio 

was 0.09. Since this is less than the cutoff of 0.127, the 

stock was not further considered for key stock status. For 

this stock, improving the estimate of bycatch would have a 

minor effect on the estimate of total fishing mortality. Conversely, if the bycatch estimate for a stock was 400,000 lbs 

and total catch was 900,000 lbs, then the bycatch ratio was 

0.44. This stock would move to the next step in the process, 

evaluation of stock status, since the bycatch ratio of 0.44 

was higher than the cutoff of 0.127. 

3.3.2  Evaluation of Management Importance

Management importance was evaluated for each category 

1 Landed catch data used to develop a stock bycatch ratio represented commercial catch sold (i.e., not for personal use, etc.). 

2 http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/commercial

of marine resource, based on standardized criteria. Separate sets of criteria were used for marine mammals, seabirds, and fish stocks.

MSA fish stocks—The Fish Stock Sustainability Index 

(FSSI) was used as the criterion for evaluating management importance of MSA fish stocks. The FSSI is based on 

a set of 230 priority fish stocks selected for their importance 

to commercial and recreational fisheries. Criteria for selection of FSSI stocks include whether they are primary target 

species (landings greater than 200,000 pounds), whether 

they are overfished or subject to overfishing, whether they 

have assessments scheduled, whether they have previously been identified as important to management, or other 

factors as appropriate. These FSSI stocks represent about 

90% of all commercial and recreational landings in the U.S. 

The process used in this edition of the report was based 

on the first quarter 2008 FSSI list of stocks, which was the 

most recent information available when the report was developed. 

Marine mammal stocks—Marine mammal stocks of management importance were identified based on whether the 

bycatch levels were greater than ZMRG.3 This criterion is 

the same as that used to evaluate bycatch level, so it was 

applied once in the process to evaluate both bycatch level 

and management importance.

Seabird populations—Seabird populations of management 

importance were those identified on the USFWS BCC list 

(USFWS 2002).

3.3.3 Evaluation of Stock or Population Status

Stock or population status was evaluated for each category 

of marine resource based on standardized criteria. Separate criteria were used for marine mammals, seabirds, and 

fish stocks. The evaluation of stock or population status 

was partially linked to the evaluation of management importance, in that management of stocks or populations with 

declining stock status may benefit from improved bycatch 

estimates.

MSA fish—Stock status for MSA fish stocks was determined 

from the first quarter 2008 FSSI stock list. Stock status was 

categorized according to overfished status (yes, no, unknown, undefined) and whether overfishing was occurring 

(yes, no, unknown, undefined). 

If the stock was overfished or overfishing was occurring 

as of the first quarter 2008, the stock was identified as a 

key stock.

3 Under the MMPA, NMFS is directed to reduce bycatch below ZMRG, therefore stocks with bycatch levels greater than ZMRG are considered a management priority.

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Figure 3.4 

Distribution of stock bycatch ratios (ratios of fish discards to total 

catch) for all fish bycatch estimates included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report (n = 102). The red dotted line indicates the median of the 

frequency distribution, above which a stock was further considered 

for designation as a key stock. 

Marine mammals—Stock status for marine mammals was 

determined from current marine mammal stock assessments.4 Stock status was categorized as declining, stable, 

increasing, or unknown. 

If the stock status was declining or unknown, the stock 

was identified as a key stock.

Seabirds—Population status for seabird populations was 

determined in consultation with the USFWS. Population 

status was categorized as declining, stable, increasing, or 

unknown.

If the stock status was declining or unknown, the stock 

was identified as a key stock.

3.3.4 Qualitative Evaluation of Key Stocks

Regardless of whether individual stocks or populations 

were classified as key stocks through this process, they 

4 In this report, the most recent marine mammal stock assessment report 

as of 2007 was used to evaluate stock status for marine mammals. NMFS 

marine mammal stock assessments are posted at http://www.nmfs.noaa.

gov/pr/sars/.

were also evaluated against a set of standardized criteria 

that took into account an additional range of considerations. 

This qualitative process was important since many stocks 

and populations included in this report do not have bycatch 

estimates (i.e., these stocks would have automatically been 

classified as non-key stocks). Possible factors that could be 

considered as part of the qualitative process included:

•	 The FSSI stock status was used to identify fish stocks 

that were not overfished but were close to the threshold. These fish stocks were considered for addition to the 

list of key stocks since they had the potential to become 

overfished.

•	 Fish stocks that were not overfished but had a high bycatch ratio were considered for addition to the list of key 

stocks.

•	 Biological concerns, such as localized overfishing/overfished stocks, fish stocks important as prey species, 

recent declines in abundance trend, restrictions in geographic range of distribution, and other ecological issues, 

were considered even for fish stocks that were not overfished or experiencing overfishing, and for protected species with low known bycatch levels. These stocks were 

considered for addition to the list of key stocks.

•	 Biological opinions pursuant to ESA Section 7 may re0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

0 0.13 0.25 0.38 0.5 0.63 0.75 0.88 1

Stock bycatch ratio

Frequency

Cut off = .127

0 0.125 0.25 0.375 0.5 0.625 0.75 0.875 1

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REPORT METHODS

quire monitoring of a more abundant species as a proxy 

for species rarely caught in commercial or recreational 

fisheries. These proxy species were considered for addition to the list of key stocks.

•	 Regional consistency was ensured by evaluating the list 

of key stocks for adjacent regions. If a stock was distributed across adjacent regions (e.g., Gulf of Mexico and 

South Atlantic) or regional boundaries (e.g., Northeast 

and Southeast NMFS regions), the stock was considered 

for listing as a key stock in both areas. 

•	 Any stock for which there were concerns regarding public 

perception and/or high visibility of a bycatch problem was 

considered for addition to the list of key stocks.

All changes based on the qualitative process, as well as the 

reasoning behind decisions to either add or remove stocks 

from the list of key stocks, are summarized in the regional 

sections. This information was reviewed by the National 

Observer Program and the National Bycatch Steering Committee to ensure consistency in application of these criteria 

across regions.

3.4 Identifying Fisheries of Focus

A fishery of focus is a fishery that takes one or more key 

stocks as bycatch, and/or has high total levels of fish bycatch. Fisheries for which bycatch estimates were available were initially evaluated through a quantitative process 

to determine the overall fishery bycatch ratio and/or determine whether key stocks were taken as bycatch within the 

fishery (Figure 3.5). Note that the fishery bycatch ratio is 

different from the stock bycatch ratio (discussed above), in 

that the formula used to develop a fishery bycatch ratio was 

df /(l

f + df

) where df represents the total fish bycatch of fishery f, and l

f

 represents the total landings of fishery f. The 

fishery landings data were obtained from previously published data used by NMFS regions to manage fisheries. In 

the majority of cases, it was possible to calculate fishery 

bycatch ratios. However, in some fisheries, some or all of 

the fish bycatch estimates were available only as numbers 

of fish; because associated landings were provided only as 

weights, it was not possible to calculate a fishery bycatch 

ratio. Confidentiality provisions also precluded calculation 

of fishery bycatch ratios in some instances. These instances are noted in the regional sections.

A frequency analysis of all fishery bycatch ratios was generated to determine the cut-off value for determining whether 

to designate a fishery as a fishery of focus (Figure 3.6). The 

median of the frequency distribution (0.17) was chosen as 

the cutoff. Fisheries with bycatch ratios greater than 0.17 

were identified as fisheries of focus. 

3.4.1 Qualitative Evaluation of 

Fisheries of Focus

Regardless of whether a fishery was identified as a fishery of focus through the quantitative process, all fisheries 

included in this report were also evaluated against a set 

of standardized criteria, that took into account a range of 

additional considerations. This qualitative process was important since bycatch estimates are not available for many 

fisheries included in this report (i.e., these fisheries would 

have been automatically classified as not being fisheries of 

focus). The additional criteria used in this qualitative process were:

•	 Fisheries with suspected or unknown bycatch might require pilot observer programs to provide more detailed 

bycatch information. These fisheries were considered for 

addition to the list of fisheries of focus.

•	 Fisheries where the standard error of the bycatch estimate exceeded the management goal or where uncertainty estimates were not currently calculated were considered for addition to the list of fisheries of focus.

•	 Fisheries using gear with potentially high bycatch were 

considered for addition to the list of fisheries of focus 

(e.g., gillnet fisheries).

All changes based on the qualitative process, as well as 

the reasoning behind decisions to either add or remove 

fisheries from the list of fisheries of focus, are summarized 

in the regional sections. This information was reviewed by 

the National Observer Program and the National Bycatch 

Steering Committee to ensure consistency in application of 

these criteria across regions.

3.4.2  Fishery Bycatch Estimation

Improvement Plans

Fishery bycatch estimation improvement plans were developed for all fisheries of focus. The improvement plans provided documentation on each individual fishery, including 

its current tier, relevant management issues, deficiencies 

in bycatch data collection and estimation, and recommendations for improvements to bycatch data collection and 

estimation. A standard format was developed and applied 

to each fishery requiring an improvement plan, to ensure 

consistency across regions. The specific components of the 

improvement plans were:

•	 fishery name—the name of the fishery as listed in the 

regional list of fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report;

•	 fishery tiers—tiers assigned for each category (MSA fish 

stocks, marine mammals, and other protected species);

•	 relevant management issues—issues that may influence 

the collection of bycatch data or bycatch estimation within 

the fishery (e.g., management under bycatch quotas);

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•	 bycatch data collection and estimation deficiencies;

•	 recommendations for improving bycatch data collection 

and estimation—including information on feasibility, staffing requirements, and data collection needs. Recommendations were focused solely on improvements to bycatch 

data collection and analytical approaches, and did not 

consider possible management strategies for reduction 

of bycatch.

The recommendations in the fishery bycatch estimation improvement plans will be used by NMFS in budgeting and 

setting priorities. As recommendations are implemented, 

the quality of bycatch estimates will be greatly improved. 

Implementation of these recommendations and associated 

improvements in data quality can be monitored through the 

performance measures developed in this report:

•	 trends in bycatch over time for key stocks;

•	 improvements in the tier scores for individual fisheries.

Figure 3.5

Quantitative process used to identify fisheries of focus.

AVAILABLE

YES

NO

Is fishery bycatch ratio greater than 0.17 

— AND / OR —

Does fishery have bycatch of key stocks? 

 

 

Bycatch Estimate

Fishery of focus

Not a fishery of focus

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REPORT METHODS

Figure 3.6

Distribution of bycatch ratios, for all fisheries in which fish bycatch estimates in pounds were included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report 

(n = 63). The red dotted line indicates the median of the frequency 

distribution, above which a fishery was designated as a fishery of 

focus. 

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 0.13 0.25 0.38 0.5 0.63 0.75 0.88 1

Fishery Bycatch Ratio

Frequency

Cut off: 0.17

0 0.125 0.25 0.375 0.5 0.625 0.75 0.875 1

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REGIONAL FISHERIES CHARACTERISTICS

Section 4

Regional Fisheries 

Characteristics

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Photo on previous page: A gull picks bycaught eel from a fishing 

net in Maine. Photo credit: William B. Folsom, NMFS.

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REGIONAL FISHERIES CHARACTERISTICS

SECTION 4 Regional Fisheries 

Characteristics

This Section provides a region-by-region overview of fisheries bycatch and bycatch management for the six NMFS 

regions. Each regional section is divided into eight subsections: 

•	 Fisheries overview. Identifies regional fisheries managed 

at the tribal, state, Federal, or international level, as well 

as fisheries characteristics (including Federal management plans, type of gear used, target species, and available bycatch data sources).

•	 Addressing regional bycatch issues. Provides information on regional bycatch concerns and actions taken by 

NMFS and regional fishery management councils to address regional bycatch issues. 

•	 Data sources. Summarizes current bycatch data collection activities, including observer programs and self-reported data. 

•	 Bycatch estimation methods. Outlines processes used 

for developing estimates of bycatch and the associated 

uncertainty of bycatch estimates for fish, marine mammal, sea turtle, and seabird bycatch in each of the region’s fisheries for which bycatch estimates are currently 

available.

•	 Regional tier classification. Lists fish, marine mammal, 

and non-marine mammal protected species tiers (assigned according to the process outlined in Section 3.1) 

for Federally-managed fisheries and fisheries with Federal data collection programs. 

•	 Regional key stocks. Identifies those stocks, species, and 

populations designated as key stocks within each region, 

using the processes outlined in Section 3.3.

•	 Regional bycatch estimates. Provides bycatch estimates 

and measures of uncertainty for fish, marine mammals, 

sea turtles, and seabirds, by fishery. Estimates were developed using 2005 data where available. For some rareevent species, multiple years of data were necessary to 

develop bycatch estimates. 

•	 Bycatch estimate improvement plans for fisheries of focus. Presents recommendations for improving the quality of bycatch data collection and bycatch estimation for 

regional fisheries of focus, according to the process outlined in Section 3.

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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NORTHEAST REGION

4.1 Northeast Region

The Northeast Region extends from Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Geographically, the region is divided 

into three main oceanic areas: the Gulf of Maine, Georges 

Bank, and the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Bight. 

These three areas comprise the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem,1 and contain some of 

the oldest fisheries in the Nation. The New England and 

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction 

with NMFS, are responsible for managing fisheries in the 

Northeast Region. These fisheries are diverse with respect 

to both the species targeted and the gear types employed. 

4.1.1 Fisheries Overview

A total of 63 commercial fisheries are included in this report for the Northeast Region (Table 4.1.1), of which 37 are 

subject to a Council FMP. Landings from these fisheries 

were valued at approximately $1.4 billion dollars in 2005.2

For the purposes of this report, the Northeast Region Protected Resources Division elected to group certain fisheries 

by gear type, in accordance with current protected species 

stock assessment and bycatch estimation practices; these 

groups and the individual fisheries comprising them are 

listed in Table 4.1.1. Fish bycatch was estimated at the individual fishery level, while protected species bycatch was 

estimated, in most cases, at the grouped fishery level.

Over half (51%) of the fisheries in the Northeast Region 

are managed at the Federal level (Figure 4.1.1). Federal 

management authority overlaps with state management 

authority in five fisheries (four pot/trap fisheries and the 

Mid-Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery, which has no Federal 

FMP) and with international management authorities in six 

fisheries, primarily Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries targeting tuna.

Atlantic U.S. fisheries for tuna, swordfish, and billfish are 

managed by NMFS under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) and the MSA. The ATCA authorizes the promulgation of regulations, as necessary and 

appropriate, to implement conservation and management 

recommendations adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The 

U.S. reports catch statistics on HMS species managed under the ATCA to ICCAT each year. The NMFS Office of Sustainable Fisheries, HMS Management Division, manages 

Atlantic HMS including tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish. 

All Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under a Secretarial 

FMP (the Consolidated HMS FMP), and Northeast Region 

staff coordinate with staff from the HMS Management Divi1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/.

2 Ex-vessel landings value. Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2006. Available 

online at: www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/fisheries_economics_2006.

html.

sion in the NMFS Offices of Sustainable Fisheries and Science and Technology and the Southeast Fisheries Science 

Center to manage these stocks. 

Thirteen additional FMPs regulate the harvest of Federal 

stocks in the Northeast Region. Two fishery management 

councils, the New England Fishery Management Council 

(NEFMC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), develop fisheries regulations for their respective FMPs. The NEFMC manages the Atlantic Herring; Atlantic Sea Scallop; Deep Sea Red Crab; Northeast Multispecies; Northeastern Skate Complex; and Atlantic Salmon 

FMPs. The Bluefish; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish; Summer Flounder; Scup and Black Sea Bass; Surfclam and Ocean Quahog; and Tilefish FMPs are managed 

by the MAFMC. The Spiny Dogfish FMP and Monkfish FMP 

are joint NEFMC/MAFMC FMPs; the MAFMC is the administrative lead for the Dogfish FMP, while the NEFMC is the 

administrative lead for the Monkfish FMP (Table 4.1.1). 

Twelve coastal states are represented within the Northeast 

Region: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode 

Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 

Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Management of several fisheries crosses state/Federal boundaries. 

In these cases, the NMFS and the Councils work with the 

individual states and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 

Commission (ASMFC), a deliberative body representing the 

15 Atlantic coastal states, to coordinate the management of 

trans-boundary species. The NMFS Northeast Region also 

shares management authority for Federal fisheries with the 

states and regional fisheries management organizations in 

other contexts, such as FMP development and monitoring.

Sorting the catch.

Photo: Lee Benaka, NMFS

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic ExtraLarge-Mesh Gillnet d Federal

Monkfish; 

Northeastern Skate 

Complex

Gillnet

Monkfish, skates, 

striped bass, other 

finfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial 

landings database, 

North Carolina state 

landings

Mid-Atlantic LargeMesh Gillnet d Federal Monkfish; Spiny 

Dogfish; Bluefish Gillnet

Bluefish, monkfish, 

smooth dogfish, 

spiny dogfish, 

striped bass, other 

finfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial 

landings database, 

North Carolina state 

landings

Mid-Atlantic SmallMesh Gillnet d Federal Bluefish Gillnet

Atlantic croaker, 

bluefish, Atlantic 

menhaden, other 

finfish

Observer data, DAS 

database,Vessel 

Trip Report, 

commercial 

landings database, 

North Carolina state 

landings

New England Gillnet Fisheries

New England 

Extra-Large-Mesh 

Gillnet d

Federal

Monkfish; 

Northeastern Skate 

Complex; Northeast 

Multispecies; Spiny 

Dogfish

Gillnet

Monkfish, 

groundfish, skates, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

New England 

Large-Mesh Gillnet d Federal

Monkfish; Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Northeastern Skate 

Complex; Spiny 

Dogfish

Gillnet

Groundfish, 

monkfish, skates, 

spiny dogfish, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

New England 

Small-Mesh Gillnet d Federal Northeast 

Multispecies Gillnet Various finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Table 4.1.1

Northeast Region fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Names of eight fishery groups appear in bold, 

each followed by the names of the individual fisheries it includes. Within each group, fisheries are listed alphabetically by 

fishery group name, then by management authority, and then by individual fishery name. Non-grouped fisheries are listed 

by management authority and then fishery name. Rows containing fisheries for which bycatch estimates are included in 

this report are shaded; a shaded group fishery name indicates at least one protected species bycatch estimate, and a 

shaded individual fishery name indicates at least one MSA fish stock or protected species bycatch estimate.

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79

NORTHEAST REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

New England Bottom Longline Fisheries

New England 

Bottom Longline Federal

Spiny Dogfish; 

Northeast 

Multispecies

Longlines (bottom)

Spiny dogfish, 

groundfish, 

monkfish, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

New England 

Haddock Sector 

Longline

Federal Northeast 

Multispecies Longlines (bottom) Haddock

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

Mid-Atlantic Otter Trawl Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic LargeMesh Otter Trawl d Federal

Summer Flounder, 

Scup and Black 

Sea Bass; 

Monkfish; Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Northeast Skate

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Summer flounder, 

winter flounder, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

Mid-Atlantic SmallMesh Otter Trawl d Federal

Atlantic Mackerel, 

Squid, and 

Butterfish; 

Northeast 

Multispecies; Spiny 

Dogfish; Summer 

Flounder, Scup, 

and Black Sea 

Bass

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Short-finned squid, 

long-finned squid, 

silver hake, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

New England Otter Trawl Fisheries

New England 

B-Reg DAS e

Large-Mesh Otter 

Trawl d

Federal

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Northeast Skate; 

Spiny Dogfish

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Spiny dogfish, 

groundfish, skates, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England 

Large-Mesh Otter 

Trawl d

Federal

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Northeast Skate; 

Monkfish

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Monkfish, 

groundfish, skates, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England 

Small-Mesh Otter 

Trawl d

Federal

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Summer Flounder, 

Scup, and Black 

Sea Bass; Atlantic 

Mackerel, Squid, 

and Butterfish 

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Short-finned squid, 

long-finned squid, 

silver hake, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

(DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England US/

CAN Area LargeMesh Otter Trawl d

Federal

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Northeast Skate; 

Monkfish

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Monkfish, Atlantic 

cod, skates, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

Table 4.1.1 (continued)

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

New England Otter Trawl Fisheries (cont.)

New England US/

CAN Area SmallMesh Otter Trawl d

Federal

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Atlantic Mackerel, 

Squid, and 

Butterfish

Otter trawl (bottom, 

fish)

Short-finned squid, 

long-finned squid, 

silver hake, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Dredge Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic 

General Cat. 

Closed Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

Mid-Atlantic 

General Cat. Open 

Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

Mid-Atlantic 

Limited-Access 

Closed Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

Mid-Atlantic 

Limited-Access 

Open Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England Scallop Dredge Fisheries

New England 

General Cat. 

Closed Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England 

General Cat. Open 

Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England 

Limited-Access 

Closed Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

New England 

Limited-Access 

Open Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Monkfish

Dredge (New 

Bedford)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

monkfish 

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report 

Table 4.1.1 (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Trawl Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic 

General Cat. 

Scallop Trawl

Federal

Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Summer 

Flounder, Scup, 

and Black Sea 

Bass

Otter trawl (bottom, 

scallop)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

summer flounder

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

Mid-Atlantic 

Limited-Access 

Scallop Trawl

Federal

Atlantic Sea 

Scallop; Summer 

Flounder, Scup, 

and Black Sea 

Bass

Otter Trawl (bottom, 

scallop)

Atlantic sea scallop, 

summer flounder

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

Non-Grouped Fisheries 

Mid-Atlantic 

Bottom Longline Federal Tilefish; Northeast 

Multispecies Longlines (bottom) Tilefish, Atlantic 

cod, other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial 

landings database

Mid-Atlantic Clam/

Quahog Dredge Federal Surfclam and 

Ocean Quahog Dredge (clam) Atlantic surfclam, 

ocean quahog

Clam Vessel Trip 

Report, commercial 

dealer landings 

database

Mid-Atlantic MidWater Otter Trawl Federal

Atlantic Herring; 

Atlantic Mackerel, 

Squid, and 

Butterfish

Otter trawl 

(midwater)

Atlantic herring, 

Atlantic mackerel, 

blueback herring, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

New England Clam/

Quahog Dredge Federal Surfclam and 

Ocean Quahog Dredge (clam) Atlantic surfclam, 

ocean quahog

Clam Vessel Trip 

Report, commercial 

dealer landings 

database

New England 

Crab Pots Federal Deep Sea Red 

Crab Pots and traps Deep sea red crab, 

Jonah crab

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

New England MidWater Otter Trawl Federal

Atlantic Herring; 

Atlantic Mackerel, 

Squid, and 

Butterfish

Otter trawl 

(midwater)

Atlantic herring, 

Atlantic mackerel, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

New England 

Scottish Seine Federal Northeast 

Multispecies Scottish seine

Silver hake, 

Atlantic cod, winter 

flounder, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Table 4.1.1 (continued)

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Gulf of Maine 

Mid-Atlantic Tuna, 

Shark, Swordfish 

Hook-and-Line

Federal, 

international

Consolidated Highly 

Migratory Species Hook and line Bluefin tuna, 

swordfish

Gulf of Maine, 

Mid-Atlantic Tuna, 

Shark, Swordfish 

Harpoon

Federal, 

international

Consolidated Highly 

Migratory Species Harpoons Bluefin tuna, 

swordfish

Mid-Atlantic 

Hand Line

Federal, 

international

Summer Flounder, 

Scup, and Black 

Sea Bass; 

Bluefish; Atlantic 

Mackerel, Squid, 

and Butterfish; 

Consolidated Highly 

Migratory Species

Hand line

Scup, bluefish, 

black sea bass, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Mid-Atlantic 

Purse Seine

Federal, 

international Purse seine Atlantic menhaden, 

other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

New England 

Hand Line

Federal, 

international

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Summer Flounder, 

Scup, and Black 

Sea Bass; Bluefish; 

Consolidated Highly 

Migratory Species

Hand line

Atlantic cod, scup, 

bluefin tuna, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

New England 

Purse Seine

Federal, 

international

Atlantic Herring; 

Northeast 

Multispecies; 

Consolidated Highly 

Migratory Species

Purse seine

Atlantic menhaden, 

Atlantic herring, 

bluefin tuna, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

Mid-Atlantic Fish 

Pots and Traps Federal, state 

Summer Flounder, 

Scup, and Black 

Sea Bass

Pots and traps 

(fish)

Black sea bass, 

tautog other finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Mid-Atlantic 

Lobster Pots Federal, state

Summer Flounder, 

Scup, and Black 

Sea Bass

Pots and traps 

(lobster)

American lobster, 

Jonah crab, black 

sea bass

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Mid-Atlantic 

Shrimp Trawl Federal, state Otter trawl (bottom, 

shrimp)

Ocean shrimp, 

summer flounder, 

Atlantic sea scallop

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Table 4.1.1 (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

New England Fish 

Pots and Traps Federal, state 

Summer Flounder, 

Scup, and Black 

Sea Bass

Pots and traps 

(fish)

Hagfish, black sea 

bass, scup, other 

finfish

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial 

landings database

New England 

Lobster Pots Federal, state Pots and traps 

(lobster)

American lobster, 

Jonah crab, rock 

crab

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Atlantic Blue Crab 

Trap/Pot State Pots and traps 

(blue crab) Blue crab Observer data, 

published papers

Chesapeake Bay 

Inshore Gillnet State Gillnet Various finfish

Observer data, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Delaware River 

Inshore Gillnet State Gillnet Various finfish

Observer data, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Gulf of Maine 

Herring and Atlantic 

Mackerel Stop 

Seine

State Stop seine Atlantic herring, 

Atlantic mackerel

Gulf of Maine 

Herring and Atlantic 

Mackerel Weir

State Weirs Atlantic herring, 

Atlantic mackerel

Gulf of Maine 

Mussel State Dredge Blue mussel

Gulf of Maine 

Urchin Dive, 

Hand/Mechanical 

Collection

State Hand, diving gear Urchin

Long Island Sound 

Inshore Gillnet State Gillnet Various finfish

Observer data, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

Mid-Atlantic 

Crab Pots State Pots and traps Blue crab, deep sea 

red crab

Commercial dealer 

Landings database

Mid-Atlantic 

Crab Stop Seine State Stop seine Blue crab

Mid-Atlantic 

Crab Weir State Weirs Blue crab

Mid-Atlantic 

Eel Trap/Pot State Pots and traps (eel) American eel

Mid-Atlantic 

Hand Seine State Other seines Various finfish

Mid-Atlantic Haul/

Beach Seine State Haul seines Various finfish Observer data

Table 4.1.1 (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management 

Plan b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name)

Bycatch Data 

Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Mid-Atlantic Oyster State Dredge Eastern oyster

New England 

Shrimp Trawlf State Otter trawl 

(bottom, shrimp) Northern shrimp

Observer data, 

DAS database, 

Vessel Trip Report

Northeast Atlantic 

Finfish Aquaculture State Aquaculture

Northeast 

Atlantic Shellfish 

Aquaculture

State Aquaculture

RI, S. MA (to 

Monomoy Is.), and 

NY Bight (Raritan 

and Lower NY 

Bays) Inshore 

Gillnet

State Gillnet Various finfish Commercial dealer 

landings database

Virginia Pound Net State Pound nets Various finfish

Observer data, 

commercial dealer 

landings database

a Aquaculture fisheries are listed for consistency with the MMPA List of Fisheries, but were not analyzed for the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Recreational 

fisheries are not included in this report. 

b FMPs with the same name are differentiated by managing council. Note that non-Federal FMPs were not identified through this process.

c Bycatch data sources include data used for bycatch estimation and/or for tier scoring of fisheries (see Table 4.1.3). Stranding/entanglement, environmental, 

and satellite data sources were also used for marine mammal and sea turtle bycatch estimates and/or for tier scoring of fisheries, but were not identified in this 

table. For fisheries with bycatch estimates, observer data were used to estimate bycatch rates, and vessel trip report and/or commercial data were used to 

expand bycatch rates to total discards. For fisheries without bycatch estimates, observer coverage was conducted on one or more occasions, but not annually, 

from 1995 to present. DAS = days-at-sea.

d For otter trawls, two mesh-size groups are used: small (mesh less than 5.5 inches) and large (5.5-inch mesh and greater). For gillnets, three mesh-size groups 

were used: small (less than 5.5 inches), large (5.5–7.99 inches), and extra-large (8.0 inches and above). 

e B-Reg days (B-Regular days at sea, a management measure in place when this report was compiled in 2005) were used to target the six groundfish stocks that 

could sustain additional effort, in ways that did not undermine longer-term rebuilding efforts for other stocks in the fishery. 

f Commonly known as Northern Shrimp Trawl. 

Figure 4.1.1 

Management jurisdiction for Northeast Region fisheries (based on 

numbers of fisheries rather than volume or revenues). “Shared” 

indicates that international, federal, state, and/or tribal authorities 

share management jurisdiction.

Federal

51% (32)

State

32% (20)

Shared

17% (11)

Table 4.1.1 (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

4.1.2. Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns

Together with the Councils and international management 

authorities, the NMFS Northeast Region has implemented 

many regulations to monitor and reduce fisheries bycatch. 

Fish

FMP Measures3

In addition to the various fishing gear requirements described below, there are several other management measures intended to reduce bycatch.3 Examples include time 

and area closures, such as Mid-Atlantic Gear Restricted 

Areas, intended to reduce the bycatch of scup in the squid 

fishery; and allowances for limited transfers of fish at sea, 

such as the scup transfer-at-sea provision. There are prohibitions on discarding certain species, e.g., under groundfish Special Access Programs (SAPs) established under 

the Northeast Multispecies FMP. More stringent reporting 

requirements were developed, such as the requirement in 

groundfish SAPs to report all catch on a daily basis via vessel monitoring systems. Additionally, incidental catch quotas were established that count discards against quotas, 

which are used in various programs established under the 

Northeast Multispecies FMP. 

Bycatch Reduction

Collaborative efforts to reduce bycatch in the Northeast Region include the development of bycatch-reduction devices 

(BRDs). One recent example is the Ruhle trawl.4 The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and the Northeast Cooperative Research Partners Program (NCRPP) 

provided funds, field staff, and post-cruise data processing support to University of Rhode Island (URI) Sea Grant 

scientists, Rhode Island commercial fishermen, and a net 

manufacturer, for a collaborative effort to develop and test 

a new net design to reduce bycatch in the directed haddock 

bottom trawl fishery on Georges Bank. The new design has 

a selective trawl system that harvests rebuilt stocks while 

avoiding stocks of concern, reducing economic hardship for 

coastal fishing communities and also reducing bycatch. 

Project design, field work, data analysis, and peer review 

for the Ruhle trawl occurred during 2005 and 2006. The 

device was evaluated during more than 100 side-by-side 

comparison tows completed during four seasonal sampling 

periods. While the catch of the target species, Georges 

Bank haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), was not sig3 While the text presented herein reflects the measures that were in effect 

in 2005, recent changes in the management of the Northeast Multispecies fishery, including the more systematic integration of selective gear into 

fishing operations and the transition to a catch-based management regime 

in which both landings and discards control fishing operations, have substantially affected the way bycatch is addressed in this FMP; this should be 

noted in any discussion of bycatch issues. 

4 http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/2008/News/NR0824/

nificantly different between the control and test nets, the 

bycatch of stocks of concern, notably Atlantic cod (Gadus 

morhua) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), was 

significantly reduced. The bycatch ratio of haddock to cod 

was improved from 3:1 in the control net to 20:1 in the test 

trawl, and the ratio of haddock to yellowtail flounder was 

improved from 13:1 in the control to 151:1 in the test trawl. 

The modified trawl virtually eliminated the bycatch of skates 

(a 98% reduction). As a result, this device was awarded first 

prize in the World Wildlife Fund Smart Gear Competition 

in 2007.5 A presentation describing the net and results at 

the 2007 International Haddock Workshop at the University 

of New Hampshire, partially funded by NCRPP, resulted in 

collaboration and net orders from England. Field tests were 

conducted in the North Sea during December 2007. As a 

follow-up to the original study, the NCRPP awarded additional funding to URI in 2007 to scale down the net size for 

use aboard smaller trawlers operating in the Gulf of Maine 

(testing was initiated in 2008). Federal regulations allowing 

this device can be found at 50 CFR 648.85.

Additional fish BRDs developed or currently used in the 

Northeast Region include increased mesh size of scallop 

dredge twine top, the use of the Nordmore grate in the 

northern shrimp trawl fishery to reduce bycatch of finfish, 

and the raised-footrope trawl/Maine grate raised-footrope 

trawl to reduce bycatch of regulated groundfish. More information on these and other BRDs can be found on the 

NEFSC website.6

Protected Species

The MMPA requires NMFS to develop and implement Take 

Reduction Plans (TRPs) to assist in the recovery or prevent 

the depletion of strategic marine mammal stocks that are 

seriously injured or killed incidental to commercial fisheries. 

In the Northeast Region, TRPs have been implemented for 

the following stocks:

•	 Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)—Gulf of Maine/

Bay of Fundy stock7

•	 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)—Western North 

Atlantic coastal stock8

•	 Large whales, including North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), 

and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)—

Western Atlantic, Western North Atlantic, and Gulf of 

Maine stocks, respectively9

Additionally, a take-reduction team (TRT) for Northeast 

and Mid-Atlantic bottom and mid-water trawl fisheries in5 http://assets.panda.org/downloads/eliminator_november_2007_final.pdf

6 http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/

7 http://www.nero.noaa.gov/prot_res/porptrp/

8 http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/trt/bdtrp.htm

9 http://www.nero.noaa.gov/whaletrp/

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

teracting with long- and/or short-finned pilot whales (Globicephela spp.), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and 

white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) was convened in 2006.10

Many FMPs have measures in place to control fishing effort, limit fishing in certain areas or times of year, and establish total allowable catch limits. In addition to affecting 

catch of fish stocks, these measures may shift fishing effort 

and change fishing practices in ways that may also influence the bycatch of marine mammals and/or sea turtles.11

Measures to reduce turtle bycatch have also been implemented within FMPs. For example, turtle excluder devices 

(TEDs) are required for the summer flounder fishery (see 

57 FR 57358, 4 December 1992). Regulations specifying 

time/area closures and mandatory gear requirements further reduce bycatch of sea turtles (see 80 FR 24776, 26 

April 2006).12

In addition, BRDs have been developed specifically for protected species. An example is the development of a modified pound net design to reduce bycatch of sea turtles in 

offshore pound nets. In 2004, NMFS prohibited the use of 

offshore pound net leaders (an important component of the 

pound net gear) in a portion of the Chesapeake Bay because of incidental takes of sea turtles in this component of 

the gear. In 2004 and 2005, a coordinated research study 

directed by the NEFSC with pound net industry participants 

and other interested parties was initiated to develop and 

test a modified pound net leader design, with the goal of 

eliminating or reducing sea turtle interactions while retaining an acceptable level of fish catch (DeAlteris and Silva 

2008). A series of gear experiments led NMFS to publish 

regulations in 2006 permitting pound net fishermen to fish 

in previously closed areas of the Chesapeake Bay if they 

utilized the modified leader design. These measures should 

reduce incidental take of sea turtles in the Virginia pound 

net fishery, while enabling the fishery to continue.

Chain mats were also developed to reduce sea turtle bycatch in the Atlantic sea scallop dredge fishery. The NEFSC 

has been working collaboratively with the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, scallop industry, and other interested 

parties to reduce the severity of some sea turtle interactions with scallop dredge gear by preventing capture of the 

turtle in the dredge bag (DuPaul et al. 2004). Chain mats 

are not expected to reduce the total number of interactions 

(physical contact between the turtle and the dredge gear); 

however, they are expected to prevent injury and mortality 

from capture in the dredge bag. On 25 August 2006, NMFS 

issued a final rule requiring sea scallop dredge vessels fishing south of 41°9.0′N from 1 May to 30 November each year 

to have dredges equipped with chain mats (NMFS 2006b).

10 http://www.nero.noaa.gov/prot_res/atgtrp/ 11 http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/fishermen/

12 http://www.nero.noaa.gov/prot%5Fres/seaturtles/regs.html

Another BRD developed in the Northeast is the “weak link” 

for gillnet and trap/pot gear. Whale interactions with commercial fixed fishing gear may occur while the whale is 

feeding or transiting through an area. Breakaway links or 

weak links are breakable sections or devices that part when 

subjected to certain loads. After parting, the rope will have 

a knotless end to prevent lodging in the whale’s baleen. 

Weak links with specific breaking strengths are required on 

fixed fishing gear to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled, injured, or killed. Weak links placed at the surface 

system of buoy lines (endlines attached to the buoy and/or 

rope attaching the buoy to the highflyer) are designed for 

entanglements that involve the mouth. The NMFS is also 

working with the Atlantic Large Whale TRT and researchers on the development of other devices or techniques to 

help reduce or eliminate the risk associated with buoy line 

entanglements. Note that sea turtles may also become entangled in fixed gear of trap/pots, but that weak links do not 

reduce interactions between turtles and vertical lines. 

Acoustic deterrents (pingers) were shown to reduce harbor 

porpoise bycatch by 92% in a controlled scientific experiment conducted in gillnets off of New Hampshire (Kraus 

et al. 1997). Based on the success of this experiment, a 

TRP to reduce harbor porpoise bycatch was developed that 

required Northeast gillnets to use pingers during specified 

times and places when there were high densities of harbor porpoises (NOAA 1998). Following the general trend 

seen during the scientific experiment, the harbor porpoise 

bycatch in the normal operational gillnet fishery decreased 

from above 1500 harbor porpoises per year before 1996 to 

below 500 harbor porpoises per year during 1999 to 2001. 

This decrease in bycatch was attributed mainly to the use 

of the pingers. However, after a while the level of compliance with the TRP decreased, which corresponded with 

an increase in the level of bycatch. During 2006–07, outreach activities increased to remind fishers about the TRP 

requirements, compliance increased, and bycatch started 

decreasing. In the times and areas that pingers were required, the bycatch rate in gillnet hauls without pingers was 

much higher than that in hauls that used the required number of pingers. The conclusion from the experiences during 

the controlled scientific experiment and during the normal 

operational fishery is that pingers appear to reduce the 

bycatch of harbor porpoises in gillnets, particularly when 

the required number of pingers are used and in nets using 

mesh sizes of 6 in or less (Palka et al. 2008).

Examples of other activities in the Northeast Region to reduce bycatch of protected species include requiring sinking groundlines for whale bycatch reduction, and research 

on acoustic-reflective nets for harbor porpoise and coastal 

bottlenose dolphin bycatch reduction.

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4.1.3 Data Sources

Data from commercial fishing trips have been collected in 

northeast ports for more than 100 years. Table 4.1.1 lists 

data sources used to estimate bycatch for federally managed Northeast Region fisheries and those northeast state 

fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection programs. In 

addition to observer programs, the Northeast Region collects fishing VTRs from federally permitted vessels operating under the region’s FMPs.

4.1.3.1 Observer Program Data

In the 1970s and 1980s, foreign vessels fishing in the U.S. 

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) paid for the costs of fishery 

observer coverage on their vessels. While the foreign fleets 

decreased their fishing time in these waters, the number of 

U.S. vessels increased and the observer program expanded. Throughout the 1990s, most of the observer program’s 

sea days were used to monitor fixed-gear commercial fisheries for takes of protected species. Today, the Northeast 

Fishery Observer Program (NEFOP) collects, processes, 

and manages data and biological samples from vessels 

with Federal or state commercial fishing permits operating 

within Federal and state waters of the U.S. EEZ from Maine 

to North Carolina.

Fisheries observers are required under all Northeast Region FMPs and for some fisheries by other Federal laws 

and authorities such as the MMPA and the ESA. The NEFOP observers record weights of kept and discarded (actual or estimated) fish and crustacean species on observed 

hauls, as well as biological sampling information (tags, 

lengths, age, and sex) for all species caught, including bycatch of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. Data 

on vessel and gear characteristics and fishing practices are 

also collected. All data are collected for scientific and fisheries management purposes. As in many observer programs, 

bias may arise if vessels with observers consistently catch 

more or less than other vessels, or fish in different areas, 

or if average trip duration changes. The NEFOP has developed vessel selection protocols, including random selection 

procedures, to ensure representative sampling. Analyses to 

evaluate bias in the NEFOP have indicated no systematic 

bias in amount of kept pounds, trip duration, or area fished 

(Rago et al. 2005; Wigley et al. 2007). 

In 2005, the NEFOP observed over 8,900 days of commercial fishing. The region has observer programs at developing or mature levels for several fisheries, including the 

Atlantic sea scallop dredge, Mid-Atlantic bottom longline, 

Mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries, New England large-mesh 

trawl, New England sink gillnet, and New England/Mid-Atlantic small-mesh trawl. Other regional fisheries (e.g., MidAtlantic general category scallop trawl, New England and 

Mid-Atlantic purse seine, New England handline, and New 

England shrimp trawl) are observed at baseline/pilot levels 

of coverage. Northeast Region observer programs and observed fisheries are listed in Table 4.1.2. 

4.1.3.2 Mandatory Self-Reported Data

A mandatory reporting system for landings and sales of 

all species was implemented by the Northeast Region in 

1994. Required for all federally permitted fisheries in the 

Northeast, the mandatory reporting system has two components, dealer reporting and VTRs. Dealer reports contain 

total landings by market category, but do not contain information on trip effort, area fished, gear type, or mesh sizes. 

The VTRs contain information for each trip taken including catch, effort, gear characteristics, and spatial data variables. The VTR requirements apply to all trips made by vessels holding a Northeast Region Federal fishing permit for 

either Federal or state waters, regardless of species fished 

for or retained. Even if no fish are landed on a trip, the vessel owners/operators must still complete the report. 

These data provide a near-census of commercial landings. Comparisons between dealer reports and VTR data 

have indicated general agreement between the sources, 

suggesting that misreporting of landings does not occur 

at sizeable levels (Rago et al. 2005; Wigley et al. 2008). 

Some extrapolation factors used to estimate total discards 

and the weighting factors for discard-to-kept ratios may be 

underestimated slightly and are being addressed through 

further work to identify the source of the disparities (Wigley 

et al. 2007). 

In addition, data provided in entanglement reports submitted to the NMFS Northeast Regional Office and Southeast 

Regional Office by members of the National Stranding Network, large whale disentanglement teams, the U.S. Coast 

Guard, and civilian sources are used to estimate a minimum number of entanglements and ship strikes of large 

whales, though most entanglements cannot be assigned to 

a specific fishery (Glass et al. 2008).

A squid (Illex illecebrosus) cruising over a sandy area 

of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

Photo: William Millhouser, NOS.

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Observer Program

National Bycatch 

Report Fisheries

Authority to 

Place Observers

Program 

Duration Coverage Level 

Atlantic Sea Scallop 

Dredge Fishery

Mid-Atlantic General 

Cat. Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge 

MSA (50 CFR 648) 1999–present

2005: <3%

2006: 8–10%

2007: 8–10%

2008: 10%

Mid-Atlantic General 

Cat. Open Area Scallop 

Dredge 

Mid-Atlantic LimitedAccess Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

Mid-Atlantic LimitedAccess Open Area 

Scallop Dredge 

New England General 

Cat. Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

New England General 

Cat. Open Area Scallop 

Dredge

New England LimitedAccess Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

New England Limitedaccess Open Area 

Scallop Dredge

Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic Extra-LargeMesh Gillnet

MSA (50 CFR 648); 

MMPA Cat. I (50 CFR 

229)

1994–present

2005: 3%

2006: <2%

2007: <1%

2008: <3%

Mid-Atlantic Large-Mesh 

Gillnet

Mid-Atlantic Small-Mesh 

Gillnet

Mid-Atlantic Haul/Beach 

Seine

Mid-Atlantic Illex 

Squid Trawl

Mid-Atlantic Small-Mesh 

Otter Trawl a

MSA (50 CFR 648); 

MMPA Cat. II (50 CFR 

229)

2004–present

2005: <1%

2006: <1%

2007: <1%

2008: <3%

Table 4.1.2 

Current Northeast Region Federal observer programs, fisheries observed, and 

coverage levels. Programs and observed fisheries are listed alphabetically. 

Observer programs that ended over 10 years ago are not listed. 

bH-4.1.indd 88 2/5/12 
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NORTHEAST REGION

Observer Program

National Bycatch 

Report Fisheries

Authority to 

Place Observers

Program 

Duration Coverage Level 

New England 

Groundfish Trawl and 

Sink Gillnet Fisheries 

(also bottom longline/

tub, herring mid-water 

pair trawl, New England 

handline, shrimp trawl, 

and whiting trawl)

Mid-Atlantic Bottom 

Longline 

MSA (50 CFR 648); 

MMPA Cat. I, II and III 

(50 CFR 229)

1990–present

2005: 5% A-days; 50% B-days

2006: 2–10%

2007: 5%

2008: 8-10%

Mid-Atlantic Mid-Water 

Trawl

Mid-Atlantic Purse Seine

Mid-Atlantic Shrimp 

Trawl

New England Bottom 

Longline

New England ExtraLarge-Mesh Gillnet

New England Haddock 

Sector Longline

New England Handline

New England LargeMesh Gillnet

New England Mid-Water 

Trawl

New England Purse 

Seine

New England Shrimp 

Trawl

New England SmallMesh Gillnet

New England and MidAtlantic Large-Mesh 

Trawl Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic General 

Cat. Scallop Trawl

MSA (50 CFR 648); 

MMPA Cat. II (50 CFR 

229.7)

1998–present

2005: 1%

2006: 5–30%

2007: 2%

2008: <3%

Mid-Atlantic Large-Mesh 

Otter Trawl

New England B-Reg 

DAS b Large-Mesh Otter 

Trawl

New England LargeMesh Otter Trawl

New England US/CAN 

Area Large-Mesh Otter 

Trawl

New England and MidAtlantic Small- Mesh 

Trawl Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic Small-Mesh 

Otter Trawl a

MMPA Cat. II (50 CFR 

229.7); MSFCMA (50 

CFR 648)

1994–present

2005: 1%

2006: 1%

2007: <1%

2008: <3%

New England SmallMesh Otter Trawl

New England US/CAN 

Area Small-Mesh Otter 

Trawl

MSA = Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act; CFR = Code of Federal Regulations 

a The Mid-Atlantic small-mesh otter trawl fishery is listed twice in this table. It is observed under two different programs, depending on target species. b DAS = days-at-sea

Table 4.1.2 (continued)

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Total annual discards were estimated using a combined d/k 

ratio estimator (Cochran 1963) where d = discard pounds 

of a given species and k = kept pounds of all species (as 

a measure of fishing effort). Numbers for 2005 VTR landings were used to expand the discard rate to estimate total 

discard weight.

The combined ratio method was based on a ratio estimate 

pooled over all strata and trips within each fleet. Total discards (in pounds) for species j were defined as:

(1) 

where is the total discarded pounds of species j; 

h is the stratum;

Q is the number of strata;

Kh is the VTR total kept pounds in stratum h; and

r

c, j is the combined ratio of species j, calculated as:

(2) 

where Nh is the number of VTR trips in stratum h;

nh is the number of observed trips in stratum h; 

djih is the total discards (in pounds) of species j from trip i

 in stratum h; and

kih is the kept pounds of all species on trip i in stratum h.

4.1.4 Bycatch Estimation Methods

Northeast Region bycatch estimation methods for fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles are presented in this section. 

Bycatch estimation methods for seabirds are being developed for inclusion in a future edition of the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report. 

4.1.4.1 Fish Bycatch Estimation Methods for 

Federally Managed Commercial Fisheries 

In this analysis, the 2005 NEFOP data were used to calculate discard ratios, with 2005 logbook data used to expand 

the NEFOP discard ratios to total discards (Wigley et al. 

2008). The sampling unit was an individual fishing trip. Trips 

were partitioned into fleet sectors using six classification 

variables: calendar quarter, area fished, gear type, mesh 

size, access area, and trip category. Calendar quarter was 

based on landed date and used to capture seasonal variation in fishing activity and discard rates. Areas fished were 

based on the statistical reporting area; trips where area was 

unknown were excluded. Two areas were defined: New 

England (NE), comprising statistical areas 511–543, 561, 

and 562 (which includes southern New England, Georges 

Bank, and the Gulf of Maine); and Mid-Atlantic (MA), comprising statistical areas 611–639 (Figure 4.1.2).

The gear type variable was based on Northeast gear codes. 

Some gear codes were combined, and trips for which gear 

type was unknown were excluded. Mesh-size groups were 

formed for otter trawl and gillnet gear. Five access area 

categories were formed: “closed area,” “US/CAN,” “Bday,” “HOOK,” and “open area” (Wigley et al. 2008). Trip 

categories were employed to subdivide the scallop fishery 

into general (Gen) and limited (Lim) trips; all other fisheries 

were categorized as “all.” 

Fishery codes, days-at-sea (DAS) codes, and access area 

codes were used to classify all VTR trips into one of five access area categories. Vessel permit number and date landed were used to link VTR trips with DAS trips. A detailed 

description of the method and the obstacles encountered 

in joining the VTR and DAS data is given in Wigley et al. 

(2008). 

When one or no observer trips occurred in a calendar quarter, an imputation approach (Cochran 1963) was employed 

to fill in missing or incomplete information, using data from 

an adjoining stratum. In this simple imputation of temporal 

stratification only, the classification of calendar quarter was 

relaxed to half-year, recognizing that seasonal variation occurs for some species. The imputation was used to fill quarterly cells for which there were one or no observed trips. 

When all quarterly cells were missing or observer coverage 

was low, and this existed across all quarters for a fleet, the 

fleet was omitted and no discard estimation performed. 

D j ˆ

==

== = h

h

n

i h

ih

Q

h

h

n

i h

ji h

Q

h

h

jc

n

k N

n

d

N

r

11

1 1

, 

Observer measuring a striped bass.

Photo: Nicole Gilles, NMFS

jc

Q

h

j h KD r ,

1

ˆ

=

=

bH-4.1.indd 90 2/5/12 
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NORTHEAST REGION

Figure 4.1.2

Northeast statistical areas (source: Northeast Fisheries Science Center). 

31

640

639

525 537

629

624

542

625

515

465

543

464

512

526

521

513

522

616

621

562

635

613

469

637 638

615

633 634

627

622 623

636

626

632

628

514

467

631

552 468

534 541

511

463

612

551

466

533

611

614

462

538

539

561

76°0'0"W 74°0'0"W 72°0'0"W 70°0'0"W 68°0'0"W 66°0'0"W

44°0'0"N

42°0'0"N

40°0'0"N

38°0'0"N

36°0'0"N

Figure 1. Statistical areas used for commercial fisheries data collection by the National Marine 

Fisheries Service in the Northeast Region. The 50, 100 and 500 fa bathymetric lines are shown 

in light gray and the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone is indicated by the dashed black line.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

In Equation 2 the summation over strata h = 1 to Q occurs over calendar quarters. Equation 3 (below) requires 

a more explicit definition of the stratum designation, since 

the summation over quarter relies on the annual combined 

ratio defined in Equation 2. Variance V of for species j 

was defined as:

(3) 

where is the total discards (in pounds) of species j;

Kqh is the VTR total kept pounds in quarter q and stratum h; 

Nqh is the number of VTR trips in quarter q and stratum h; 

nqh is the number of observed trips in quarter q and stratum h;

kiqh is the kept pounds of all species on trip i in quarter q

and stratum h;

djiqhis the total discards (in pounds) of species j from trip i

in quarter q and stratum h; and

r

c,j is the combined ratio of species j.

Coefficient of variation (CV) of was defined as:

(4) 

4.1.4.2 Caveats for Fish Bycatch Estimation

To evaluate a diverse range of species and fleets in the 

Northeast Region, the combined ratio method using the ratio of discard to kept weight was selected. The combined 

ratio method also accommodated the varying degrees of 

seasonal sparseness in the current observer program coverage. This design-based estimator used numbers kept of 

all species; kept of all species is more verifiable than data 

for effort (days absent or days fished) and better utilized the 

information associated with kept pounds. Total kept for all 

species in the ratio estimator was used as a surrogate for 

fishing effort. It was recognized that stratification alone may 

be insufficient to account for the heterogeneity of fleet behaviors or other specializations within a stratum. However, 

this was the best available method since other measures 

of fishing effort such as total days fished, crew size, and 

so forth are difficult to obtain for the entire fleet. Moreover, 

measures of fishing effort for fixed gears (e.g., gillnet soak 

time multiplied by net length multiplied by mesh size) were 

not collected for the fishery as a whole. The ratio estimator assumed a zero-intercept regression as an appropriate 

model of the relationship of discard to kept. Departures from 

linearity were recognized as a general limitation. 

A total of 3,565 observed trips13 were used in this analysis, 

with the majority of these occurring in the otter trawl, gillnet, and sea scallop dredge fleets (trips were partitioned 

when the trip characteristics fell into more than one fleet). 

Although observer coverage in 2005 was relatively high 

compared to previous years, some fleets had little or no 

observer coverage. For some fleets with limited temporal 

coverage by observers, imputation (Cochrane 1963) was 

used to derive discard estimates. However, using half-year 

estimates may not be appropriate for all species and, in 

some cases, quarterly discard ratios were based on very 

small sample sizes. This contributed to the lower precision 

(higher CV) associated with several of these estimates. Because discards were not estimated for all fisheries (due to 

data limitations), the total discard estimates presented in 

this report underestimate actual total discards in 2005.

As mentioned above, 2005 VTR landings (all species combined, live weight) by fleet and quarter were used to expand 

the discard ratios. Dealer data could not be used to expand 

the discard ratios because these data do not contain two 

key variables that define fisheries: mesh and area fished. 

As a surrogate for dealer data, VTR data were used. 

In summary, a very broad stratification was used to encompass all species examined in the Northeast Regional fish 

analysis. The discard estimates provided in this report will 

differ from discard estimates derived for and used in stock 

assessments. For stock assessments, the stratification, as 

13 Observed trips (the sampling unit of the analysis) are a subset of the entire 

observer program’s sampling activities and are not the same as number of 

days observed. Observed trips do not include trips where protected species sampling protocol were used, training trips, aborted trips, etc.

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bH-4.1.indd 92 2/5/12 
93

NORTHEAST REGION

well as the methods, is tailored to each species/stock to 

capture the appropriate seasonal, geographical, and gear/

mesh discarding patterns that are species/stock specific. 

Details of the discard estimation for this analysis, including validation of the estimation method and the underlying 

data, are described in Wigley et al. (2008).

4.1.4.3 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation Methods 

for Federally Managed Commercial Fisheries

For all bycaught marine mammal species and all fisheries, 

the total number of marine mammal takes, B, was defined 

as the product of the observed bycatch rate and total annual fishing effort: B = bycatch rate  total effort, where the 

bycatch rate was defined as the number of animals taken 

per unit of fishing effort. Fisheries with no recorded takes 

had estimates of zero.

Since 1990, estimates of marine mammal bycatch rates 

have been derived from data collected by the NEFOP. Bycatch rates have been calculated using ratio and modeling 

estimation methods (see Sections 4.1.4.3.1 and 4.1.4.3.2). 

Bycatch rates were expanded using the most appropriate 

measure of fishing effort for a particular fishery. An appropriate measure was defined as a measure that increased 

as the number of takes increased, and was available in the 

observed sample and for the entire fishery. 

Fishing effort information was obtained from four databases: the VTR database; Northeast Dealer Report Landings 

database (also sometimes referred to as the weighout database); North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries trip ticket 

landings database; and Virginia Marine Resource Commission landings database. For some fisheries, information 

from the VTR or observer databases was used to prorate 

landings from a particular fishery to fishery-and-bycaught 

species-specific strata.

Standard bootstrapping techniques were used to derive the 

confidence intervals and CV for the bycatch estimates. The 

resampling unit used was usually an entire trip rather than 

individual hauls, to ensure that any within-trip dependence 

was carried over into the bycatch estimate’s variance (Bisack 2003).

4.1.4.3.1 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation 

Methods for Federally Managed Gillnet 

Commercial Fisheries

Estimates of bycatch in the gillnet fishery were made for 

all species bycaught. For example, estimates for grey (Halichoerus grypus), harbor (Phoca vitulina concolor), and 

harp (Phoca groenlandica) seals and for harbor porpoise 

(Phocena phocena), white sided dolphin (Lagerorhynchus 

acutus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and coastal 

bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were calculated using the ratio estimator method for bycaught species-specific 

strata, where the unit of effort was metric tons (m ton) of 

kept landings. Landings were considered the most appropriate unit of effort for this fishery, because it is presently the 

only unit of effort that is accurately recorded and available 

for the entire fishery.

The North Atlantic right whale.

Photo credit: Peter Duley, NMFS.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

The total annual number of marine mammal takes, B, was 

defined as the product of the observed annual bycatch rate 

and total annual effort within each stratum, S: 

Strata were spatially and temporally specific, taking into account the seasonal and geographic distribution of the bycaught species and gillnet fishing practices. In all cases, 

separate estimates were calculated for the New England 

and mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries, as defined in the MMPA 

List of Fisheries for 2008 (NMFS 2007). Estimates for each 

calendar year were derived from only the corresponding 

year’s data for all species except coastal bottlenose dolphins, where observer data were pooled over years to estimate the bycatch rate (due to the small numbers of observed takes) and effort was year-specific.

A weighted bycatch rate was calculated for strata within 

the Northeast gillnet fishery that had hauls fishing with and 

without pingers, where the weight was the proportion of 

hauls sampled with or without pingers.

Previous bycatch estimates for harbor porpoises are reported in Bisack (1993), Smith et al. (1993), Bravington 

and Bisack (1996), Bisack (1997), Rossman and Merrick 

(1999), Bisack (2003), Belden et al. (2006), Belden (2007), 

and Belden and Orphanides (2007). Previous bycatch estimates for harbor seals, gray seals, harp seals, common 

dolphins, and white sided dolphins are reported in Belden 

et al. (2006), Belden (2007), and Belden and Orphanides 

(2007). Bycatch estimates for coastal bottlenose dolphins 

during 2001 to 2005 using the ratio method and generalized 

linear modeling (GLM) are reported in Waring et al. (2007), 

and estimates from 1995 to 2000 using GLM are reported 

in Palka and Rossman (2001).

Currently, for harbor porpoises and seals, GLMs and generalized additive models (GAM) are being explored to better 

define strata to be used with the ratio method or to be used 

directly to estimate bycatch rate. 

4.1.4.3.2 Marine Mammal Bycatch Estimation 

Methods for Federally Managed Trawl 

Commercial Fisheries

For both the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions, bycatch was estimated separately for bottom trawl and midwater (single and paired) trawl fisheries. In brief, observer 

data were used to develop bycatch rate models; VTR data 

were used as the primary source of fishing effort to expand 

the bycatch rate to a total bycatch estimate; and commercial dealer-reported landings data were used to expand the 

VTR data to the entire fishery (if needed).

The most appropriate unit of effort for trawl fisheries was 

determined to be “days fished,” that is, the number of days 

the net is in the water (not the amount of time the ship is 

away from port). Bycatch rate models for cetaceans (Atlantic white-sided dolphins, common dolphins, and long- and/

or short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala spp.)) were developed using GLMs, GAMs, classification trees, and zeroinflated GLM and GAMs, assuming a Poisson distribution. 

Many gear characteristics, fishing practices, spatial-temporal categories, and environmental factors were investigated 

to determine the best fitting bycatch rate model. Observer 

data collected from 2001 to 2005 were pooled to develop 

the bycatch rate model for the bottom trawl fisheries, and 

data from 2003 to 2006 were pooled to develop the bycatch rate model for the mid-water trawl fisheries. Poisson 

regression was used to model the bycatch rate (y/effort), 

where the number of takes (y) was a function of predictor 

variables:

 

where f

i was a smooth function when the model was a GAM 

model, and f

i was a coefficient value when the model was a 

GLM; xi was a predictor variable describing an environmental, gear, or fishing characteristic: and log(effort) was an offset variable with a coefficient set to 1.0 (Allison 1999).

For bottom trawl fisheries, the best-fitting quasi-Poisson 

GLM bycatch rate models were species-specific and included the following significant predictors: statistical area, 

target fish species, sea surface temperature, bottom depth, 

bottom slope, and vessel horse power (Rossman, 2009). 

For mid-water trawl fisheries, a quasi-Poisson GAM bycatch rate model indicated that the most significant predictors of marine mammal bycatch were the latitude where 

fishing occurred and depth of the water column (Palka pers. 

comm.14).

4.1.4.4 Sea Turtle Bycatch Estimation Methods for all 

Federally Managed Commercial Fisheries

The same general estimation methods and data sources 

were used to estimate the bycatch of marine mammals and 

sea turtles. For sea turtle bycatch estimates, definitions of 

14 D. L. Palka. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods 

Hole, MA 02543

∑=

= •

S

i

B 1

observed takesi

observed landings (m tons)i

total landings (m tons)i

( ) ii y = +++++ xfxfxf 22110 log log(effort) β ...

bH-4.1.indd 94 2/5/12 
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NORTHEAST REGION

strata and significant variables in bycatch rate models were 

fishery-specific and differed from the marine mammal bycatch rate models. Fisheries with no observed takes were 

given estimates of zero.15

4.1.4.4.1 Mid-Atlantic Region: Sea Turtle Bycatch Estimation Methods for Federally Managed Gillnet 

Commercial Fisheries

Bycatch estimates of turtles in gillnet gear were not available for inclusion in this report. However, observer data from 

1994 to 2006 were examined in order to estimate sea turtle 

bycatch in this fishery in 2009 (see Murray 2009); updated 

estimates will be included in the next edition of this report.

4.1.4.4.2 Mid-Atlantic Region: Loggerhead Sea 

Turtle Bycatch Estimation Methods for 

Federally Managed Scallop Dredge

Commercial Fisheries

Bycatch rate models, primarily for loggerhead species, 

were developed using GLM and GAM, assuming either a 

binomial or Poisson distribution (see Section 4.1.4.3.2). 

The unit of effort used for estimating total loggerhead bycatch in dredge fisheries was primarily “dredge hours,” the 

cumulative amount of time that dredges were fishing in the 

water. For instance, if a vessel towed two dredges for one 

hour, the total number of dredge hours would be two. The 

primary source for commercial fishing effort in the scallop 

dredge fishery was VTR data.

Annual bycatch estimates for sea turtles in the scallop 

dredge fishery from 2001 to 200516 are reported in Murray 

(2004a, 2004b, 2005, and 2007). 

4.1.4.4.3 Mid-Atlantic Region: Sea Turtle Bycatch 

Estimation Methods for Federally Managed 

Trawl Commercial Fisheries

Bycatch was estimated separately for bottom trawl gear designed to catch fish and those designed to catch scallops. 

Observer data from 1994 to 2004 were pooled to develop 

the bycatch rate model for bottom trawl fisheries for fish. 

Observer data from 2004 to 2005 were pooled to develop 

the bycatch rate model for bottom trawl fisheries for scallops. Bycatch rate models for loggerheads were developed 

using ratio estimation, or GLMs and GAMs, assuming a 

15 Takes may have occurred in some of these fisheries; however, due to 

insufficient coverage and further statistical issues, the bycatch estimate is 

actually undefined or unknown because bycatch estimation is not feasible. 

Thus for simplicity at this time, a zero bycatch was assigned to fisheries. 16 The bycatch estimates for sea turtles in 2001 and 2002 were for only part 

of the scallop dredge fishery in the Mid-Atlantic. 

Poisson distribution (see section 4.1.4.3.2). The primary 

data source for commercial fishing effort in trawl fisheries was VTR data; however, the Northeast Dealer Report 

Landings database was used to adjust VTR effort for proper 

extrapolation of observed bycatch rates.

Bycatch estimates for sea turtles in the bottom otter trawl 

fishery are reported in Murray (2006). Bycatch estimates 

for sea turtles in the scallop trawl fishery are reported in 

Murray (2007).

4.1.4.5 Seabird Bycatch Estimation Methods for 

Federally Managed Commercial Fisheries

Bycatch estimates of seabirds in all fishing gear were not 

available for inclusion in this report. Observer data from 1996 

to 2006 are currently being examined to develop estimates 

of seabird species-specific bycatch in gillnet fisheries.

4.1.5  Tier Classification of Northeast

Region Fisheries

Data quality and bycatch estimation methods were evaluated for 52 of the 63 fisheries in the Northeast Region. Only 

relevant Federal data-collection programs were evaluated. 

Other data may be available for state, international, and 

tribal fisheries; however, these programs were beyond the 

scope of this initial report. Tier scores were assigned to 50 

fisheries in the fish category and 52 in the marine mammal 

and other protected species categories, according to the 

scoring process outlined in Section 3. Two fisheries that received marine mammal/other protected species tier scores 

(the Atlantic blue crab trap/pot and the Mid-Atlantic haul/

beach seine fisheries) were not evaluated for fish, as fish 

data and estimation methods were not available for evaluation. Fishery tier assignments for the Northeast Region U.S. 

National Bycatch Report fisheries are given in Table 4.1.3.

The largest percentage of fisheries, 68% (34), were assigned to Tier 3 (Figure 4.1.3A). Of the remaining fisheries, 8% of fisheries (4) were classified in the highest tier 

category, Tier 4. The remaining 12 fisheries were classified 

in Tiers 0, 1, and 2. For marine mammals (Figure 4.1.3B), 

9% of fisheries (3) were classified as Tier 4, 65% (23) were 

classified as Tier 3, and 20% (7) were classified in Tiers 1 

and 2. Similarly, for other protected species (Figure 4.1.3C), 

9% of fisheries (3) were classified as Tier 4, with 65% (23) 

in Tier 3, and 20% (7) in Tier 2. No fisheries were classified 

as Tier 1 for other protected species. 

Grouped fisheries were assigned to a single tier for the 

marine mammal and other protected species categories, 

based on current bycatch data-collection and estimation 

methods. Note that the total number of fisheries for marine 

mammal and other protected species shown in Figure 4.1.3 

bH-4.1.indd 95 2/5/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

is based on the number of grouped fisheries evaluated (8) 

plus the number of individual fisheries evaluated for fish bycatch (27). The total number of fisheries for Fish is 50 (the 

number of individual fisheries evaluated). The tier for each 

group was “cascaded” down to individual U.S. National Bycatch Report fisheries (Table 4.1.3; see Section 3.2). 

Of the fisheries evaluated, two HMS fisheries managed jointly by NMFS and ICCAT, the Gulf of Maine/Mid-Atlantic tuna, 

shark, and swordfish hook-and-line, and the Gulf of Maine/

Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, and swordfish harpoon, were classified as Tier 0 for bycatch data/estimation methods in all 

categories by the NMFS HMS Management Division. Little 

data were available on bycatch in these fisheries.. 

Table 4.1.3

Fishery tier classifications for Northeast Region fisheries for 2005. Grouped fisheries are listed 

alphabetically, first by fisheries group name, then by management authority, and then by individual fishery 

name. Non-grouped fisheries are listed next, by management authority and then fishery name. The 

marine mammal and other protected species tier scores for grouped fisheries represent the tier score for 

the group as a whole (denoted by asterisk*); individual fisheries were not evaluated. Shaded fisheries 

were evaluated for this report. Only relevant Federal data-collection programs were evaluated. 

Fishery Name Management Authority Fish Tier

Marine 

Mammals Tier

Other Protected 

Species Tier

Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic ExtraLarge-Mesh Gillnet Federal 3 3* 3*

Mid-Atlantic 

Large-Mesh Gillnet Federal 3 3* 3*

Mid-Atlantic 

Small-Mesh Gillnet Federal 3 3* 3*

Mid-Atlantic Otter Trawl Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic 

Large-Mesh Otter Trawl Federal 3 3* 4*

Mid-Atlantic 

Small-Mesh Otter Trawl Federal 3 3* 4*

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Dredge Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic General 

Cat. Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

Federal 3 3* 4*

Mid-Atlantic General 

Cat. Open Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal 3 3* 4*

Mid-Atlantic LimitedAccess Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

Federal 3 3* 4*

Mid-Atlantic LimitedAccess Open Area 

Scallop Dredge

Federal 3 3* 4*

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NORTHEAST REGION

Fishery Name Management Authority Fish Tier

Marine 

Mammals Tier

Other Protected 

Species Tier

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Trawl Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic General 

Cat. Scallop Trawl Federal 3 3* 4*

Mid-Atlantic LimitedAccess Scallop Trawl Federal 3 3* 4*

New England Bottom Longline Fisheries

New England Bottom 

Longline Federal 3 3* 3*

New England Haddock 

Sector Longline Federal 3 3* 3*

New England Gillnet Fisheries

New England ExtraLarge-Mesh Gillnet Federal 4 4* 3*

New England LargeMesh Gillnet Federal 4 4* 3*

New England SmallMesh Gillnet Federal 3 4* 3*

New England Otter Trawl Fisheries

New England B-Reg 

DAS Large-Mesh Otter 

Trawl

Federal 3 4* 3*

New England LargeMesh Otter Trawl Federal 4 4* 3*

New England SmallMesh Otter Trawl Federal 4 4* 3*

New England US/CAN 

Area Large-Mesh Otter 

Trawl

Federal 3 4* 3*

New England US/CAN 

Area Small-Mesh Otter 

Trawl

Federal 3 4* 3*

New England Scallop Dredge Fisheries

New England General 

Cat. Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

Federal 3 3* 3*

New England General 

Cat. Open Area Scallop 

Dredge

Federal 3 3* 3*

Table 4.1.3 (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fishery Name Management Authority Fish Tier

Marine 

Mammals Tier

Other Protected 

Species Tier

New England Scallop Dredge Fisheries (cont.)

New England LimitedAccess Closed Area 

Scallop Dredge

Federal 3 3* 3*

New England LimitedAccess Open Area 

Scallop Dredge

Federal 3 3* 3*

Non-Grouped Fisheries

Mid-Atlantic 

Bottom Longline Federal 3 3 3

Mid-Atlantic Clam/

Quahog Dredge Federal 2 3 3

Mid-Atlantic 

Mid-Water Otter Trawl Federal 3 3 3

New England Clam/

Quahog Dredge Federal 2 3 3

New England Crab Pots Federal 2 2 2

New England 

Mid-Water Otter Trawl Federal 3 4 3

New England 

Scottish Seine Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Maine, MidAtlantic Tuna, Shark, 

Swordfish Harpoon

Federal, international 0 0 0

Gulf of Maine, MidAtlantic Tuna, Shark, 

Swordfish Hook-andLine

Federal, international 0 0 0

Mid-Atlantic Hand Line Federal, international 3 3 3

Mid-Atlantic Purse Seine Federal, international 3 3 3

New England Hand Line Federal, international 3 3 3

New England 

Purse Seine Federal, international 3 3 3

Mid-Atlantic 

Fish Pots and Traps Federal, state 3 3 3

Mid-Atlantic 

Lobster Pots Federal, state 2 3 3

Mid-Atlantic 

Shrimp Trawl Federal, state 3 3 3

New England 

Fish Pots and Traps Federal, state 3 3 3

Table 4.1.3 (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

Fishery Name Management Authority Fish Tier

Marine 

Mammals Tier

Other Protected 

Species Tier

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

New England

 Lobster Pots Federal, state 3 3 3

Atlantic Blue Crab 

Trap/Pot State 3 3

Chesapeake Bay 

Inshore Gillnet State 2 2 2

Delaware River 

Inshore Gillnet State 1 2 2

Gulf of Maine Herring 

and Atlantic Mackerel 

Stop Seine

State

Gulf of Maine 

Herring and Atlantic 

Mackerel Weir

State

Gulf of Maine Mussel State

Gulf of Maine Urchin 

Dive, Hand/Mechanical 

Collection

State

Long Island Sound 

Inshore Gillnet State 2 2 2

Mid-Atlantic Crab Pots State 2 3 3

Mid-Atlantic 

Crab Stop Seine State

Mid-Atlantic Crab Weir State

Mid-Atlantic 

Eel Trap/Pot State

Mid-Atlantic Hand Seine State

Mid-Atlantic 

Haul/Beach Seine State 2 2

Mid-Atlantic Oyster State

New England 

Shrimp Trawl State 3 3 3

Northeast Atlantic 

Finfish Aquaculture State

Northeast Atlantic 

Shellfish Aquaculture State

RI, S. MA (to Monomoy 

Is.) and NY Bight 

(Raritan and Lower NY 

Bays) Inshore Gillnet

State 1 2 2

Virginia Pound Net State 2 1 2

Table 4.1.3 (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

NORTHEAST

Regional Overview — Fish

n = 50

Tier 3

68% (34)

Tier 2

16% (8)

Tier 1

4% (2)

Tier 0

4% (2) Tier 4

8% (4)

A

NORTHEAST

Regional Overview — MMPA PR

n = 35

Tier 1

3% (1)

Tier 0

Tier 4 6% (2)

9% (3)

Tier 2

17% (6)

Tier 3

65% (23)

B

NORTHEAST

Regional Overview — Other Protected Species

n = 35

Tier 3

65% (23)

Tier 4

9% (3)

Tier 2

20% (7)

Tier 0

6% (2)

C

4.1.6 Northeast Regional Key Stocks

Fifty-five key stocks/populations were identified in the Northeast Region (Table 4.1.4). Sixty-four percent (35) are fish 

stocks, which includes stocks of individual key species as 

well as the stocks listed under the skate complex (Figure 

4.1.4). All Northeast key fish stocks are listed at the species level in accordance with the regional management 

approach. The majority are FSSI17 fish stocks, including 

one FSSI complex, the Northeast Skate Complex, which is 

made up of seven stocks. Seven FSSI fish stocks were added during the qualitative process: black sea bass (Centropristis striata), both FSSI stocks of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), redfish (Sebastes fasciatus), both FSSI 

stocks of silver hake (Merluccius albidus), and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). Regulations influencing bycatch 

levels were cited as the reason for including haddock, while 

silver hake was listed due to public concern/high visibility. 

Three stocks, black sea bass, redfish, and spiny dogfish, 

were added due to their rebuilding status. A lack of data 

17FSSI = fish stock sustainability index, a performance measure for the 230 

stocks selected for importance to U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries.

also contributed to the Northeast Regional team’s decision 

to add black sea bass to the key stocks list. 

As in all regions, ESA-listed stocks present in the Northeast 

were automatically added to the list of key stocks. This included two fish stocks, six marine mammal stocks, five sea 

turtle populations, and two seabird populations. Six marine 

mammal stocks were identified as key stocks through the 

quantitative process: the Western North Atlantic coastal 

stock of bottlenose dolphin, Western North Atlantic stock 

of short-beaked common and Atlantic white-sided dolphins, 

the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy stock of harbor porpoise, 

and long- and/or short-finned pilot whales. These were added due to bycatch in excess of the zero mortality-rate goal 

and/or declining or unknown population status, according 

to the process outlined in Section 3. No marine mammals 

were added to the list of key stocks during the qualitative 

process. One seabird population, the Atlantic red-throated loon, was added during the qualitative process due to 

concerns over high levels of bycatch and the documented 

high level of oil spill takes during previous oil spills. The 

red-throated loon is also on the USFWS list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Figure 4.1.3

Number and percentage of Northeast Region fisheries in each fishery tier class, for fisheries with Federal 

management or Federal data-collection programs for 

A) fish, B) marine mammals, and C) other protected 

species. Tier scores are for the year 2005.

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NORTHEAST REGION

Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides No Yes

Atlantic coda Gadus morhua Yes Yes

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus Unknown Yes

Black sea bass Centropristis striata No No–rebuilding

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus No Yes

Haddockb Melanogrammus aeglefinus No Yes

Monkfishc Lophius americanus No Yes

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus No Yes

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus Undefined No

Red haked Urophycis chuss Unknown/undefined No

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus No No–rebuilding

Scup Stenotomus chrysops Yes Yes

Shortfin squid, northern Illex illecebrosus No Unknown

Silver hakee Merluccius bilinearis No No

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias No No–rebuilding

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus Yes Yes

Windowpane flounderf Scophthalmus aquosus No No/yes

Yellowtail flounderg Limanda ferruginea Yes Yes

Skate Complexh

Barndoor skate Dipturus laevis No No–rebuilding

Clearnose skate Raja eglanteria No No

Little skate Leucoraja erinacea No No

Rosette skate Leucoraja garmani No No

Smooth skate Malacoraja senta No No

Thorny skate Amblyraja radiata No Yes

Winter skate Leucoraja ocellata No Yes

Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Atlantic salmon, Gulf of Maine 

Distinct Population Segment Salmo salar Endangered

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum Endangered

Table 4.1.4

Key fish and marine mammal stocks, and key sea turtle and seabird populations for the 

Northeast Region. Northeast Region stocks were identified and are listed in this table at the 

species level for consistency with Northeast bycatch estimation methods, but were counted 

at the stock level in this report for consistency with other regions. Stocks are identified in the 

footnotes to this table. Overfishing/overfished status based on 2008 Quarter 1 FSSI report.

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Key Fish Stocks Not Listed by FSSI or ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

None

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA 

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Endangered

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Endangered

North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis Endangered

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Endangered

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Endangered

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

ZMRG Stock status Common name Scientific i name

Bottlenose dolphin - W. N. Atl. 

Coastal Tursiops truncatus Variable Variable

Common dolphin, short beaked 

— W. N. Atl. Delphinus delphis 100 Unknown

Harbor porpoise – Gulf of 

Maine/Bay of Fundy Phocoena phocoena 61 Unknown

Pilot whale, long-finned Globicephala melaena (melas) 24.9 j Unknown

Pilot whale, short-finned Globicephala macrorhynchus 24.9 j Unknown

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 50.9 Unknown

Key Sea Turtle Populations

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population status

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas

Threatened

(except in Florida and the Pacific coast of Mexico, where the 

breeding populations are endangered)

Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii Endangered

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened

Table 4.1.4 (continued)

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FSSI fish stocks 

47% (33)

ESA fish stocks

5% (2)

Marine 

mammals

27% (12)

Sea turtles

13% (5)

Seabirds

8% (3)

Fish

stocks

Breakdown of 

Fish Stocks

Non-FSSI, non-ESA

fish stocks 

0% (0) 

Key Seabird Populations Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population status

Cahow Pterodroma cahow Endangered

Roseate tern, Northeast 

nesting population Sterna dougallii dougallii Endangered

Key Seabird Populations Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Bycatch concern Population status

Red-throated loon, Atlantic Gavia stellata Yes Decreasing

a Atlantic cod has two stocks: Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. Both are FSSI species, both are overfished, and overfishing is occurring for both. b Haddock has two stocks: Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. Both are FSSI species and both are overfished, but overfishing is not occurring. c Monkfish have two stocks: North and South. Both are FSSI species and both are overfished, but overfishing is not occurring.

d Red hake has two stocks: Gulf of Maine/ Northern Georges Bank and Southern Georges Bank/ Middle Atlantic. Both are FSSI species. The Gulf of Maine/ 

Northern Georges Bank stock is not overfished and it is unknown whether overfishing is occurring. The Southern Georges Bank/ Middle Atlantic stock is not 

overfished and overfishing levels are undefined. 

e Silver hake has two stocks: Gulf of Maine/ Northern Georges Bank and Southern Georges Bank/ Middle Atlantic. Both are FSSI species and are not overfished or undergoing overfishing.

f Windowpane flounder has two stocks: Gulf of Maine/ Georges Bank and Southern New England/ Middle Atlantic. Both are FSSI species and are not 

overfished, but overfishing is occurring. The Southern New England/ Middle Atlantic stock is overfished; the Gulf of Maine/ Georges Bank stock is not 

overfished. 

g Yellowtail flounder has three stocks: Southern New England/ Middle Atlantic, Georges Bank, and Cape Cod/ Gulf of Maine. All are FSSI species, are overfished, and are undergoing overfishing.

h This grouping includes the species listed in addition to unidentified skates.

i Stock status based on Waring et al. (2007). http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/tm/tm205/

j Long-finned and short-finned pilot whale species are combined for the purpose of evaluating bycatch and stock status because it is not currently possible to 

determine potential biological removal (PBR) or serious injury and mortality estimates separately for each species.

Figure 4.1.4

Number and percentage of key stocks in the 

Northeast Region. 

Table 4.1.4 (continued)

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4.1.7. Northeast Region Bycatch Estimates

Bycatch estimates for the Northeast Region by fishery are 

presented in Appendix 4.1, Tables 4.1.A through 4.1.D. Fish 

bycatch estimates are provided by individual fishery (Table 

4.1.A) and by stock (Table 4.1.B). Marine mammal (Table 

4.1.C) and sea turtle (Table 4.1.D) estimates are provided 

at the grouped fishery level and the non-grouped fishery 

level, according to Northeast Region protected species estimation procedures. Methods to estimate seabird bycatch 

are currently being developed. In this report, Northeast Region bycatch estimates were provided for 34 fish species, 

6 marine mammal stocks, and 8 sea turtle populations. All 

fisheries with Federal observer data that had no recorded 

takes of marine mammals or sea turtles had estimates of 

zero.

4.1.7.1 Fish Bycatch Estimates

Fish bycatch estimates were provided for 25 fisheries. Estimates were not provided for the following Northeast Region 

federally managed commercial fisheries (listed alphabetically) due to limited or no at-sea observer coverage in 2005 

(Table 4.1.2): 

•	 Gulf of Maine Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, swordfish harpoon 

•	 Gulf of Maine, Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, swordfish hookand-line. 

•	 Mid-Atlantic bottom longline 

•	 Mid-Atlantic clam/quahog dredge 

•	 Mid-Atlantic crab pots

•	 Mid-Atlantic fish pots and traps 

•	 Mid-Atlantic general category closed area scallop 

dredge

•	 Mid-Atlantic hand line

•	 Mid-Atlantic large-mesh gillnet 

•	 Mid-Atlantic limited-access scallop trawl

•	 Mid-Atlantic lobster pots

•	 Mid-Atlantic purse seine 

•	 Mid-Atlantic small-mesh gillnet 

•	 Mid-Atlantic shrimp trawl18

•	 New England clam/quahog dredge 

•	 New England crab pots 

•	 New England fish pots and traps 

•	 New England Scottish seine 

•	 New England small-mesh gillnet 

•	 New England lobster pots 

As bycatch data and estimation methods become available, 

estimates for these fisheries will be calculated and included 

in future editions of this report. 

18 The Mid-Atlantic shrimp trawl fishery is not managed under a Federal FMP.

4.1.7.2 Protected Species Bycatch Estimates

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for eight 

grouped fisheries and five non-grouped fisheries. Sea turtle 

bycatch estimates were provided for seven grouped and 

two non-grouped fisheries. Seabird bycatch estimates are 

currently not available for any Northeast fisheries. Bycatch 

estimates of cetaceans and sea turtles were not provided 

for the following Northeast Region federally managed commercial fisheries (listed alphabetically) due to limited or no 

at-sea observer coverage in 2005: 

•	 Mid-Atlantic bottom longline 

•	 Mid-Atlantic clam/quahog dredge 

•	 Mid-Atlantic crab pots 

•	 Mid-Atlantic fish pots and traps 

•	 Mid-Atlantic hand line 

•	 Mid-Atlantic lobster pots

•	 Mid-Atlantic purse seine 

•	 Mid-Atlantic shrimp trawl 

•	 New England clam/quahog dredge 

•	 New England crab pots 

•	 New England fish pots and traps 

•	 New England Scottish seine

•	 New England lobster pots 

As bycatch data and estimation methods become available, 

estimates for these fisheries will be calculated and included 

in future editions of this report. Note that mortalities and/or 

serious injuries to ESA-listed marine mammal species that 

are attributed to fisheries based on entanglement data cannot be linked to a specific fishery, and were therefore not 

included in this report. This information is available online in 

Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports.19

4.1.8 Fishery Bycatch Estimation 

Improvement Plans

Fish bycatch estimation improvement plans were developed 

for the 25 Northeast Region Federal fisheries for which bycatch is currently estimated. These fisheries were identified 

through the quantitative process as having bycatch of key 

stocks/populations and/or high overall bycatch levels. Fish 

bycatch estimation improvement plans were also developed for the 18 Federal fisheries where data and/or bycatch 

estimation methods are unavailable. These fisheries were 

added through the qualitative process (outlined in Section 

3) due to potential bycatch concerns and observer coverage levels below those stipulated by the Northeast Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM; NEFMC 

and MAFMC 2007).

Protected species bycatch estimation improvement plans 

19 http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/species.htm

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were developed for six of the eight grouped fisheries (see 

Table 4.1.1). Due to insufficient data, it was not possible 

to evaluate protected species bycatch in the New England 

bottom longline or the New England scallop dredge fisheries. Bycatch of protected species for these fisheries may 

be included in the next editon of this report if there are observed takes. 

Bycatch estimation improvement plans for the New England 

and Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl fisheries were developed 

by both fish and protected species biologists.

Due to differences in sampling protocol and coverage goals, 

recommendations to improve bycatch data and estimation 

methodology for fish and protected species are listed separately. Deficiencies and recommendations for fish are listed 

in Section 4.1.8.1 by individual fishery, while deficiencies 

and recommendations for protected species in grouped 

fisheries are listed in Section 4.1.8.2. The deficiencies and 

recommendations for joint fish/protected species bycatch 

estimation improvement plans are listed in Section 4.1.8.3. 

Improvement plans were not developed for the following 

HMS fisheries:

•	 Gulf of Maine, Mid-Atlantic Tuna, Shark, Swordfish Harpoon

•	 Gulf of Maine, Mid-Atlantic Tuna, Shark, Swordfish Hookand-Line.

Though both fisheries occur in Northeast Region waters, 

these fisheries are managed by NMFS Office of Sustainable Fisheries, HMS Division. Little information was available on these fisheries; both are classified as Tier 0 in all 

three categories. Plans are for data sources, bycatch, and 

any recommendations for improvement to be included in 

future editions of this report. 

4.1.8.1 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans 

for Northeast Fisheries of Focus—Fish

The Northeast Regional team developed a generic improvement plan for the following fisheries identified through 

the quantitative and qualitative processes (listed alphabetically):

Quantitative Process:

•	 Mid-Atlantic extra-large-mesh gillnet

•	 Mid-Atlantic general category open area scallop dredge

•	 Mid-Atlantic general category scallop trawl 

•	 Mid-Atlantic large-mesh otter trawl 

•	 Mid-Atlantic limited-access closed area scallop dredge 

•	 Mid-Atlantic limited-access open area scallop dredge 

•	 Mid-Atlantic small-mesh otter trawl 

•	 New England B-DAS large-mesh otter trawl 

•	 New England bottom longline 

•	 New England extra-large gillnet 

•	 New England general category closed area scallop 

dredge 

•	 New England general category open area scallop 

dredge 

•	 New England haddock sector longline 

•	 New England handline 

•	 New England large-mesh gillnet 

•	 New England large-mesh otter trawl 

•	 New England limited-access closed area scallop dredge 

•	 New England limited-access open area scallop dredge

•	 New England purse seine

•	 New England shrimp trawl 

•	 New England small-mesh otter trawl 

•	 New England US/CAN area large-mesh otter trawl 

•	 New England US/CAN area small-mesh otter trawl

Qualitative Process:

•	 Mid-Atlantic bottom longline 

•	 Mid-Atlantic clam/quahog dredge 

•	 Mid-Atlantic crab pots 

•	 Mid-Atlantic fish pots and traps 

•	 Mid-Atlantic handline 

•	 Mid-Atlantic general category closed area scallop 

dredge 

•	 Mid-Atlantic large-mesh gillnet 

•	 Mid-Atlantic limited-access scallop trawl 

•	 Mid-Atlantic lobster pots 

•	 Mid-Atlantic purse seine 

•	 Mid-Atlantic shrimp trawl 

•	 New England small-mesh gillnet 

•	 Mid-Atlantic small-mesh gillnet 

•	 New England clam/quahog dredge 

•	 New England crab pots; 

•	 New England fish pots and traps

•	 New England lobster pots

•	 New England Scottish seine

Tier classes: See individual fishery tiers in Table 4.1.3.

Bycatch data-collection and estimation concerns: The 

Northeast Regional team identified several deficiencies in 

bycatch data-collection and estimation methods common 

across multiple fisheries. These elements were derived directly from the tier scoring system and included: faulty assumptions of the analytical approach; integration and linkages between observer data and supplemental data; sampling coverage; species/fleet-specific discard mortality; and 

verification of industry data.

Recommendations: Recommendations were made in multiple fisheries to improve the analytical approach (estimation methodology) through advances in the methodology of 

the estimators; to implement a study of discard mortality 

(via special studies, study fleets, etc.); and to improve verification of industry data (via expanded audits). For some 

fisheries, improvements to the database infrastructure were 

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also recommended. For several Northeast Region fisheries, recommendations were also made to improve the design implementation by increasing sampling coverage (see 

below).

The Northeast Region’s recommendations for maintaining/increasing observer coverage levels were based on 

the stipulations of the Northeast Region Omnibus SBRM 

Amendment (NEFMC and MAFMC 2007). Detailed information on how these levels were calculated is available within 

Table 4.1.5

Summary of Northeast Region recommendations and estimated needs for implementation in terms of full-time staff and observer days-at-sea (DASa). General recommendations are listed first; then, grouped fisheries are listed alphabetically, 

first by fishery group name, then by individual fishery name. Non-grouped fisheries are listed last, by fishery name. Fisheries identified during the qualitative process appear in shaded rows; fisheries in unshaded rows were identified through a 

quantitative process. For further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8.

Note that observer programs collect data on both fish and protected species. Observer 

recommendations specific only to protected species are identified. ** denotes no additional resource requirements. For further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8.

the SBRM Amendment. Recommendations to maintain current observer coverage levels were made for 16 fisheries 

(Table 4.1.5). The total cost of existing Northeast Region 

observer programs in 2008 was $14.060M, including $2.2M 

in industry funding that supported coverage of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Recommendations to implement or 

increase observer coverage were made for 27 fisheries. 

Fishery-specific recommendations for changes to observer 

coverage are outlined in Table 4.1.5. 

Recommendation b Additional DAS c Feasibility

Recommendations for All Fisheries

Improve industry data via expanded audits. NA High

Improve analytic approach via advances in the methodology of 

estimators. NA High

Research on discard mortality (via special studies, study fleets, etc.) 

for multiple fisheries. NA High

Improve database infrastructure for multiple fisheries. NA High

Improve industry data via expanded audits (protected species). NA High

Implement serious-injury protocol for determining serious injuries of 

protected species; update observer program data-collection forms 

(protected species).

NA High

Conduct needs assessment for seabird bycatch data-collection and 

estimation (protected species). NA High

 (work has already been initiated)

Fishery-specific Recommendations

 Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fisheries 

Increase observer coverage of the Mid-Atlantic extra-large-mesh 

gillnet fishery to obtain pilot coverage.d 20 High

To achieve 30% CV across all Mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries, increase 

observer coverage (protected species). 500 High

Expand fishing effort variables collected by states across all MidAtlantic gillnet fisheries (protected species). NA Low

Obtain complete list of active gillnet vessels for all Mid-Atlantic gillnet 

fisheries (protected species). NA High

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Recommendation b Additional DAS c Feasibility

Fishery-specific Recommendations

 Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fisheries (cont.)

Informational mailings to fishers in all Mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries 

using VTR data forms (protected species). NA High

Implement pilot observer program for the Mid-Atlantic large-mesh 

gillnet fishery. 91 High

Implement pilot observer program for the Mid-Atlantic small-mesh 

gillnet fishery. 15 High

Mid-Atlantic Otter Trawl Fisheries

Increase observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic large-mesh otter trawl 

fishery. 342 High

To achieve 30% CV across all Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fisheries, 

increase observer coverage (protected species). 500 High

Direct observer coverage to areas of suspected high-sea turtle 

bycatch across all Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fisheries (protected species). NA Unknown

Update VTR logbooks to include fields for BRD presence/absence, 

and whether the BRD was functioning properly across all Mid-Atlantic 

otter trawl fisheries (protected species).

NA Unknown

Increase observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic small-mesh otter trawl 

fishery. 659 High

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Dredge Fisheries

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic general 

category closed area scallop dredge fishery. 12 High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the Mid-Atlantic 

general category open area scallop dredge fishery. ** High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the Mid-Atlantic 

limited-access closed area scallop dredge fishery. ** High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the Mid-Atlantic 

limited-access open area scallop dredge fishery. ** High

Hire employee to process VMS data for use in bycatch estimation 

in Mid-Atlantic limited-access open area scallop dredge fishery 

(protected species).

NA Unknown

Implement observer program coverage for general category vessels 

operating in open areas (protected species). Unknown Unknown

Investigate the effectiveness of analyzing the sea turtle bycatch rate 

by pooling data over year (protected species). NA High

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the Mid-Atlantic 

general category scallop trawl fishery. ** High

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic limited-access 

scallop trawl fishery. 24 High

Implement observer program coverage for general category vessels 

operating in open areas. Unknown Unknown

Improve VTR gear log to capture additional gear information. NA Unknown

Hire employee to process VMS data for use in bycatch estimation. NA Unknown

Table 4.1.5 (continued)

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Recommendation b Additional DAS c Feasibility

Fishery-specific Recommendations

New England Bottom Longline Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England bottom longline fishery. ** High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England haddock sector longline. ** High

New England Gillnet Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels for the New 

England extra-large-mesh gillnet fishery. ** High

Achieve 30% CV across all New England gillnet fisheries. 600 High

Informational mailings for all fisheries in New England gillnet fisheries 

using VTR data forms. NA High

Apply new regression methods to estimate bycatch of marine 

mammals in New England gillnet fisheries (protected species). NA High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels for the New 

England large-mesh gillnet fishery. ** High

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England small-mesh 

gillnet fishery. 12 High

New England Otter Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England B-Reg DAS large-mesh otter trawl fishery. ** High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England large-mesh otter trawl fishery. ** High

Increase observer coverage in the New England small-mesh otter 

trawl fishery. 1,562 High

To achieve 30% CV across all New England otter trawl fisheries, 

increase observer coverage (protected species). 10,000 Moderate

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England US/CAN area large mesh otter trawl fishery. ** High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England US/CAN area small-mesh otter trawl fishery. ** High

New England Scallop Dredge Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels but improve 

temporal coverage in the New England general category closed area 

scallop dredge fishery.

** High

Implement pilot observer coverage in the New England general 

category open area scallop dredge fishery. 127 High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England limited-access closed area scallop dredge fishery. ** High

Increase observer coverage in the New England limited-access open 

area scallop dredge fishery. 91 High

Non-Grouped Fisheries

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic bottom longline 

fishery. 19 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic clam/quahog 

dredge fishery. 21 High

Table 4.1.5 (continued)

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Recommendation b Additional DAS c Feasibility

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Implement pilot observer coverage for Mid-Atlantic crab pot fishery. 12 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for Mid-Atlantic fish pots/traps 

fishery. 20 High

Implement pilot observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic handline fishery. 33 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for Mid-Atlantic lobster pot fishery. 22 High

Increase observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic mid-water otter trawl 

fishery. 512 High

Deploy an additional observer for all paired-trawl trips in the MidAtlantic mid-water paired trawl fishery (protected species). Unknown High

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic purse seine 

fishery. 6 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic shrimp trawl 

fishery. 19 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England clam/quahog 

dredge fishery. 12 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for New England crab pot fishery. 25 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for New England fish pots/traps 

fishery. 12 High

Increase observer coverage in the New England handline fishery to 

obtain pilot coverage. 110 High

Implement pilot observer coverage for New England lobster pot 

fishery. 110 High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in the New 

England purse seine fishery. ** High

Increase observer coverage in the New England mid-water otter trawl 

fishery. 35 High

Increase observer coverage of the New England single mid-water 

trawl fishery (protected species). 1,250 Moderate

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England Scottish seine 

fishery. 23 High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels but improve 

temporal coverage in the New England shrimp trawl fishery. ** High

Number of new full-time staff needed to implement all data quality and 

estimation method improvements recommended by the Northeast 

region

17

Total DAS requirement for all fish recommendations (not including 

“unknowns”) 3,946

Total DAS requirement for all protected species recommendations (not 

including “unknowns”) 12,850

a Some recommendations may require additional resource expenditures, such as equipment, which are not itemized. b For some fisheries that have both fish and protected species recommendations for increased observer coverage, the FTE and DAS can be shared. Hence the 

requirement totals are not additive.

c One observer DAS includes the cost for the observer deployment as well as costs for associated equipment and program administrative functions (staffing). 

d Pilot coverage is 0.5% of trips.

Table 4.1.5 (continued)

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4.1.8.2 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans

for Northeast Fisheries of Focus—

Protected Species

Several common issues were identified by the Northeast 

Regional team in developing bycatch estimation improvement plans for marine mammals, sea turtles, and other protected species. In many cases, observer coverage is not 

sufficient to provide the recommended CV of 30% for rareevent species. In addition, a recommendation was made for 

all grouped fisheries to verify industry data more thoroughly 

through expanded audits of VTR data. Lastly, the Northeast 

Region recommended that the serious-injury determination 

protocol for cetaceans be implemented, as outlined in the 

Anderson et al. (2007) NMFS Technical Memorandum, including updating NEFOP data-collection forms as needed. 

To improve seabird bycatch data collection/estimation, the 

Northeast Regional team recommends completing a full assessment of needs. 

Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: various (see Table 4.1.3); Marine Mammals: 3; Other Protected Species: 3

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns: 

Marine Mammals:

•	 Observer coverage is not sufficient in at least some time–

area strata to adequately evaluate the effectiveness of 

the recently implemented Bottlenose Dolphin TRP measures (e.g., the summer Northern North Carolina management unit) and to obtain precise bycatch estimates 

(i.e., CV less than or equal to 30%). 

•	 Some of the effort data reported in the gillnet VTR database appear inaccurate and/or incomplete. 

•	 More effort data (e.g., number of nets, hauls, and soak 

duration) need to be recorded for the entire fishery, so 

that definitions of bycatch rates other than takes/total 

landings can be investigated. 

•	 A complete list of active gillnet vessels that hold state 

and/or Federal permits is needed to ensure representative observer coverage of the entire gillnet fleet. 

•	 Robust analytical methods (such as regression methods) that are appropriate for rare events (e.g., bycatch of 

marine mammals) have not been explored for all marine 

mammal species that are bycaught in gillnet fisheries, 

and there is currently a lack of turtle bycatch estimates 

(however, estimates are currently being developed).

Recommendations:

Marine Mammals:

•	 Achieving bycatch estimates of coastal bottlenose dolphins and harbor porpoises that have a 30% CV was recommended. It is projected that about 900 sea days are 

required (Rossman 2007), which is about 500 days more 

than was funded in 2007. Although the additional coverage in state waters is possible, it will be more difficult (especially for small vessels). However, it should be feasible 

to identify and monitor all state fishing vessels. 

•	 It was recommended that a mailing be employed to remind gillnetters using VTR data forms of what data are 

required, the definitions of these data, and how to report 

effort data more accurately.

•	 Currently, only VTR and Virginia State data record several variables reflecting fishing effort; it was recommended 

that this should be changed. It would be a very large project to change the state data-collection variables. At this 

time, this does not seem feasible. 

•	 It was recommended that to obtain a complete list of active vessels, all available databases (VTR, dealer, and 

state databases) need to be fully explored (which is feasible and possible with current resources). In addition, 

the SEFSC is currently visiting North Carolina ports to 

obtain a complete and up-to-date list of coastal fishers, in 

particular those using small vessels. Funding for an additional year would ensure this project is completed. 

•	 Currently, regression methods are being explored to estimate bycatch for harbor porpoises. It was recommended 

that these methods should be applied using the current 

level of staffing and funding, and it is recommended that 

these methods continue to be explored for applicability to 

other species within the next year or two. Methods to estimate sea turtle bycatch using current resources should 

also continue to be explored.

New England Gillnet Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: various (see Table 4.1.3); Marine Mammals: 4; Other Protected Species: 3

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns: 

Marine Mammals:

•	 Observer coverage using the limited sampling protocol is 

insufficient in some time-area strata to obtain precise (CV 

less than or equal to 30%) bycatch estimates of marine 

mammals. 

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•	 Some of the effort data reported in the gillnet VTR database appear inaccurate and/or incomplete.

•	 Robust analytical methods (e.g., regression methods) 

that are appropriate for rare events have not been explored for all marine mammal species that are bycaught 

in gillnet fisheries. 

Recommendations: 

Marine Mammals:

•	 Achieving an estimate of harbor porpoise bycatch with 

a maximum 30% CV was recommended. It is projected 

that about 1,000 sea days are required, based on the 

estimates in Rossman (2007) plus an additional 200 days 

for summer coverage, which is about 600 days more than 

was funded in 2007. 

•	 It was recommended that a mailing be employed to remind gillnetters using VTR data forms of what data are 

required, the definitions of these data, and how to report 

effort data more accurately. 

•	 It was also recommended to continue exploring regression methods of estimating bycatch for harbor porpoises. 

It is feasible that with the current level of staffing and 

funding, these methods will be applied to other species 

within the next year or two. 

New England Otter Trawl Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: various (see Table 4.1.3); Marine Mammals: 4; Other Protected Species: 3

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns: 

Marine Mammals:

•	 Observer coverage is insufficient in some time-area strata 

to obtain precise (maximum 30% CV) bycatch estimates 

for marine mammals in this fishery. There is currently a 

lack of a process or protocol for determining serious injuries.20

•	 Differences in total landings between VTR and dealer records have not been incorporated into previous marine 

mammal bycatch analyses; however, this is currently being investigated. 

•	 The VTR data should be verified more thoroughly (see 

discussions above).

•	 Information on the kite panels of otter trawls, which may 

20 Since 2005, great improvements have been made both in the level of 

observer coverage and in the methods used to estimate marine mammal 

bycatch.

be correlated with marine mammal bycatch rates, was 

previously not collected by the observer program; in 

2008, the observer program began to collect this information. 

Recommendations: 

Marine Mammals:

•	 Achieving long- and/or short-finned pilot whale bycatch 

estimates that have a maximum CV of 30% was recommended, it is projected that an additional 10,000 sea 

days are required (Rossman 2007; Wigley et al. 2007). 

However, these sea-day projections do not account for 

overlap between fish and marine mammal sampling programs; therefore, the estimate of additional sea days is 

over-estimated, to an unknown degree. 

Mid-Atlantic Otter Trawl Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: various (see Table 4.1.3); Marine Mammals: 3; Other Protected Species: 4

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns: 

Marine Mammals: 

•	 Observer coverage is insufficient in some times and areas to obtain precise (maximum 30% CV) bycatch estimates. 

•	 Differences in total landings between VTR and dealer records have not been incorporated into previous marine 

mammal bycatch analyses; however, this is currently being investigated. 

•	 Information on the kite panels of otter trawls, which may 

be correlated with marine mammal bycatch rates, was 

previously not collected by the observer program; in 

2008, the observer program began to collect this information. 

Sea turtles: 

•	 Observer coverage is insufficient in some bycatch strata 

to obtain precise (minimum 30% CV) bycatch estimates. 

•	 Bycatch analyses should examine whether different types 

of trawl nets or TEDs affect turtle bycatch rates. In the 

past, the data for such an analysis were not available. 

•	 The VTRs do not report use or condition of a TED, so it is 

difficult to monitor compliance and effectiveness of TED 

usage in reducing sea turtle bycatch. Discrepancies exist in the VTR database between what is reported on the 

logbooks and what is entered into the database.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Recommendations: 

Marine mammals: 

•	 Achieving bycatch estimates for long- and/or short-finned 

pilot whales that have a 30% CV was recommended. It 

is projected that an additional 500 sea-days are required 

(Rossman 2007; Wigley et al. 2007). However, these sea 

day projections do not account for overlap between the 

fish and marine mammal sampling programs. Therefore, 

the number of additional sea days is over-estimated, but 

to an unknown degree. 

Sea turtles: 

•	 It was recommended that observer coverage should be 

expanded in the Mid-Atlantic (average coverage from 

1996 to 2004 was less than 1%) to improve the precision 

of bycatch estimates. Due to the large size and diversity 

of the trawl fishery, coverage could be directed to areas 

(e.g., warm shallow waters of the southern Mid-Atlantic) 

where the likelihood of turtle bycatch is highest, as determined from bycatch analyses. Analyses should be conducted to identify areas where observer coverage should 

be directed. 

•	 Due to recent changes in observer data-collection protocols, observers are now collecting more information 

about the types of trawl nets used in the fishery, as well 

as different types of TEDs. It is recommended that as this 

type of data collection continues, the additional information will improve future bycatch analyses. 

•	 It was also recommended that the VTRs should include 

a field for fishermen to indicate whether a BRD was used 

on their gear during a fishing trip, and ideally whether 

that TED was functioning properly (i.e., it was not clogged 

with debris or damaged in any way). More auditing procedures should be developed when VTR data are entered 

or scanned into the database for quality assurance.

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Dredge Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: various (see Table 4.1.3); Marine Mammals: 3; Other Protected Species: 4

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns: 

Sea turtles: 

•	 There is no industry-funded observer coverage and only 

a low level of NMFS-funded observer coverage for vessels fishing under general category permits in open areas. Thus, there is a lack of data collection in this sector 

of the fishery. 

•	 Further research is needed on factors associated with 

estimated bycatch rates to help design bycatch mitigation strategies. 

•	 The VTR data have been used to expand bycatch rates 

to estimate an overall fishery total. Dredges are typically 

towed for approximately one hour, but the location of VTR 

fishing effort is represented by a single geographic point. 

As a result, the spatial distribution of estimated bycatch 

may not be adequately represented. 

Recommendations: 

Sea turtles: 

•	 It was recommended that observers should be placed 

on vessels operating under general category permits in 

open areas, because these vessels are not part of the 

industry-funded program. 

•	 To date, bycatch analyses have been conducted on an 

annual basis, for a very dynamic fishery regulated via rotational access areas.21 It was recommended that analysis of bycatch rates should be conducted using a longer 

time series of data to help elucidate factors associated 

with bycatch rates. 

•	 The use of VMS data (already collected in the dredge 

fishery) should improve bycatch estimation methods, as 

these data are a better representation of mobile fishing 

effort. It was recommended that a full- or part-time employee should be hired to process VMS data and make it 

easily available to users. 

Mid-Atlantic Scallop Trawl Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: various (see Table 4.1.3); Marine Mammals: 3; Other Protected Species: 4

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns:

Sea turtles: 

•	 There is no industry-funded coverage for vessels fishing 

under general category permits in open areas, so there is 

a lack of data collection in this sector of the fishery. 

•	 The VTR data have been used to derive total bycatch estimates. Because VTR fishing effort is represented only 

by a single geographic point, the spatial distribution of 

estimated bycatch may not be adequately represented. 

21 Rotational access areas are a system of alternating closed areas which 

is used to manage the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. 

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NORTHEAST REGION

Recommendations: 

Sea turtles: 

•	 It was recommended that observers should be placed 

on vessels operating under general category permits in 

open areas, because these vessels are not part of the 

industry-funded program. 

•	 Further work was recommended on characterizing trawl 

gear designed to harvest scallops versus trawl gear designed to harvest fish, and on whether these gear differences have an impact on turtle bycatch rates. 

•	 The VTRs use different gear codes for trawls designed 

to catch fish and trawls designed to catch scallops, but it 

was recommended that information about the gear other 

than what is being caught should be included, to help differentiate the gear types. 

•	 The use of VMS data (already collected in the scallop 

trawl fishery) could improve bycatch estimation methods 

because these data are a better representation of mobile 

fishing effort. It was recommended that a full or part-time 

employee could be hired to process VMS data and make 

it easily available to users. 

4.1.8.3 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans for 

Northeast Region Fisheries of Focus— 

Fish and Protected Species

For two fisheries, the Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl and the 

New England mid-water trawl, protected species recommendations were made at the U.S. National Bycatch Report 

fishery level. Combined fish/protected species improvement 

plans were developed for these fisheries. Based on the tier 

scoring system (see Appendix H for detailed descriptions 

of individual tier elements), the Northeast Regional team 

identified the following bycatch data-collection and estimation concerns for fish: 

•	 Design implementation (sampling coverage) 

•	 Assumptions of the analytical approach

•	 Species- and fleet-specific discard mortality

•	 Verification of industry data

Bycatch data-collection and estimation issues identified 

for marine mammals included concerns over the ability of 

a single observer to collect accurate data for paired trawl 

fisheries, as well as the need to observe the catcher and 

processor boat components that are involved in some parts 

of the mid-water trawl fisheries. 

As in the previous sections, for both fisheries, recommendations were made for fish and protected species to verify 

industry data more thoroughly via extended audits.

Mid-Atlantic Mid-Water Trawl Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: 3; Marine Mammals: 3; Other Protected 

Species: 3

Bycatch Data-collection and Estimation Concerns:

Fish: 

•	 See list above

Marine Mammals: 

•	 In the single midwater trawl fishery, when a processing 

boat is involved, observers may miss bycatch because 

they are not on both the trawl vessel and the processing 

boat.

•	 In the paired midwater trawl fishery, observers may miss 

some marine mammal bycatch, because they are aboard 

only one of the two vessels operating a pair trawl. 

•	 Observers may also miss recording bycatch when a processing boat is used, because not all of the catch is observed when a vessel pumps only part of the catch and 

then releases the rest. 

Recommendations: 

Fish: 

•	 It was recommended that sampling coverage be improved to provide baseline coverage (518 additional observer days) for this fishery. 

•	 It was recommended that the analytical approach could 

be improved via advances in methodology of estimators. 

•	 It was also recommended that studies of discard mortality (via special studies, study fleets, etc.) should be implemented.

Marine Mammals: 

•	 It was recommended that for paired-trawl trips, two observers should be deployed, one on each vessel. Each 

observer would record the data only from hauls where 

the landings were collected by the vessel they were on. 

•	 It was also recommended that the processor boat and 

all involved single midwater trawl vessels should be observed, to document the landings and bycatch that are 

brought aboard. Prior to a haul being brought aboard, it is 

not feasible for an observer to see the either the species 

or quantity that has been released from the net while the 

net is still in the water. 

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New England Mid-Water Trawl Fisheries

Tier Classes: Fish: 3; Marine Mammals: 4; Other Protected 

Species: 3

Bycatch and Data-collection Concerns: 

Fish: 

•	 See above

Mammals: 

•	 See above 

Recommendations: 

Fish: 

•	 It was recommended that sampling coverage could be 

improved by adding additional sea days. Based on the 

Northeast Region SBRM, 35 additional observer days are 

needed to supplement observer coverage in this fishery. 

•	 Another recommendation is that the analytical approach 

could be improved via advances in methodology of estimators. 

•	 It was also recommended that studies of discard mortality (via special studies, study fleets, etc.) should be implemented. 

Marine Mammals: 

•	 The recommendation was that approximately 1,500 sea 

days are needed to achieve a precise bycatch estimate of 

all marine mammals in the New England single mid-water 

trawl fishery (Wigley et al. 2007); this is about 1,250 additional sea days over what is usually observed. However, 

this predicted number of sea days is an over-estimate 

because it does not account for marine mammal-specific 

spatial–temporal distribution patterns.

•	 It was recommended that for paired-trawl trips, two observers should be deployed, one on each vessel. Each 

observer would record the data only from hauls where 

the landings were collected from the vessel they were 

on. 

•	 It was also recommended that the processor boat and 

all involved single midwater trawl vessels are observed 

to document the landings and bycatch that are brought 

aboard. However, at this time the number of additional 

observed trips is not known. 

4.1.8.4 Summary of Northeast Region

Recommendations 

Table 4.1.5 outlines the bycatch data-collection and estimation improvements recommended by the Northeast Region. 

Differences in fish and protected species recommendations 

are based on different sampling goals. To accurately estimate bycatch of rare-event species such as marine mammals, high overall coverage levels are necessary. 

A total of 68 Northeast Region recommendations are listed 

in Table 4.1.5. Of these, 47 apply exclusively to improving 

fish bycatch data collection/estimation, while the remaining 21 relate to protected species. Eighteen of the fish recommendations were for fisheries identified as fisheries of 

concern during the qualitative process (shaded in grey in 

Table 4.1.5). The known additional requirements for Northeast fisheries to meet the fish-related recommendations are 

4,534 observer DAS. To meet protected species recommendations, 12,250 DAS are needed. However, it would not be 

accurate to add these figures together to arrive at a total set 

of requirements, due to the overlap in observer coverage 

for fish and protected species needs in individual fisheries. 

For example, if the recommendation for fish purposes is 

to increase observer coverage by 100 DAS, and the recommendation for protected species is to increase observer 

coverage by 200 DAS, in sum this is not a recommendation 

to increase observer coverage by 300 DAS. Depending on 

the spatial–temporal distribution of the recommended observer coverage, the recommended increase to deal with 

all concerns could be anywhere between 200 and 300 

DAS. That is, the recommendation for increasing observer 

coverage by 200 DAS assumes that the first increase of 

100 days would satisfy both fish and protected species recommendations. If there were no overlap between the coverage recommended for fish and coverage recommended for 

protected resources, then the total recommended increase 

would be the sum of the two requests (300 DAS). In addition, it is estimated that 17 full-time staff would be required 

to carry out recommendations for improvements to bycatch 

data and estimation quality. For all fisheries that have recommendations for increased observer coverage for both 

fish and protected species, staffing and DAS resources can 

be shared. In addition, there are many recommendations 

for which requirements were not determined and therefore 

were not included in the listed totals. These requirements 

would be in addition to current program resources. 

The feasibility of each recommendation is listed in Table 

4.1.5. All recommendations made for fish were considered 

feasible. Nearly all recommendations made for protected 

species were considered feasible. In a few fisheries, because marine mammal bycatch is rare, the number of observed sea days to estimate a bycatch rate with a CV of 

30% would be extremely high. 

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NORTHEAST REGION

4.1.8.5 Improvements Expected From 

Implementation of Recommendations 

The majority of Tier 3 fisheries in the Northeast Region are 

in the upper 33% of the Tier 3 range, indicating that only 

minor improvements would result in a change to Tier 4. For 

most of these fisheries, only minor improvements in spatial 

or temporal coverage will be needed, as well as improvements in industry data (expanded audits and infrastructure 

links between databases). The fish and protected species 

bycatch estimations for Northeast Region fisheries will benefit from improved industry data via expanded data audits, 

as well as from infrastructure improvements to link associated databases. Only minor tier changes will result from 

such improvements, due to the low associated values of 

these criteria, but this does not accurately reflect the importance of these two improvements.

The majority of Tier 2 fisheries in the NE are in the lower 

50% of the Tier 2 range, indicating that substantial improvements in sampling coverage and industry data will be needed to advance the tier score.

In a few fisheries (e.g., New England otter trawl and New 

England single mid-water trawl), protected species bycatch 

is very rare (Rossman 2007). If it were necessary to precisely estimate this bycatch, it would require an extremely 

high level of observer coverage, which would be prohibitively expensive.

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Appendix 4.1 Northeast Region Bycatch Estimates

Subtable 4.1.A.1

MID-ATLANTIC 

EXTRA-LARGE-MESH GILLNET

MID-ATLANTIC GENERAL CAT. 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON 

NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

YEAR AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 649.31 Pounds 0.67 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 3,854.00 Pounds 0.74 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea 

scallop

Placopecten 

magellanicus 2005 3,997.02 Pounds 0.55 2005 233,012.93 Pounds 0.35

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,026.12 Pounds 0.69

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,038.04 Pounds 0.36

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 10,939.37 Pounds 0.33 2005 0 Pounds

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Deep sea red 

crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,234.77 Pounds 0.43

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 491,819.01 Pounds 0.31 2005 244,138.15 Pounds 0.18

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 325.03 Pounds 0.65

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,301.47 Pounds 0.92

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 0 Pounds 2005 647.78 Pounds 0.93

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0 Pounds 2005 32.50 Pounds 0.83

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 14.14 Pounds 1.05

Table 4.1.A 

Subtables showing annual fish and invertebrate bycatch estimates and 

coefficient of variation (CV; where available) for Northeast Region fisheries. Bycatch estimates are in live pounds. Key stocks are shaded. For 

the skate complex, bycatch estimates are available only for a generalized stock group, indicated by an * following the group name. 

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NORTHEAST REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.1.A.1)

MID-ATLANTIC 

EXTRA-LARGE-MESH GILLNET

MID-ATLANTIC GENERAL CAT. 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON 

NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

YEAR AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Shortnose 

sturgeon

Acipenser 

brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 34.86 Pounds 1.10 2005 398.63 Pounds 0.64

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 631,693.75 Pounds 0.45 2005 2,923,466.09 Pounds 0.11

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 282,540.40 Pounds 0.31 2005 32,321.32 Pounds 0.31

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 7,082.26 Pounds 0.34 2005 69,626.98 Pounds 0.21

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Windowpane 

flounder 

Scophthalmus 

aquosus

2005 156.88 Pounds 1.00 2005 33,722.90 Pounds 0.20

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 11,434.77 Pounds 0.44

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 518.44 Pounds 0.65

Yellowtail 

flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 0 Pounds 2005 451.17 Pounds 0.58

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,432,766.86 Pounds 3,554,711.33 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 6,278,084.92 Pounds 28,432,781.26 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 7,710,851.78 Pounds 31,987,492.59 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 

(Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.19 0.11

Subtable 4.1.A.2

MID-ATLANTIC 

GENERAL CAT. SCALLOP TRAWL

MID-ATLANTIC 

LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 22.76 Pounds 0.96 2005 71.57 Pounds 1.36

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 38.57 Pounds 1.00 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 135.28 Pounds 0.71

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea 

scallop

Placopecten 

magellanicus 2005 992,563.55 Pounds 0.13 2005 30,775.94 Pounds 0.83

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 22.76 Pounds 0.96 2005 1,000.86 Pounds 0.74

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.1.A.2)

MID-ATLANTIC 

GENERAL CAT. SCALLOP TRAWL

MID-ATLANTIC 

LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 303.81 Pounds 0.48 2005 11,121.83 Pounds 0.68

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 16,970.57 Pounds 1.07

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 108.78 Pounds 0.52 2005 8,332.53 Pounds 0.98

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,203.63 Pounds 0.73

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 125.19 Pounds 0.59 2005 0 Pounds

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 976.34 Pounds 0.40 2005 1,444.03 Pounds 0.59

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 132,857.32 Pounds 0.11 2005 65,726.01 Pounds 0.52

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 1,052.90 Pounds 0.42 2005 0 Pounds

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 4,874.24 Pounds 0.74 2005 156.12 Pounds 0.81

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 386.95 Pounds 0.51 2005 5,410.47 Pounds 1.07

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 38.57 Pounds 1.01 2005 0 Pounds

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 3.81 Pounds 1.14 2005 827,700.41 Pounds 0.75

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 201.63 Pounds 0.48 2005 393.61 Pounds 1.29

Shortnose 

sturgeon

Acipenser 

brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 2,077.74 Pounds 0.38 2005 5,308.73 Pounds 1.16

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 451,525.91 Pounds 0.11 2005 8,257,235.38 Pounds 1.01

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 24,015.05 Pounds 0.62 2005 2,204,477.26 Pounds 0.61

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 1,170.76 Pounds 0.56 2005 185,965.96 Pounds 0.62

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 816.29 Pounds 0.53 2005 14.31 Pounds 1.41

Windowpane 

flounder 

Scophthalmus 

aquosus

2005 11,374.22 Pounds 0.30 2005 185,090.46 Pounds 0.87

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 30,842.66 Pounds 0.91

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 331.95 Pounds 0.41 2005 4,592.26 Pounds 0.73

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 57.97 Pounds 0.57 2005 364.99 Pounds 1.12

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,624,947.27 Pounds 11,847,334.87 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 8,525,063.72 Pounds 28,685,828.55 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 10,150,010.99 Pounds 40,533,163.42 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 

(Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.16 0.29

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.1.A.3

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS 

CLOSED AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 89.78 Pounds 0.72 2005 2,769.78 Pounds 0.76

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 28.87 Pounds 1.08

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 55.73 Pounds 0.97

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 200.97 Pounds 0.47 2005 2,787.01 Pounds 1.13

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten 

magellanicus 2005 1,743,662.58 Pounds 0.23 2005 4,462,795.92 Pounds 0.38

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 3,573.97 Pounds 0.28 2005 5,579.43 Pounds 0.69

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 29.07 Pounds 0.52 2005 176.71 Pounds 0.70

Deep sea red crab Chaceon 

quinquedens 2005 298.84 Pounds 0.58 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 64.58 Pounds 0.83 2005 0 Pounds

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 3,262.87 Pounds 0.39 2005 2,075.82 Pounds 0.39

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 1,691,490.12 Pounds 0.11 2005 2,057,543.71 Pounds 0.22

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 348.73 Pounds 0.54 2005 3,067.41 Pounds 0.61

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 357.39 Pounds 0.72 2005 20,314.84 Pounds 0.72

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 6,979.66 Pounds 0.36 2005 7,564.37 Pounds 0.49

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 668.79 Pounds 0.82

Scup Stenotomus 

chrysops 2005 2,246.79 Pounds 0.41 2005 891.72 Pounds 0.61

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 2,635.76 Pounds 0.50 2005 697.27 Pounds 0.64

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser 

brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 4,213.69 Pounds 0.21 2005 11,578.39 Pounds 0.46

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 5,576,095.28 Pounds 0.13 2005 7,773,634.11 Pounds 0.13

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 28,681.32 Pounds 0.32 2005 29,924.16 Pounds 0.29

Summer flounder Paralichthys 

dentatus 2005 303,960.20 Pounds 0.17 2005 501,989.68 Pounds 0.22

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.1.A.3)

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS 

CLOSED AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 67.98 Pounds 0.71 2005 650.25 Pounds 0.94

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus 

aquosus

2005 286.73 Pounds 0.60 2005 32,481.00 Pounds 0.35

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 1,520.00 Pounds 1.09 2005 8,718.79 Pounds 0.47

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 37,227.05 Pounds 0.16 2005 32,450.01 Pounds 0.45

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 119.10 Pounds 0.45 2005 2,088.00 Pounds 0.66

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 9,407,412.46 Pounds 14,960,531.77 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 60,488,181.80 Pounds 159,845,821.40 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 69,895,594.26 Pounds 174,806,353.17 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 

(Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.13 0.09

Subtable 4.1.A.4

MID-ATLANTIC 

MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL

MID-ATLANTIC 

SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,207.04 Pounds 0.61

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 0 Pounds 2005 216.52 Pounds 0.54

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 618,910.69 Pounds 0.69 2005 400,211.67 Pounds 0.53

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 736,858.93 Pounds 0.83 2005 468,264.59 Pounds 0.64

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten 

magellanicus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 94,258.41 Pounds 0.37

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,486.63 Pounds 1.95

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 142,643.63 Pounds 0.35

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 76,573.58 Pounds 0.42

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,464,288.01 Pounds 0.30

Deep sea red crab Chaceon 

quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 847.91 Pounds 0.62

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 9,360.90 Pounds 0.60

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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121

NORTHEAST REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.1.A.4)

MID-ATLANTIC 

MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL

MID-ATLANTIC 

SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,301,668.46 Pounds 0.26

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 1,578.70 Pounds 0.86 2005 360,209.36 Pounds 0.19

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 63.53 Pounds 0.43

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 0 Pounds 2005 101.21 Pounds 0.89

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 20,838.18 Pounds 0.62

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 442.04 Pounds 0.86 2005 50.87 Pounds 0.63

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,759,337.69 Pounds 0.27

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 2,495.50 Pounds 0.35

Scup Stenotomus 

chrysops 2005 12,098.64 Pounds 0.82 2005 189,979.42 Pounds 0.33

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 3,062,891.05 Pounds 0.41

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser 

brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,790,686.58 Pounds 0.29

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,191,935.87 Pounds 0.31

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 349,325.85 Pounds 0.41 2005 4,619,452.67 Pounds 0.27

Summer flounder Paralichthys 

dentatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 568,816.42 Pounds 0.26

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 5,149.89 Pounds 0.42

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 51,467.17 Pounds 0.46

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus 

aquosus

2005 0 Pounds 2005 118,665.65 Pounds 0.40

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 57,094.62 Pounds 0.82

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 72,456.25 Pounds 0.28

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 0 Pounds 2005 18,512.34 Pounds 0.58

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,719,214.85 Pounds 20,857,231.63 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 108,921,097.10 Pounds 69,347,982.19 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 110,640,311.95 Pounds 90,205,213.82 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 

(Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.02 0.23

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 121 2/5/12 
122

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.1.A.5

NEW ENGLAND B-REG DAS 

LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

NEW ENGLAND 

BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 17,884.69 Pounds 0.11 2005 6.80 Pounds 0.65

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 118,940.85 Pounds 0.22 2005 101,274.76 Pounds 0.27

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 2,241.25 Pounds 0.23 2005 211.10 Pounds 0.36

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 12,509.61 Pounds 0.40 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 192.03 Pounds 0.33 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten 

magellanicus 2005 30,947.18 Pounds 0.32 2005 13.06 Pounds 0.69

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 84.63 Pounds 0.85 2005 0 Pounds

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 3.06 Pounds 0.62 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 1,466.15 Pounds 0.33 2005 0 Pounds

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 13.34 Pounds 0.27 2005 0 Pounds

Deep sea red crab Chaceon 

quinquedens 2005 13,342.57 Pounds 0.19 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 100,172.14 Pounds 0.15 2005 80,590.68 Pounds 0.17

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 555.03 Pounds 0.36 2005 0 Pounds

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 155,226.61 Pounds 0.11 2005 14.65 Pounds 0.83

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 24,393.96 Pounds 0.14 2005 6,580.36 Pounds 0.32

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 903.46 Pounds 0.58 2005 0 Pounds

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 7.64 Pounds 0.62 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 5,695.65 Pounds 0.38 2005 444.52 Pounds 0.58

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 28,151.18 Pounds 0.19 2005 1,770.24 Pounds 0.27

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 29,825.54 Pounds 0.29 2005 823.38 Pounds 0.25

Scup Stenotomus 

chrysops 2005 18.71 Pounds 0.63 2005 0 Pounds

Shortfin squid, northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 2,360.54 Pounds 0.22 2005 0 Pounds

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser 

brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 29,438.83 Pounds 0.28 2005 3.46 Pounds 0.55

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 8,483,162.11 Pounds 0.11 2005 227,748.15 Pounds 0.20

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 162,301.87 Pounds 0.30 2005 338,563.65 Pounds 0.21

Summer flounder Paralichthys 

dentatus 2005 185,029.58 Pounds 0.15 2005 0 Pounds

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 87.08 Pounds 0.53 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 122 2/5/12 
123

NORTHEAST REGION

(continuation of subtable 4.1.A.5)

NEW ENGLAND B-REG DAS 

LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

NEW ENGLAND 

BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 4,653.39 Pounds 0.17 2005 2,409.64 Pounds 0.23

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus 

aquosus 2005 143,132.30 Pounds 0.13 2005 6.72 Pounds 0.75

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 5,543.31 Pounds 0.22 2005 0 Pounds

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 22,939.24 Pounds 0.10 2005 0 Pounds

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 94,918.15 Pounds 0.18 2005 29.85 Pounds 0.69

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 9,676,141.68 Pounds 760,491.02 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 12,311,245.88 Pounds 2,746,195.36 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 21,987,387.56 Pounds 3,506,686.38 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 

(Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.44 0.22

Subtable 4.1.A.6

NEW ENGLAND GENERAL CAT. 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

NEW ENGLAND 

HADDOCK SECTOR LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 251.36 Pounds 0.67 2005 19.35 Pounds 0.60

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 96.68 Pounds 0.78 2005 3278.24 Pounds 0.11

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 701.53 Pounds 0.31

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 28.63 Pounds 0.88

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 1,101,691 Pounds 0.32 2005 4.03 Pounds 0.88

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 12,181 Pounds 0.78 2005 0 Pounds

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 67,736.36 Pounds 0.08

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 1,046.62 Pounds 0.54 2005 12.10 Pounds 0.87

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 1,353.48 Pounds 0.79 2005 28.22 Pounds 0.68

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 123 2/5/12 
124

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.1.A.6)

NEW ENGLAND GENERAL CAT. 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

NEW ENGLAND 

HADDOCK SECTOR LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 96,580.43 Pounds 0.73 2005 0 Pounds

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 16.13 Pounds 0.70

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 0 Pounds 2005 2,271.91 Pounds 0.20

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 322.54 Pounds 0.23

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 36.29 Pounds 0.78

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 334,080.91 Pounds 0.38 2005 66,607.06 Pounds 0.11

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 0 Pounds 2005 24,198.76 Pounds 0.33

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 386.71 Pounds 0.78 2005 0 Pounds

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 2,231.19 Pounds 0.18

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 26,818.23 Pounds 0.47 2005 0 Pounds

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 21,195.52 Pounds 0.43 2005 0 Pounds

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4.03 Pounds 0.88

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 10,555.39 Pounds 0.52 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,606,237.03 Pounds 167,496.37 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 15,847,470.51 Pounds 1,342,529.51 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 17,453,707.54 Pounds 1,510,025.88 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.09 0.11

Subtable 4.1.A.7

NEW ENGLAND 

EXTRA-LARGE-MESH GILLNET

NEW ENGLAND GENERAL CAT. 

CLOSED AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 2005 2,293.16 Pounds 0.53 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 74,180.52 Pounds 0.17 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2005 7,359.52 Pounds 0.39 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 777.92 Pounds 0.34 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 55,926.74 Pounds 0.66 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 124 2/5/12 
125

NORTHEAST REGION

(continuation of subtable 4.1.A.7)

NEW ENGLAND 

EXTRA-LARGE-MESH GILLNET

NEW ENGLAND GENERAL CAT. 

CLOSED AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 577.45 Pounds 0.39 2005 275,255.30 Pounds 0.17

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 10.05 Pounds 0.93 2005 8,244.65 Pounds 0.18

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 31,486.21 Pounds 0.25 2005 0 Pounds

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 661.12 Pounds 0.50 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 2005 4,189.20 Pounds 0.23 2005 431.21 Pounds 0.56

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 858,679.96 Pounds 0.19 2005 70,816.41 Pounds 0.18

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 3,062.32 Pounds 0.80 2005 75.11 Pounds 0.87

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 30,095.12 Pounds 0.20 2005 0 Pounds

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 50.23 Pounds 0.62 2005 1,021.43 Pounds 0.51

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 4,783.26 Pounds 0.78 2005 0 Pounds

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 317.36 Pounds 0.29 2005 102.93 Pounds 0.56

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 1,441,001.13 Pounds 0.44 2005 70,668.47 Pounds 0.09

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 809,447.86 Pounds 0.17 2005 250.38 Pounds 1.07

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 47,622.22 Pounds 0.26 2005 2,225.58 Pounds 1.08

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 7,096.40 Pounds 0.53 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 23,781.18 Pounds 0.32 2005 5,041.37 Pounds 0.18

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 58.20 Pounds 0.51 2005 471.48 Pounds 1.05

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 4,300.86 Pounds 0.76 2005 3,018.45 Pounds 0.79

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2005 345.05 Pounds 0.53 2005 0 Pounds

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 5,249.27 Pounds 0.87 2005 3,421.82 Pounds 0.16

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3,413,352.31 Pounds 441,044.59 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 16,486,015.99 Pounds 2,359,046.28 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 19,899,368.30 Pounds 2,800,090.87 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.17 0.16

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 125 2/5/12 
126

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.1.A.8 NEW ENGLAND HAND LINE NEW ENGLAND LARGE-MESH GILLNET

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 2005 0 Pounds 2005 2,691.19 Pounds 0.26

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 51,170.32 Pounds 0.42 2005 202,334.25 Pounds 0.12

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,736.36 Pounds 1.50

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 10,469.35 Pounds 0.40

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,634.98 Pounds 0.48

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 20.63 Pounds 0.43

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 13,242.30 Pounds 0.42

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,713.14 Pounds 0.45

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 6,940.58 Pounds 0.36

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 9,741.65 Pounds 0.25

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,418.37 Pounds 1.11

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 100.70 Pounds 0.43

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 74,578.13 Pounds 0.12

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 0 Pounds 2005 931.82 Pounds 0.37

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,645.65 Pounds 0.20

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Shortfin squid, northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,851.56 Pounds 0.24

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds 2005 123,214.61 Pounds 0.59

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,199,078.01 Pounds 0.12

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 8.90 Pounds 0.91

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 24,233.90 Pounds 0.24

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 52.67 Pounds 0.46

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 9,226.73 Pounds 0.62

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 2,957.19 Pounds 0.70

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 0 Pounds 2005 26,106.07 Pounds 0.58

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 51,170.32 Pounds 4,718,928.74 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 606,807.70 Pounds 10,082,223.49 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 657,978.02 Pounds 14,801,152.23 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.08 0.32

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 126 2/5/12 
127

NORTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.1.A.9

NEW ENGLAND

 LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

NEW ENGLAND LIMITED-ACCESS 

CLOSED AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 2005 422,938.73 Pounds 0.13 2005 5,699.15 Pounds 0.33

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 671,163.94 Pounds 0.20 2005 3,426.70 Pounds 0.27

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2005 10,184.33 Pounds 0.25 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 9,479.36 Pounds 0.29 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 1,906.96 Pounds 0.45 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 33,767.62 Pounds 0.26 2005 1,484,379.47 Pounds 0.30

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 10,410.17 Pounds 1.41 2005 438.52 Pounds 0.80

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 20,135.01 Pounds 0.52 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 13,692.24 Pounds 0.54 2005 0 Pounds

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 1,306.15 Pounds 0.26 2005 20.12 Pounds 0.54

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 91,857.57 Pounds 0.32 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 2005 44,827.73 Pounds 0.22 2005 5,333.58 Pounds 0.25

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 4,376.01 Pounds 0.47 2005 27.04 Pounds 0.87

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 812,148.35 Pounds 0.16 2005 815,902.96 Pounds 0.19

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 144,860.12 Pounds 0.20 2005 2,559.13 Pounds 0.25

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 8,844.45 Pounds 1.20 2005 2,593.43 Pounds 0.54

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 131.55 Pounds 0.65 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 14,639.98 Pounds 0.31 2005 60.31 Pounds 1.04

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 34,530.02 Pounds 0.17 2005 80,032.18 Pounds 0.26

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 75,882.69 Pounds 0.23 2005 0 Pounds

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 141,213.74 Pounds 0.81 2005 0 Pounds

Shortfin squid, northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 13,480.84 Pounds 0.30 2005 2.18 Pounds 1.07

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 47,162.82 Pounds 0.21 2005 8,783.60 Pounds 0.31

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 11,221,918.11 Pounds 0.11 2005 2,632,370.32 Pounds 0.10

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 5,243,038.55 Pounds 0.16 2005 18,618.92 Pounds 0.34

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 364,571.07 Pounds 0.30 2005 37,656.18 Pounds 0.22

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 853.41 Pounds 1.29 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 15,257.74 Pounds 0.34 2005 4,152.47 Pounds 0.42

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 349,216.03 Pounds 0.29 2005 19,900.04 Pounds 0.40

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 262,080.69 Pounds 0.18 2005 105,790.81 Pounds 0.21

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2005 219,872.53 Pounds 0.12 2005 11,115.76 Pounds 0.29

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 127 2/5/12 
128

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of subtable 4.1.A.9)

NEW ENGLAND

 LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

NEW ENGLAND LIMITED-ACCESS 

CLOSED AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 550,227.73 Pounds 0.14 2005 272,309.34 Pounds 0.25

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 20,855,976.24 Pounds 5,511,172.21 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 43,557,613.40 Pounds 100,072,621.30 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 64,413,589.64 Pounds 105,583,793.51 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.32 0.05

Subtable 4.1.A.10

NEW ENGLAND LIMITED-ACCESS 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

NEW ENGLAND 

MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 2005 9,564.38 Pounds 0.86 2005 103.64 Pounds 0.37

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 2,301.72 Pounds 1.01 2005 1,229.70 Pounds 0.49

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2005 13.00 Pounds 1.36 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 3,485,776.07 Pounds 0.49

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 160.34 Pounds 1.14 2005 15,514.15 Pounds 0.81

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 2,421,457.49 Pounds 0.50 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 7,929.20 Pounds 1.36 2005 0 Pounds

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,261.71 Pounds 0.48

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 2005 1,825.18 Pounds 0.94 2005 129,197.10 Pounds 0.51

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 106.24 Pounds 0.62 2005 51.49 Pounds 0.58

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 636,864.80 Pounds 0.34 2005 542.83 Pounds 0.47

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 1,012.75 Pounds 0.61 2005 0 Pounds

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 703.06 Pounds 0.76 2005 0 Pounds

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 11,367.39 Pounds 0.58

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 39,435.60 Pounds 0.59 2005 930.16 Pounds 0.72

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 8,513.17 Pounds 0.89

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 85.15 Pounds 0.76 2005 0 Pounds

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 16.03 Pounds 0.87 2005 2,507.32 Pounds 0.52

Table 4.1.A (continued)

bH-4.1.indd 128 2/5/12 
129

NORTHEAST REGION

(continuation of subtable 4.1.A.10)

NEW ENGLAND LIMITED-ACCESS 

OPEN AREA SCALLOP DREDGE

NEW ENGLAND 

MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 11,088.39 Pounds 0.69 2005 22,304.94 Pounds 0.66

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 3,821,941.96 Pounds 0.20 2005 37.08 Pounds 0.94

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 12,507.86 Pounds 0.38 2005 427,523.97 Pounds 0.45

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 134,392.08 Pounds 0.43 2005 0 Pounds

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 1,261.89 Pounds 1.09 2005 971.69 Pounds 0.79

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 238,296.63 Pounds 0.66 2005 0 Pounds

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 108,473.87 Pounds 0.28 2005 12.87 Pounds 0.81

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2005 25,557.86 Pounds 0.72 2005 35.51 Pounds 0.38

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 215,999.33 Pounds 0.35 2005 15.02 Pounds 0.90

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 7,690,994.81 Pounds 4,107,895.81 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 66,955,538.32 Pounds 157,559,426.00 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 74,646,533.13 Pounds 161,667,321.81 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.10 0.03

Subtable 4.1.A.11 NEW ENGLAND PURSE SEINE

NEW ENGLAND 

SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 0 Pounds 2005 75,336.52 Pounds 0.45

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 0 Pounds 2005 97,527.64 Pounds 0.58

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,326.23 Pounds 0.61

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 2,116,551.85 Pounds 0.62 2005 556,568.37 Pounds 1.03

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 543.51 Pounds 1.00 2005 2,168,206.15 Pounds 0.57

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 7,856.78 Pounds 0.67

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 3,151.14 Pounds 0.32

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 1,322.06 Pounds 1.11 2005 3,929.07 Pounds 0.40

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 695,470.49 Pounds 0.41

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 49,696.99 Pounds 0.81

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(subtable 4.1.A.11 continued) NEW ENGLAND PURSE SEINE

NEW ENGLAND 

SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 208,029.68 Pounds 0.52

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 681,497.60 Pounds 0.34

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 365,098.00 Pounds 0.18

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 59,721.27 Pounds 0.68

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 0 Pounds 2005 101.81 Pounds 1.52

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,317,305.02 Pounds 0.20

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,012.77 Pounds 0.51

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0 Pounds 2005 32,584.03 Pounds 0.43

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 418,777.28 Pounds 0.32

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 4,058,984.51 Pounds 0.27

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 29.38 Pounds 1.15 2005 1,553,176.40 Pounds 0.28

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 9,785.14 Pounds 0.47 2005 1,897,558.52 Pounds 0.25

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 298,536.16 Pounds 0.39

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 53,696.55 Pounds 0.90

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 0 Pounds 2005 154,573.28 Pounds 0.85

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 35,985.42 Pounds 0.53

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 102,635.52 Pounds 0.47

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 116,748.79 Pounds 0.28

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 0 Pounds 2005 58,828.96 Pounds 0.42

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 2,128,231.94 Pounds 15,076,920.95 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 36,711,560.00 Pounds 31,812,284.60 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 38,839,791.94 Pounds 46,889,205.55 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.05 0.32

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.1.A.12 NEW ENGLAND SHRIMP TRAWL

NEW ENGLAND US/CAN AREA 

LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides 

platessoides 2005 39,828.50 Pounds 0.19 2005 82,000.42 Pounds 0.10

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 5,841.96 Pounds 0.36 2005 583,161.74 Pounds 0.11

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus 

hippoglossus 2005 166.44 Pounds 0.95 2005 6,227.96 Pounds 0.12

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 20,022.44 Pounds 0.33 2005 5,557.39 Pounds 0.24

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 6,074.97 Pounds 0.55 2005 704.41 Pounds 0.19

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten 

magellanicus 2005 216.37 Pounds 0.73 2005 71,215.71 Pounds 0.20

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,346.96 Pounds 0.29

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 0 Pounds 2005 11,984.66 Pounds 0.26

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 2,496.56 Pounds 0.59 2005 287.00 Pounds 0.69

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 1,671.21 Pounds 1.12 2005 61,888.39 Pounds 0.13

Haddock Melanogrammus 

aeglefinus 2005 116.51 Pounds 0.56 2005 529,686.87 Pounds 0.11

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 0 Pounds 2005 1,378.83 Pounds 0.23

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 7,687.26 Pounds 1.02 2005 318,719.47 Pounds 0.07

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 199.73 Pounds 0.80 2005 95,300.80 Pounds 0.11

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 0 Pounds 2005 7,514.01 Pounds 0.19

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 172.35 Pounds 0.65

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 249.66 Pounds 0.69 2005 18,152.22 Pounds 0.32

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 1,090.08 Pounds 0.55 2005 82,623.28 Pounds 0.22

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 2,402.22 Pounds 1.07 2005 51,173.16 Pounds 0.14

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0 Pounds 2005 52.02 Pounds 0.71

Shortfin squid, 

northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 675.60 Pounds 1.12 2005 2,647.02 Pounds 0.21

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 56,006.41 Pounds 0.27 2005 31,830.08 Pounds 0.24

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 13,214.84 Pounds 0.19 2005 19,632,726.61 Pounds 0.05

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 66.58 Pounds 0.57 2005 745,185.03 Pounds 0.22

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 0 Pounds 2005 537,739.01 Pounds 0.10

Tilefish Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps 2005 0 Pounds 2005 0 Pounds

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 2,181.47 Pounds 0.47 2005 12,790.65 Pounds 0.20

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 1,531.23 Pounds 0.31 2005 660,806.53 Pounds 0.10

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(subtable 4.1.A.12 continued) NEW ENGLAND SHRIMP TRAWL

NEW ENGLAND US/CAN AREA 

LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 2005 28,577.33 Pounds 0.40 2005 29,621.89 Pounds 0.30

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus 

cynoglossus 2005 7,207.96 Pounds 0.78 2005 78,527.31 Pounds 0.08

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 4,593.68 Pounds 0.31 2005 243,356.10 Pounds 0.10

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 202,119.01 Pounds 23,904,377.88 Pounds 

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 4,447,929.00 Pounds 32,685,411.98 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 4,650,048.01 Pounds 56,589,789.86 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.04 0.42

Subtable 4.1.A.13

NEW ENGLAND US/CAN AREA 

SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 2005 769.82 Pounds 0.12

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 2005 3,387.73 Pounds 0.13

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2005 69.60 Pounds 0.14

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 2005 8.93 Pounds 0.15

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 2005 5.02 Pounds 0.14

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 2005 0 Pounds

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 2005 41.06 Pounds 0.19

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 2005 79.62 Pounds 0.18

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 0 Pounds

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 29.31 Pounds 1.15

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2005 0.06 Pounds 0.18

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 2005 272.66 Pounds 0.18

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 2005 1,194.15 Pounds 0.11

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 2005 16.52 Pounds 0.34

Monkfish Lophius americanus 2005 2,062.40 Pounds 0.08

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 2005 1,057.78 Pounds 0.09

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 2005 2.52 Pounds 0.16

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 2005 0 Pounds

Pollock Pollachius virens 2005 219.39 Pounds 0.40

Red hake Urophycis chuss 2005 612.03 Pounds 0.53

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 2005 78.68 Pounds 0.14

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

(subtable 4.1.A.13 continued)

NEW ENGLAND US/CAN AREA 

SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2005 0.04 Pounds 0.29

Shortfin squid, northern Illex illecebrosus 2005 9.36 Pounds 0.17

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 2005 0 Pounds

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 2005 336.76 Pounds 0.40

Skate complex* Rajidae 2005 133,817.52 Pounds 0.06

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 12,375.92 Pounds 0.69

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 2005 3,409.43 Pounds 0.14

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps 2005 2.61 Pounds 0.42

White hake Urophycis tenuis 2005 123.81 Pounds 0.15

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 2005 6,445.28 Pounds 0.15

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus 2005 506.65 Pounds 0.12

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2005 1,006.26 Pounds 0.13

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 2005 3,300.53 Pounds 0.12

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 171,241.45 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 260,788.84 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 432,030.29 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.40

Table 4.1.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCH

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGS* 

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

SPECIES 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides

No stock 

bycatch 

estimates: all 

Northeast 

Region bycatch 

estimates are 

provided at the 

species level.

666,548.63 Pounds 2,975,805 Pounds 0.18

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua 1,920,182.60 Pounds 13,912,261 Pounds 0.12

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 30,266.19 Pounds 37,057 Pounds 0.45

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus 7,236,966.58 Pounds 213,381,830 Pounds 0.03

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus 3,462,970.05 Pounds 93,054,471 Pounds 0.04

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar 0 Pounds – – ±

Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus 12,988,509.88 Pounds 470,795,573 Pounds 0.03

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima 47,261.48 Pounds 310,553,295 Pounds < 0.01

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 187,549.92 Pounds 2,489,824 Pounds 0.07

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 182,897.23 Pounds 4,084,963 Pounds 0.04

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2,172,528.82 Pounds 963,652 Pounds 0.69

Deep sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens 226,454.03 Pounds – – ‡

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 1,189,821.62 Pounds 16,714,062 Pounds 0.07

Longfinned squid Loligo pealeii 1,998,671.05 Pounds 37,405,115 Pounds 0.05

Monkfish Lophius americanus 9,099,925.45 Pounds 41,857,436 Pounds 0.18

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus 346,480.99 Pounds 7,962 Pounds 0.98

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica 144,348.44 Pounds 250,868,896 Pounds <0.01

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus 21,250.42 Pounds 29,816 Pounds 0.42

Pollock Pollachius virens 156,011.40 Pounds 14,350,792 Pounds 0.01

Red hake Urophycis chuss 3,371,082.10 Pounds 947,175 Pounds 0.78

Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 185,665.91 Pounds 1,243,269 Pounds 0.13

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 1,206,906.98 Pounds 9,305,230 Pounds 0.11

Shortfin squid, northern Illex illecebrosus 3,507,309.73 Pounds 24,435,237 Pounds 0.13

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum 0 Pounds 0 Pounds ±

Table 4.1.B 

Summary of 2005 total bycatch estimates by species for Northeast 

Region fisheries. All estimates are live weights. Species bycatch 

ratio = total regional bycatch of a species / (total regional landings of 

the species + total regional bycatch of the species); see Section 3 for 

details on ratio calculation. Confidential landings are not presented. 

Key stocks have been highlighted.

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NORTHEAST REGION

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCH

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGS* 

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

SPECIES 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis

No stock 

bycatch 

estimates: all 

Northeast 

Region bycatch 

estimates are 

provided at the 

species level.

6,082,546.55 Pounds 16,530,387 Pounds 0.27

Skate complex Rajidae 79,561,301.04 Pounds -- -- **

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 21,471,238.99 Pounds 2,484,182 Pounds 0.90

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 3,250,189.36 Pounds 13,193,821 Pounds 0.20

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps 66,885.93 Pounds 1,486,993 Pounds 0.04

White hake Urophycis tenuis 306,679.69 Pounds 5,886,827 Pounds 0.05

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 1,864,498.60 Pounds 195,173 Pounds 0.91

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus 790,595.33 Pounds 8,084,186 Pounds 0.09

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 633,893.41 Pounds 5,845,971 Pounds 0.10

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 1,510,504.79 Pounds 9,077,978 Pounds 0.14

TOTAL BYCATCH 165,887,943.22 Pounds

* Landed weights are only for catch sold.

± Retention of Atlantic salmon and shortnose sturgeon are prohibited under the ESA.

‡ Deep sea red crab landings are confidential.

**Landings are not reported because this is a species complex. The U.S. National Bycatch Report does not use landings for complexes since species in the bycatch complex 

may be different than species in the landings complex, even though the complex name is the same.

Table 4.1.B (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.1.C.1 MID-ATLANTIC GILLNET FISHERIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Bottlenose dolphin, 

W. N. Atl. coastal 

stock

Tursiops truncatus 2001–05 61 Individuals 0.15

Harbor porpoise — 

Gulf of Maine/Bay of 

Fundy 

Phocoena phocoena 2001–05 177 Individuals 0.40

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 238 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.2 MID-ATLANTIC MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 2001–05 84 Individuals 0.34

Pilot whale 

(long- and/or short-finned) Globicephala spp. 2001–05 7 Individuals 0.34

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 91 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.3 MID-ATLANTIC OTTER TRAWL FISHERIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 2001–05 29 Individuals 0.11

Common dolphin, short beaked — 

W. N. Atl. Delphinus delphis 2001–05 118 Individuals 0.13

Pilot whale 

(long- and/or short-finned) Globicephala spp. 2001–05 38 Individuals 0.15

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 182 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.4 MID-ATLANTIC SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Table 4.1.C 

Subtables of marine mammal bycatch estimates and associated coefficients of variation (CVs) for Northeast Region fisheries. Bycatch 

estimates include incidental mortality and serious injury. Key stocks/

populations are highlighted. Where multiple years of data are indicated, the estimate is an annual average.

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NORTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.1.C.5 MID-ATLANTIC SCALLOP TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.6 NEW ENGLAND BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.7 NEW ENGLAND HAND LINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.8 NEW ENGLAND GILLNET FISHERIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 2001–05 31 Individuals 0.35

Common dolphin, short beaked — 

W. N. Atl. Delphinus delphis 2001–05 5 Individuals 0.80

Harbor porpoise — 

Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy Phocoena phocoena 2001–05 475 Individuals 0.16

Risso’s dolphin – W. N. Atl. Grampus griseus 2001–05 3 Individuals 0.93

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 514 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.9 NEW ENGLAND MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 2001–05 19 Individuals 0.35

Pilot whale 

(long- and/or short-finned) Globicephala spp. 2001–05 1 Individuals 0.35

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 20 Individuals

Table 4.1.C (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.1.C.10 NEW ENGLAND OTTER TRAWL FISHERIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 2001–05 192 Individuals 0.13

Common dolphin, short beaked — 

W. N. Atl. Delphinus delphis 2001–05 28 Individuals 0.13

Pilot whale 

(long- and/or short-finned) Globicephala spp. 2001–05 19 Individuals 0.12

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 239 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.11 NEW ENGLAND PURSE SEINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.12 NEW ENGLAND SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.C.13 NEW ENGLAND SHRIMP TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species – 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Table 4.1.C (continued)

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NORTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.1.C.14 (Summary) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NUMBER UNIT

Atlantic white-sided dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. Lagenorhynchus acutus 355 Individuals

Bottlenose dolphin — 

W. N. Atl. coastal stock Tursiops truncatus 61 Individuals

Common dolphin, short beaked — 

W. N. Atl. Delphinus delphis 151 Individuals

Harbor porpoise — 

Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy Phocoena phocoena 652 Individuals

Pilot whale 

(long-and/or short-finned) Globicephala spp. 65 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin — W. N. Atl. Grampus griseus 3 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,287 Individuals

Table 4.1.C (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.1.D.1 MID-ATLANTIC MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL 

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.2 MID-ATLANTIC OTTER TRAWL FISHERIES

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 1996–2004 616 Individuals 0.23

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 616 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.3 MID-ATLANTIC SCALLOP DREDGE FISHERIES

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2003–05 310 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 310 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.4 MID-ATLANTIC SCALLOP TRAWL FISHERIES

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2004–05 136 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 136 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.5 NEW ENGLAND BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Table 4.1.D

Subtables of sea turtle bycatch estimates (mortalities and individuals 

released alive) and associated coefficients of variation (CVs, where 

available), for Northeast Region fisheries. Key stocks/populations are 

highlighted. Where multiple years of data are indicated, the estimate 

is an annual average. Source: Murray (2004a, 2004b, 2005, 2007).

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NORTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.1.D.6 NEW ENGLAND GILLNET

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.7 NEW ENGLAND MIDWATER OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.8 NEW ENGLAND OTTER TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.9 NEW ENGLAND SCALLOP DREDGE

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.1.D.10 (Summary) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME NUMBER UNIT

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 1,062 Individuals

Table 4.1.D (continued)

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4.2 Southeast Region

The NMFS Southeast Region includes eight coastal states 

(North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) that border the 

northwestern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands are also included within the Southeast Region’s 

management jurisdiction. Three Large Marine Ecosystems 

(LMEs) occur within this region.1 The Southeast U.S. Continental Shelf LME, which extends from Cape Hatteras, 

North Carolina, to the Straits of Florida, is wholly contained 

within the region, as are portions of the Caribbean Sea LME 

and the Gulf of Mexico LME. The South Atlantic, Gulf of 

Mexico, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in 

conjunction with the NMFS, are responsible for managing 

fisheries in the Southeast Region. The wealth and variety of 

habitats contained within these ecosystems support a variety of marine species, from wide-ranging pelagics to coral 

reef communities. 

4.2.1 Fisheries Overview

A total of 48 commercial fisheries are included in this report 

for the Southeast Region (Table 4.2.1). Landings for these 

fisheries were valued at approximately $756 million dollars 

in 2005.2 Fisheries of the Southeast reflect the very diverse 

fauna of the region, with relatively few large fisheries, and 

many small fisheries. The region’s fisheries have catches 

from more than 200 stocks of fish and fishery resources, 

and employ a variety of gear types. Two fisheries dominate 

economically: the menhaden purse seine fishery and the 

shrimp trawl fishery. While the menhaden purse seine fishery produces the most landings (annual landings approach 

two million tons), the shrimp trawl fishery generates the 

most revenue regionally. In some years, the Southeast shrimp 

trawl fishery is the most valuable fishery in the nation.

Management of Southeast Region fisheries is split between 

the Federal government and the states, with 44% managed 

at the Federal level and 52% at the state level (Figure 4.2.1). 

Only the North Carolina coastal gillnet, Southeastern Atlantic stone crab trap/pot, and Florida portion of the Florida, 

Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands spiny lobster trap/pot 

fishery have shared Federal/state management. 

Four primary regional fishery management councils have 

Federal FMPs in the Southeast Region: the Mid-Atlantic 

Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), South Atlantic 

Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC), Gulf of Mexico 

Fisheries Management Council (GMFMC), and the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (CFMC). 

1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/.

2 Ex-vessel landings value, NMFS, Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2006. 

Available online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/fisheries_economics_2006.html.

The MAFMC FMPs are primarily focused on managing fish 

stocks within the U.S. EEZ waters of the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Mid-Atlantic states include Connecticut, New 

York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Most 

MAFMC FMPs are for fisheries managed by the Northeast 

Region, although some Southeast Region Federal fisheries 

in North Carolina are also managed under MAFMC regulations (e.g., flounder trawls).

The SAFMC manages stocks targeted by fisheries in the 

EEZ off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and 

Florida, from east Florida to Key West. In some cases, the 

SAFMC shares management with the Mid-Atlantic and New 

England Fishery Management Councils. The SAFMC currently develops regulations under eight FMPs:

•	 Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

•	 Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic 

•	 Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region 

•	 Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region 

•	 Snapper–Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region 

•	 Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 

•	 Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the 

South Atlantic Region

•	 Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region 

(Note: management of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) 

has been transferred to the states.)

The Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources and Spiny Lobster FMPs are joint efforts of the GMFMC and SAFMC. The 

GMFMC manages stocks targeted by fisheries in the Federal waters off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and 

the west coast of Florida. In addition to the two joint SAFMC/GMFMC FMPs, the GMFMC currently has five other 

FMPs under its jurisdiction:

•	 Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico 

•	 Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico

•	 Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 

•	 Red Drum Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico

•	 Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico 

The CFMC is responsible for developing FMPs for fish 

stocks in the Federal waters surrounding Puerto Rico and 

the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, there are four FMPs in 

place:

•	 Shallow Water Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands

•	 Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

•	 Corals and Reef-Associated Plants and Invertebrates

•	 Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 

Virgin Islands

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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As discussed in Section 4.1 on the Northeast Region, U.S. 

Atlantic fisheries, tuna, swordfish, and billfish are managed 

by NMFS under the authority of the ATCA and the MSA. 

In the Southeast Region, the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

HMS pelagic longline, large coastal and small coastal shark 

aggregates (drift, strike, and bottom gillnet), and the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline 

fisheries are managed under the Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory Species FMP and monitored by both the 

NMFS, HMS Division, and the Southeast Fisheries Science 

Center (SEFSC). 

Southeast Region NMFS staff also work with the ASMFC, a 

deliberative body representing the 15 Atlantic coastal states; 

the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC; a 

body representing the five Gulf of Mexico states); and state 

government agencies to coordinate the management of 

transboundary species. Four member states of the ASMFC border Federal waters of the Southeast Region: North 

Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The five 

GSMFC states, bordering Federal waters of the Southeast 

Region, are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and 

Florida. Both the ASMFC and the GSMFC also coordinate 

the Regional state data-collection networks: the Atlantic 

Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) on the 

Atlantic coast, and the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Information 

Network (GulfFIN) in the Gulf region. 

Table 4.2.1

Southeast Region fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Fisheries are 

listed alphabetically, first by management authority and then by fishery name. Rows 

containing fisheries for which bycatch estimates are included in this report are shaded.

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Caribbean Gillnet Federal

Shallow Water Reef 

Fish Fishery of 

Puerto Rico and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands

Gillnet Parrotfish, reef fish

Caribbean Mixed 

Species Trap/Pot Federal

Shallow Water Reef 

Fish Fishery of 

Puerto Rico and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands

Pots and traps, 

other

Caribbean spiny 

lobster, red snapper, 

reef fish

Caribbean Spiny 

Lobster Trap/Pot Federal

Spiny Lobster 

Fishery of Puerto 

Rico and the U.S. 

Virgin Islands 

(CFMC)

Pots and traps, 

lobster

Caribbean spiny 

lobster, reef fish

Florida, Puerto 

Rico, and the U.S. 

Virgin Islands Spiny 

Lobster Trap/Pot 

Fishery 

Federal/state d

Spiny Lobster in 

the Gulf of Mexico 

and South Atlantic 

(GMFMC/SAFMC)

Pots and traps, 

lobster

Caribbean spiny 

lobster

Gulf of Mexico 

Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Gillnet

Federal

Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Resources 

of the Gulf of Mexico 

and South Atlantic 

(GMFMC, SAFMC)

Gillnet (floating)

Cobia, king 

mackerel, Spanish 

mackerel

Gulf of Mexico 

Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Troll

Federal

Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Resources 

of the Gulf of Mexico 

and South Atlantic 

(GMFMC, SAFMC)

Troll lines

Cobia, king 

mackerel, Spanish 

mackerel

Logbook

Gulf of Mexico Reef 

Fish Bottom Longline Federal Reef Fish Resources 

of the Gulf of Mexico Longline (bottom)

Red grouper, gag 

grouper, scamp, 

tilefish

Logbook, observer 

data

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Gulf of Mexico Reef 

Fish Handline Federal Reef Fish Resources 

of the Gulf of Mexico Hand line

Red grouper, red 

snapper, vermilion 

snapper

Logbook, observer 

data

Gulf of Mexico 

Shrimp Trawl Federal

Shrimp Fishery of 

the Gulf of Mexico 

(GMFMC)

Otter trawl Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Observer data, 

stock assessment or 

publication

Large Coastal and 

Small Coastal Shark 

Aggregates (Drift, 

Strike, and Bottom 

Gillnet)

Federal

Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory 

Species

Gillnet

Atlantic sharpnose 

shark, blacktip shark, 

bonnethead shark, 

sandbar shark 

Logbook, observer 

data, stock 

assessment or 

publication

South Atlantic 

Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Troll

Federal Coastal Migratory 

Species Troll lines

Cobia, dolphinfish, 

king mackerel, 

Spanish mackerel, 

wahoo

Logbook

South Atlantic 

Snapper–Grouper 

Bottom Longline

Federal

Snapper–Grouper 

Fishery of the South 

Atlantic Region

Longline (bottom) Tilefish, snowy 

grouper Logbook

South Atlantic 

Snapper–Grouper 

Handline/ Electric 

Reel

Federal

Snapper–Grouper 

Fishery of the South 

Atlantic Region

Hand line, electric 

reel

Black sea bass, 

gag grouper, gray 

triggerfish, red 

snapper, scamp, 

yellowtail snapper, 

vermilion snapper, 

white grunt 

Logbook, observer 

data

Southeast, Atlantic, 

Black Sea Bass Pot Federal

Snapper–Grouper 

Fishery of the South 

Atlantic Region

Pots and traps 

(black sea bass) Black sea bass

Southeastern, 

Atlantic and Gulf of 

Mexico HMS Pelagic 

Longline

Federal

Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory 

Species

Longline (surface)

Bigeye tuna, 

swordfish, yellowfin 

tuna

Logbook, observer 

data

Southeastern, 

Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico Shark 

Bottom Longline

Federal

Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory 

Species

Longline (bottom)

Sandbar shark, 

blacktip shark, other 

sharks

Logbook, observer 

data, regional 

databasee

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Federal

Shrimp Fishery of 

the South Atlantic 

Region (SAFMC)

Otter trawl Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Stock assessment or 

publication, observer 

data

Southeastern, 

Atlantic, Golden 

Crab Trap/Pot

Federal

Golden Crab Fishery 

of the South Atlantic 

Region

Pots and traps 

(golden crab)

Deep-sea golden 

crab

Spearfishing for 

Tuna Federal

Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory 

Species

Spears

Bigeye, albacore, 

yellowfin, and 

skipjack tunas

Winter Fluke 

(Flounder) Trawls Federal Northeast 

Multispecies

Otter trawl (bottom), 

other trawls Flounder

North Carolina 

Coastal Gillnet Federal, state Gillnet

Striped bass, 

monkfish, spot, 

croaker, weakfish, 

mackerel

Observer data (2006 

only)

Table 4.2.1 (continued)

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Stone Crab 

Trap/Pot

Federal, state Stone Crab Fishery 

of the Gulf of Mexico

Pots and traps 

(stone crab) Florida stone crab

Caribbean Haul/

Beach Seine State Haul seines Reef fish

Florida West Coast 

Sardine Purse Seine State Purse seine, tarp 

seine Sardine

Gulf of Mexico Blue 

Crab State Pots and traps (blue 

crab) Blue crab

Gulf of Mexico 

Coastal Gillnet State Gillnet King mackerel, 

Spanish mackerel

Observer data 

(starting in 2006)

Gulf of Mexico Haul/

Beach Seine State Haul seines, other 

seines Striped mullet

Gulf of Mexico 

Marine Shrimp 

Butterfly Nets

State Butterfly nets Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Observer data 

(historic) 

Gulf of Mexico 

Marine Shrimp 

Skimmer Trawls

State Trawl (skimmer) Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Observer data 

(historic)

Gulf of Mexico 

Menhaden Purse 

Seine

State Purse seine Atlantic menhaden Observer data 

(historic)

Gulf of Mexico 

Oyster State Dredge, tongs Eastern oyster

Gulf of Mexico 

Shrimp Cast Net State Cast nets Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

North Carolina Haul/

Beach Seine–Long 

Haul

State Haul seine Atlantic croaker, 

spot, weakfish 

North Carolina 

Inshore (Bays and 

Rivers) Gillnet

State Gillnet

Striped bass, spot, 

Atlantic croaker, 

bluefish, weakfish

Observer data

North Carolina 

Pound Net (Croaker, 

Weakfish)

State Pound net Atlantic croaker, 

weakfish

North Carolina 

Southern Flounder 

Pound Net

State Pound Net Southern flounder

North Carolina Stop 

Nets State Stop net Striped mullet

South Atlantic Blue 

Crab State Pots and traps (blue 

crab) Blue crab

South Atlantic 

Coastal Gillnet State Gillnet

Atlantic croaker, 

bluefish, king 

mackerel, Spanish 

mackerel, southern 

kingfish

Logbook, observer 

data (starting in 

2006)

Table 4.2.1 (continued)

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Southeast Calico 

Scallop Trawl State Trawl Calico scallop

Southeast Fish Trawl State Otter trawl (bottom 

fish) Butterfish, squid

Southeastern, 

Atlantic, Haul/Beach 

Seine

State Haul seine Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Marine 

Shrimp Butterfly 

Nets

State Butterfly net Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Marine 

Shrimp Cast Net

State Cast net Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Menhaden State Purse seine Atlantic menhaden

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Ocean, 

Gulf of Mexico, 

Caribbean 

Shellfish Dive, 

Hand/Mechanical 

Collection

State Hand, diving gear Clams, oysters, 

spiny lobster

Southeastern, 

Atlantic Skimmer 

Trawls

State Trawl (skimmer) Brown shrimp, pink 

shrimp, white shrimp

Surface Trawl 

Jellyfish State Otter trawl (midwater) Jellyfish

a Aquaculture fisheries are listed for consistency with the Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries when they occur, but were not analyzed for the U.S. 

National Bycatch Report. Recreational fisheries are not included in this report.

b FMPs with the same name are differentiated by managing council. CFMC = Caribbean Fisheries Management Council; GMFMC = Gulf of Mexico Fisheries 

Management Council; MAFMC = Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council; SAFMC = South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council. Note that non-Federal 

FMPs were not identified through this process.

c Data sources were evaluated only for Federal fisheries and non-Federal fisheries with Federal data-collection programs.

d Management authority is shared with the State for the Florida for the Florida portion of the fishery. In areas other than Florida, NMFS maintains independent 

management of spiny lobsters in Federal waters.

e Southeast Regional Office (SERO) permits database.

Table 4.2.1 (continued)

Figure 4.2.1.

Management jurisdiction for Southeast Region 

fisheries (percentages are based on numbers 

of fisheries, not volume or revenue). “Shared” 

indicates that international, Federal, state, 

and/or tribal authorities share management.

State

54% (26)

Federal

40% (19)

Shared

6% (3)

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4.2.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns

The NMFS Southeast Region staff work closely with regional fisheries management agencies (state fishery management agencies, interstate marine fisheries commissions, 

fisheries monument councils, etc.). These partnerships have 

been central to addressing bycatch concerns in Southeast 

Region fisheries. This section discusses bycatch management measures implemented under regional FMPs. 

Coastal Gillnet Fisheries 

Bycatch of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) is 

known to occur in several Mid-Atlantic fisheries. In 2006, 

a final Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP) 

was established under the MMPA. The plan includes recommendations to increase observer coverage, especially 

in North Carolina. Mid-Atlantic coastal gillnet fisheries, including in North Carolina and Virginia, have been observed 

by the Northeast Regional observer program consistently 

since 1996, at a low level (1–5% coverage). In 2006, the 

Southeast provided funds for Northeast observer programs 

to observe for an additional 117 sea days, in order to improve estimates of bottlenose dolphin serious injury and 

mortality in Mid-Atlantic coastal gillnet fisheries. An alternative platform program was also implemented in North Carolina to further augment observer coverage and improve 

the precision and accuracy of mortality and serious injury 

estimates. Both historical observer coverage and additional 

alternative platform data are used to develop bycatch estimates for marine mammals and to evaluate the success of 

the BDTRP. Sea turtle bycatch also occurs in coastal gillnet 

fisheries, both inshore (bays and sounds) and in coastal 

waters outside of the Outer Banks. A series of ESA Section 

10 permits for the Pamlico Sound flounder gillnet fishery 

have been issued since 2000 addressing sea turtle bycatch 

through time and area closures, observer requirements, 

and gear restrictions. North Carolina Division of Marine 

Fisheries is initiating the application process for a Section 

10 permit for all of its state gillnet fisheries as a result of observer coverage showing substantial takes in other inshore 

large-mesh gillnet fisheries. 

Coastal Migratory Species

Southeast coastal migratory stocks were virtually unregulated prior to the 1980s. Technological advances, including 

the use of airplanes to locate schooling species, increased 

the industry’s ability to harvest stocks to such a degree that 

harvest by all sectors exceeded capacity, leading to overfishing. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Federal regulations 

were implemented to control harvest and rebuild stocks. 

Coastal pelagics are co-managed under the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources FMP and regulations adopted by 

the SAFMC and GMFMC. Today, fisheries targeting coastal 

pelagic species, primarily mackerels, as well as dolphinfish 

(Coryphaena hippurus) and wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi) are managed by quotas to contain harvest. For example, results from the most recent assessment for king 

mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) and Spanish mackerel 

(Scomberomorus maculatus) indicate stocks are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. Incidental harvest 

is minimal and often marketable in the commercial sector. 

Release mortality is low for regulatory discards. 

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish

The commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico is another important Southeast Region fishery. Several hundred 

participating vessels target valuable red snapper (Lutjanus 

campechanus) and other reef fish species. The GMFMC 

and NMFS took action in Amendment 18A to the Reef Fish 

FMP (effective 8 September 2006) to comply with a 2005 

ESA Biological Opinion (BiOp) requirement that any sea 

turtle or smalltooth sawfish taken in the reef fish fishery is 

handled to minimize stress to the animal and increase its 

survival probability. Regulations were implemented requiring that sea turtle release gear be onboard reef fish-permitted vessels when fishing, to facilitate the safe release 

of any sea turtles or smalltooth sawfish caught. In addition, 

vessels with commercial and for-hire reef fish vessel permits were required to possess specific documents providing 

instructions on the safe release of sea turtles or smalltooth 

sawfish incidentally caught with hook-and-line gear.

Amendment 22 to the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 

Mexico FMP, which was passed in July 2005, provided 

NMFS the authority to implement an observer program for 

the commercial and for-hire sectors of this fishery. Starting in June of 2006, observers were placed on commercial 

reef fish vessels operating primarily in the eastern Gulf of 

Mexico. During its first year of operation, the observer program focused on characterization of finfish bycatch; estimation of managed finfish discard and release mortality levels, 

including estimates for red snapper and red grouper (Epinephelus morio); and estimating levels of protected species 

bycatch (e.g., sea turtles). 

In 2007, NMFS implemented a GMFMC action to establish an individual fishing quota (IFQ) for the commercial red 

snapper fishery. While IFQs are intended to reduce derby 

fishing conditions and provide a more stable community 

benefit, they also tend to reduce bycatch and bycatch discards, as they allow fishermen to choose their own fishing 

times and target areas. This allows fishermen to better select times and locations to catch legal-size fish without the 

pressure of a derby situation.

The GMFMC has also developed Amendment 29 to the 

Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico FMP. This 

amendment outlines a system of IFQs for the multi-species 

grouper and tilefish fisheries (based on, e.g., size limits, 

bag limits, or trip limits) which could lead to a reduction in 

regulatory discards and discard mortality. Implementation 

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SOUTHEAST REGION

of this new IFQ system for the multi-species grouper and 

tilefish fisheries, scheduled for January 2010, may lead 

to allowing red snapper and grouper/tilefish fishermen to 

transfer allocations between the two IFQ systems, thus offsetting and reducing regulatory discards. Other regulations 

implemented in the reef fish fishery in 2008 require the use 

of non-stainless steel circle hooks, de-hooking devices, and 

venting tools to reduce bycatch mortalities.

Amendments 30A and 30B were developed to end overfishing of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), and gag grouper (Mycteroperca 

microlepis). Regulations in these amendments could also 

affect the magnitude of fish bycatch. Amendment 30B addresses the overfishing of gag, adjusts the allocation of gag 

and red grouper catches between recreational and commercial fisheries, and makes adjustments to the red grouper Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to reflect the current status 

of the stock, which is currently at Optimum Yield (OY) levels. In addition, the amendment considered alternatives to 

monitor and reduce bycatch and bycatch mortality in reef 

fish fisheries, and will consider expanding the number of 

marine reserves for reef fish spawning areas. 

Amendment 27 to the Reef Fish FMP and Amendment 

14 to the Shrimp FMP (jointly referred to as Amendment 

27/14) address overfishing and bycatch issues in both the 

red snapper directed fishery and the shrimp fishery. The 

amendment sets TAC for red snapper at 5.0 million pounds 

between 2008 and 2010. The amendment also reduces the 

commercial size limit to 13 inches, reduces the recreational 

bag limit to two fish, eliminates a bag limit for captain and 

crew aboard a for-hire vessel, and sets the recreational 

fishing season from 1 June through 30 September. In addition, all commercial and recreational reef fish fisheries are 

required to use non-stainless steel circle hooks when using 

natural baits, as well as venting tools and de-hooking devices. For the shrimp fishery, the amendment establishes 

a target reduction goal for juvenile red snapper mortality of 

74% of the mortality in the benchmark years of 2001–03, 

reduces that target goal to 67% beginning in 2011, and 

eventually reduces the target to 60% by 2032.

In 2010, Amendment 31 to the Reef Fish FMP was approved to reduce sea turtle bycatch in the bottom longline 

component of the reef fish fishery. The results of a recent 

SEFSC observer analysis indicate that the number of loggerhead sea turtle takes authorized in the 2005 BiOp on the 

bottom longline reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico has 

been substantially exceeded (NMFS 2008). Amendment 31 

includes actions to 1) modify fishing effort; 2) restrict fishing 

in certain areas, seasons, and depths; and 3) reduce effort 

through a longline endorsement program. This amendment 

replaces the emergency rule approved by the Gulf Council 

at their January 2009 meeting to reduce sea turtle takes in 

the short term while Amendment 31 was under development.

Pelagic Longline Fisheries

Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the Consolidated HMS FMP. Bycatch of billfish on commercial gear, 

undersized swordfish, sharks on commercial gear after a 

seasonal closure, bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) on pelagic longline gear, and protected species such as sea turtles 

and marine mammals have been a particular concern of 

HMS fisheries, including the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. Conservation measures have been implemented under 

ESA Section 7 BiOPs and proposed under marine mammal 

take reduction plans to address these concerns. 

In 2004, a BiOp found that Atlantic pelagic longline fishery 

operations jeopardized the continued existence of leatherback sea turtles in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. To mitigate this threat, reasonable and prudent alternatives were implemented to avoid jeopardy. An Incidental 

Take Statement (ITS) was issued, authorizing incidental 

take levels of 1,981 leatherback and 1,869 loggerhead sea 

turtles for a 3-year period during 2004–06. The ITS authorizes incidental take levels of 1,764 leatherback and 1,905 

loggerhead sea turtles in subsequent three-year periods. 

Fishermen are also reminded each year of the requirement 

to possess and use sea turtle release and disentanglement 

gear, and the need to comply with safe handling and release 

protocols. Pelagic longline fishermen are also required to 

use 18/0 or 16/0 circle hooks and either whole finfish or 

squid bait. In the Northeast Distant (NED) fishing area off 

the Canadian Grand Banks, fishermen are required to use 

18/0 non-offset hooks. In addition, there are permanent 

time/area closures in the Gulf of Mexico and off the east 

coast of Florida, and seasonal closures in the mid-Atlantic. 

The gear regulations are designed to reduce interactions 

with endangered and threatened sea turtles, while the closures are primarily designed to reduce interactions with 

juvenile target species and billfish. All pelagic longline fishermen are required to attend safe handling and release 

workshops, carry de-hooking equipment onboard, and 

make efforts to release hooked or entangled sea turtles and 

sawfish. A mandatory observer program collects catch and 

effort data on the U.S. pelagic longline fleet. Information is 

also collected on bycatch of protected species, including 

marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. 

Serious injury and mortality of two species of pilot whales, 

long-finned (Globicephala melas) and short-finned (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus 

griseus) is also a significant problem for the pelagic longline 

fishery. This fishery accounts for approximately 80% of the 

serious injury of long- and/or short-finned pilot whales on 

the U.S. Atlantic coast, and the estimated bycatch exceeds 

management benchmarks under the MMPA. In addition, the 

bycatch of pilot whales has been increasing in recent years, 

including the period following implementation of circle hook 

regulations. A Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (PLaI-4.2.indd 149 1/17/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TRT) was convened in June 2005 to develop a plan to reduce the bycatch of pilot whales and other marine mammals in this fishery. This plan includes both regulatory and 

non-regulatory actions to reduce bycatch (74 FR 23349, 19 

May 2009). 

The bycatch of seabirds in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline 

fishery has not been identified as a problem at this point, 

although it is a concern for pelagic longline fisheries worldwide. This issue is addressed in the U.S. National Plan of 

Action (NPOA) for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries, which was jointly developed by 

NMFS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department 

of State, and published by NMFS in February 2001. Its purpose is to outline actions that will reduce incidental catch 

of seabirds in U.S. longline fisheries, provide national guidance on reducing seabird bycatch, and encourage assessments of all U.S. longline fisheries to determine whether a 

seabird bycatch concern exists. In addition, the plan calls 

for the development of seabird BRDs for those fisheries 

identified as having a seabird bycatch concern. 

Shark Fisheries

The Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species FMP 

also outlines measures for commercial shark fisheries. On 

10 April 2008, NMFS released the Final EIS for Amendment 2 to the Consolidated HMS FMP, based on several 

stock assessments completed in 2005–06. Assessments 

for dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus) and sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus) sharks indicated that these species are 

overfished, with overfishing occurring, and that porbeagle 

sharks (Lamna nasus) are overfished. NMFS implemented management measures consistent with recent stock 

assessments for sandbar, porbeagle, dusky, and blacktip 

(Carcharhinus limbatus) sharks and the large coastal sharks 

complex. A 2008 BiOp for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

shark bottom longline fishery and the gill net fisheries (drift, 

strike, and bottom gillnet), encompassing large coastal, 

small coastal, and pelagic sharks, as managed under 

Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory 

Species FMP, found that neither fishery was likely to jeopardize the incidental take of any ESA-listed species. NMFS 

anticipated a three-year total incidental take for the Atlantic 

shark fishery of 74 leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys 

coriacea), 679 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), 

2 hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), 2 green 

sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), 2 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles 

(Lepidochelys kempii), and 52 smalltooth sawfish (Pristis 

pectinata). The final measures in Amendment 2 implement 

a shark research fishery, which allows NMFS to select a 

limited number of commercial shark vessels on an annual 

basis to collect life history data and data for future stock 

assessments. Furthermore, the revised measures affect 

quotas, retention limits, and authorized species in commercial shark fisheries; affect authorized species in recreational 

shark fisheries; modify time/area closures for commercial 

shark vessels deploying bottom longline gear; require that 

all sharks be landed with all fins naturally attached; and 

modify regions, seasons, and shark dealer reporting frequency in the commercial shark fishery. The implementing 

regulations for Amendment 2 were published on 24 June 

2008 (73 FR 35778; corrected version published 15 July 

2008; 73 FR 40658). 

Shark Bottom Longline

In an attempt to reduce bycatch of dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), juvenile sandbar shark (Carcharhinus 

plumbeus), and sea turtles, NMFS established a time/area 

closure off North Carolina from January to July (NMFS 

2006b). Since 1993, shark trip limits have also been in 

place. Trip limits were also reduced under Amendment 2 

to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. This may also alter 

fishing behavior and, in turn, impact the types and amount 

of bycatch. As in the pelagic longline fishery, shark permit 

holders are required to attend workshops and carry gear 

onboard to increase the post-hooking survival of any nontarget catch they encounter, including sea turtles and marine mammals. Other measures currently in place for the 

shark bottom longline fishery include mandatory use of logbooks to describe catch and fishing methods, and the mandatory requirement for selected vessels to carry observers 

(observer program details provided in Section 4.2.3.1). 

Shark Gillnet (drift, strike, and bottom gillnet)

The shark gillnet fishery has documented bycatch of marine mammals and sea turtles including right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates), 

Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), leatherback 

sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Regulations under the Atlantic Large 

Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) and a BiOp issued 

under Section 7 of the ESA address fishing activity occurring in the southeast U.S. and the risks this gear poses to 

North Atlantic right whales during the calving season. Shark 

gillnetters are required to follow guidelines related to the ALWTRP regulations, including but not limited to vessel monitoring systems; area closures; retrieving gear completely 

when marine mammals are sighted; observer coverage; 

mesh restrictions; and net checks every two hours. Gillnet 

fishermen must also attend workshops on safe handling and 

release of non-target catch, including protected species. 

The fishery has also been included under the BDTRP because it interacts with bottlenose dolphins. Increasingly, the 

fishery is shifting away from long-duration drift net fishing to 

shorter-duration strike nets, reducing the risk of interactions 

with marine mammals and other protected species.

South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper

Size limits, trip limits, and other management measures 

lead to regulatory discards and discard mortality in the 

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South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline/electric reel and 

bottom-longline fisheries, especially for the deepwater 

grouper complex. An observer program that monitors the 

vertical line fishery (i.e., electric reels and handlines) is currently underway (observer program details provided in Section 4.2.3.1). 

Amendment 13C to the SAFMC’s Snapper–Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region FMP placed additional restrictions on snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), tilefish 

(Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps), black sea bass (Centropristis striata), and vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens), which could increase the number of regulatory 

discards. However, actions that specified quotas and modified size and bag limits took into consideration the potential 

increase in dead discards and estimates of release mortality. In addition, the mesh size in pots was increased. This is 

expected to reduce bycatch of undersized black sea bass. 

Amendment 14 established eight Type II marine protected 

areas (MPAs), where fishing for and retention of snapper–

grouper species is prohibited, except for trolling for pelagic 

species (e.g., tuna, dolphinfish, and billfish). The intent is to 

achieve a more natural sex ratio, age, and size structure of 

snapper–grouper populations within the proposed MPAs.

Amendment 15B implemented a plan to monitor and assess 

bycatch, and established measures to minimize incidental 

take of sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. 

Amendment 16 established actions to end overfishing of 

gag and vermilion snapper, and may potentially affect the 

magnitude of bycatch by implementing new management 

measures. Other measures in Amendment 16 intended to 

reduce bycatch include requiring de-hooking devices for 

fishermen targeting snapper–grouper species with any 

hooking-type gear. Amendment 16 also includes actions that 

would reduce the magnitude of dead discards by prohibiting 

harvest and possession of all shallow-water groupers when 

catch limits for snapper–grouper species are reached. 

Amendments 17A and B (approved in December 2010) outline annual catch limits (ACLs) for the 10 species managed 

under the FMP that are experiencing overfishing, as required under the MSA. The ACLs apply to both commercial 

and recreational fisheries. Management alternatives under 

Amendments 17A and B outline accountability measures to 

ensure catch limits are not exceeded, in addition to other 

requirements to reduce bycatch. 

The SAFMC has begun developing Amendment 18 (later 

split into 18A and B), which could reduce the existing number of black sea bass pots and enhance data-collection programs, as well as other actions. The SAFMC is also in the 

early phases of development of a Limited Access Permit 

Program for various fisheries, which should reduce regulatory discards. 

Southeastern Shrimp Fisheries

While southeast Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shrimp 

stocks are not overfished, many finfish species, sea turtles, 

smalltooth sawfish, and bottlenose dolphins are caught as 

bycatch during trawling operations. Beginning in the late 

1980s, TEDs were required in various parts of the shrimp 

fishery through regulations implemented under the ESA. 

By the mid-1990s, TEDs were required in all shrimp trawls, 

with limited exceptions. It has been estimated that TEDs 

exclude 97% of the turtles caught in shrimp trawls. These 

regulations have been refined over the years to ensure that 

TED effectiveness is maximized through proper placement 

and installation, configuration (e.g., width of bar spacing), 

flotation, and more widespread use. Analyses by Epperly 

and Teas (2002) indicated that the required minimum escape opening dimensions were too small, and that as many 

as 47% of the loggerheads stranding annually along the 

Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico were too large to fit 

through existing openings. On 21 February 2003, NMFS 

published a final rule to require larger escape openings.

All Southeastern shrimp fisheries now require BRDs to reduce finfish bycatch. These requirements were implemented in 1997 under Amendment 2 to the Shrimp Fishery of the 

South Atlantic Region FMP. Similar regulations were implemented for the western Gulf of Mexico in 1998 (Amendment 9 to the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP), 

and for the eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2004 (Amendment 

10 to the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP). New 

regulations implemented in February 2008 were intended 

to improve the quality of BRDs used by the South Atlantic 

and Gulf shrimp fishery to reduce bycatch. The regulations 

provide for a consistent criterion throughout the southeast 

by which a BRD can be certified for use in the fishery. In 

addition, three new BRDs were certified for use, which are 

more efficient than the industry-standard BRDs used today. 

In fact, the current industry-standard BRDs do not meet the 

new certification criterion, and NMFS has published additional regulations decertifying these BRDs. 

Although the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Atlantic shrimp 

trawl fisheries have been observed since 1992, participation in the observer program has been voluntary. Amendment 13 to the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP 

(finalized in October 2006) and Amendment 6 to the Shrimp 

Fishery of the South Atlantic Region FMP (finalized in December 2005) established a mandatory observer program 

for Southeast shrimp fisheries. These amendments improve 

the observer program’s ability to collect catch and bycatch 

data for these fisheries (observer program details are provided in Section 4.2.3.1). 

Additional regulations implemented in 2008 are specifically 

intended to reduce fishing mortality on juvenile red snapper. The GMFMC Amendment 14, part of the joint Reef Fish 

Resources of the Gulf of Mexico FMP Amendment 27 and 

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Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP Amendment 14, 

established a target reduction goal for juvenile red snapper 

mortality of 74% of the mortality in the benchmark years of 

2001–03. It also established a framework procedure whereby the Regional Administrator can seasonally close certain 

areas to trawling if the effort reduction target is not met for 

a given year. 

In 2010, the Secretary of Commerce approved the Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1 (CE-BA 1). The 

intent of CE-BA 1 is to protect over 23,000 square miles of 

sensitive habitat, deemed coral Habitat Areas of Particular 

Concern (HAPCs) from impacts associated with bottomtending fishing practices. The coral HAPCs are located off 

the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and eastern Florida in 

waters ranging from 400 meters (1,200 feet) to 700 meters 

(2,300 feet) deep. The South Atlantic region is believed to 

contain the largest distribution of deepwater corals in the 

world, including the common Lophelia coral, largely responsible for reef mound construction in these cold water areas. 

These deep water coral areas are relatively undisturbed by 

the impacts of fishing. 

Currently, the only commercial fisheries that operate in the 

areas are the wreckfish (Polyprion americanus), golden 

crab (Chaceon fenneri), and royal red shrimp (Pleoticus robustus) fisheries. The CE-BA 1 creates “allowable gear areas” for the golden crab fishery and “shrimp fishery access 

areas” for the deepwater shrimp fishery. The establishment 

of these areas allows for the continuation of these fisheries 

in their historical fishing grounds with little or no negative 

impacts to protected deepwater coral habitat. The amendment establishes deepwater coral HAPCs, where the possession of coral species and the use of all bottom-tending 

gear is prohibited, including bottom longline; trawl (bottom 

and mid-water); dredge; pot or trap; or the use of an anchor, 

anchor and chain, or grapple and chain by all fishing vessels.

4.2.3 Data Sources

Bycatch data sources available for federally managed 

Southeast Region fisheries and those southeast U.S. state 

fisheries with Federal data-collection programs are listed in 

Table 4.2.1. Two primary Federal data sources are available for Southeast Region fisheries, observer programs 

and logbooks. 

4.2.3.1 Observer Programs

Six primary observer programs operate out of the Southeast Region (Table 4.2.2):

•	 North Carolina Coastal Gillnet Alternative Sampling Program 

•	 Pelagic Longline Observer Program

•	 Reef Fish Observer Program

•	 Shark Gillnet Observer Program

•	 Shark Bottom Longline Observer Program

•	 Shrimp Trawl Observer Program

Three programs provide adequate coverage levels: the Pelagic Longline, Shark Bottom Longline, and Shark Gillnet 

Observer Programs. Pilot/baseline coverage is provided 

for the Reef Fish Observer Program and the Shrimp Trawl 

Observer Program. In 2005, Southeast Region programs 

monitored a total of 2,657 sea days. 

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Observer Program

Amendment 22 to the GMFMC Reef Fish FMP includes a 

requirement for mandatory observer coverage of reef fish 

fisheries. In July 2006, a mandatory observer program 

was implemented for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. 

The primary gear types used by this fishery include bottom 

longline, electric reel, and hand line. Proportional sampling 

effort based on historical landings data across seasons in 

the eastern Gulf of Mexico and across seasons and gears 

in the western Gulf of Mexico is used to allocate observer 

effort. Fishery-specific data are collected by set for both 

retained and discarded fish species. The condition of fish 

when brought onboard is categorized. Non-target and 

undersized target species are processed first, recording 

length, weight, and disposition prior to release. Retained 

species are then processed, recording length and weight. 

A potential source of bias is non-compliance during the first 

year of the program. There was a substantial increase in 

compliance during 2007, primarily due to an increase in the 

number of industry participants that obtained USCG safety 

decals, as well as efforts by NMFS enforcement.

North Carolina Coastal Gillnet

The North Carolina coastal gillnet fishery encompasses the 

Pamlico Sound Gillnet Restricted Area (PSGNA), a shallow-water autumn gillnet fishery (Price 2007). The PSGNA 

observer program utilizes an alternative platform (independent boat) to observe gillnet trips within this small region of 

Pamlico Sound in North Carolina for interactions with sea 

turtles. Current North Carolina statutes prohibit the North 

Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries from providing contact information for commercial fishers to NMFS. Therefore, 

observers are unable to contact fishermen to schedule trips 

and a significant portion of the fishing community is not observed because observers are unable to locate them. The 

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Observer Program

U.S. National Bycatch 

Report Fisheries

Authority to Place 

Observers Program Duration Coverage Level

Atlantic and Gulf of 

Mexico Directed Shark 

Bottom Longline Fishery

Atlantic and Gulf of 

Mexico Shark Bottom 

Longline

MSA (50 CFR 635) 1994–present

2005: 4%

2006: 5–6%

2007: 5–6%

2008: 100% sandbar 

shark research fishery; 

4-6% non-sandbar shark 

fishery

Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, 

and Caribbean Pelagic 

Longline Fishery

Atlantic and Gulf of 

Mexico HMS Pelagic 

Longline

MMPA Cat. I (50 CFR 

229);

MSA (50 CFR 635); 

ATCA

1992–present

2005: 5–9%

2006: 5–7.5%

2007: 11%

2008: ~13%

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish 

Fishery

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish 

Bottom Longlinea

MSA (50 CFR 635) 2006–present

2005: NA

2006: <5%

2007: 1%

2008: 1% Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish 

Handline/electric reelb 

North Carolina Coastal 

Gillnet Fishery: 

Alternative Platform 

Sampling of Pamlico 

Sound Gillnet Restricted 

Area 

North Carolina Coastal 

Gillnet

MMPA Cat.I (50 CFR 

229); ESA 2006

2005: NA

2006: 8–9 %

2007-2008: NA

North Carolina inshore 

bays/rivers gillnet

Southeast and Gulf of 

Mexico Shrimp Otter 

Trawl Fisheries (including 

rock shrimp)

Atlantic Shrimp Trawlb

MSA (50 CFR 635) 1992–present

2005: <1%

2006: <5%

2007: <1%

2008: 2%

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp 

Trawlb

S. Atlantic skimmer trawl 

Southeast Shark Gillnet 

Fishery

Gulf of Mexico coastal 

gillnet 

MMPA Cat. I (50 CFR 

229);

MSA (50 CFR 635)

1993–present

2005 & 2006: 100% 

November–March;

38% April–November

2007: 39% of drift sets 

April–November, 100% 

strike sets November–

March; 20% sink–shark 

sets.

2008: 100% shark strike, 

38% shark drift, 5% shark 

and teleost sink net

Large Coastal and 

Small Coastal Shark 

Aggregates (Drift, Strike, 

and Bottom Gillnet)

South Atlantic coastal 

gillnet

a There is some observer coverage by the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation.

b This fishery was observed on a voluntary basis until 2007.

Table 4.2.2

Southeast Region Federal observer programs, fisheries observed, and coverage levels. Programs and observed fisheries 

are listed alphabetically. Observer programs that ended over 10 

years ago are not listed. 

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program has been in operation since March of 2006, but a 

lack of representative observer coverage may bias bycatch 

estimates either negatively or positively. Currently, the program’s focus is on developing a database of fishermen and 

supplementing NEFOP’s monitoring ability, to more effectively assess bottlenose dolphin bycatch and determine the 

success of the BDTRP. 

Pelagic Observer Program 

The SEFSC’s Pelagic Observer Program (POP) has monitored the southeast Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico HMS 

pelagic longline fishery since May 1992. Each year, 3–8% of 

this highly mobile fleet is observed, and since 2003 the minimum coverage has been 8%, sometimes exceeding that 

level. This fishery ranges from the Grand Banks of Canada 

south to Brazil and into the Gulf of Mexico. All sets during an observed trip are observed. Statistical and biological 

data on all species of fish brought aboard or released (dead 

or alive) and all bycatch (dead or alive), including protected 

species such as mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds, are 

collected. A possible source of bias for data collected by 

the POP is that early coverage (pre-1992) was voluntary, 

with portions of the fleet non-compliant. Although carrying 

an observer on request has been mandatory since 1992, 

compliance is not linked to permits and portions of the fleet 

may remain non-compliant and unobserved. To decrease 

this source of bias, POP staff continue to work with the industry to increase overall fleet participation and cooperation with the observer program.

Shark Gillnet Observer Program

Since 1993, an observer program has been underway to 

estimate catch and bycatch in the directed large coastal 

and small coastal shark aggregates (drift, strike, and bottom gillnet) fisheries along the southeastern U.S. Atlantic 

coast. Statistical and biological data on all species of fish 

brought aboard or released at the surface (dead or alive) 

and all bycatch (dead or alive), including protected species 

such as mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds, are collected. 

Historically, the program provided 100% observer coverage 

for drift/strike gillnet vessels during the North Atlantic right 

whale calving season (15 November to 31 March). Outside 

the North Atlantic right whale calving season (1 April to 14 

November), 38–40% observer coverage was maintained 

for drift gillnet vessels. No level of coverage was specified for other gillnet vessels. Due to the North Atlantic right 

whale coverage requirements and limited funding, observer 

coverage was limited in both time and space.

Starting in 2005, a pilot observer program was begun to 

include all vessels that have an active directed shark permit and fish with sink gillnet gear. These vessels were not 

previously subject to observer coverage because they either were targeting non-highly migratory species or were 

not fishing gillnets in a drift or strike fashion. These vessels were selected for observer coverage in an effort to 

determine their impact on shark resources when targeting 

species other than sharks. Further, in 2007 the regulations 

implementing the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 

Plan were amended to include the removal of the mandatory 100% observer coverage for drift gillnet vessels during the North Atlantic right whale calving season; but they 

now prohibit all gillnets in an expanded restricted area in 

the southeast U.S., covering an area from Cape Canaveral, 

Florida, to the North Carolina–South Carolina border, from 

15 November to 15 April. Limited exemptions are made in 

waters south of 29°N for shark strike net fishing during the 

same period, and for Spanish mackerel gillnet fishing in the 

months of December and March. Based on these regulations and on current funding levels, the shark gillnet observer program now provides year-round coverage for all 

anchored (sink, stab, and set), strike, and drift gillnet fishing 

by vessels that fish from Florida to North Carolina. There is 

some difficulty in identifying the entire universe of vessels 

as some participants fish only in state waters and do not 

carry any type of Federal permit.

Shark Bottom Longline Observer Program

Beginning in 1994, voluntary monitoring of the southeastern 

Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline 

fishery was conducted by the University of Florida’s Commercial Shark Fishery Observer Program. Starting with the 

2002 fishing season, carrying an observer upon request 

became mandatory under the HMS FMP. In June 2005, responsibility for this program was transferred to the SEFSC 

Panama City Laboratory. In addition to gear characteristics 

and other vessel information, observers record species, 

numbers, length, and disposition (kept, discarded alive, 

or discarded dead) for sharks and other species caught. 

Biological samples of sharks and other species are taken as time permits. Released sharks are tagged to track 

movement patterns and determine stock structure. A possible source of bias for data collected on the shark bottom 

longline fishery is that early coverage was voluntary, with 

portions of the fleet non-compliant. Although carrying an 

observer upon request is mandatory today, compliance is 

not linked to permits. Without this incentive, portions of the 

fleet remain non-compliant and unobserved.

Shrimp Trawl Observer Program

The Southeast Shrimp Trawl Fishery Observer Program 

has been in existence since 1987, and is administered by 

the SEFSC Galveston Laboratory. The program was originally developed to provide an economic evaluation of TEDs 

in shrimp trawls, and continues to focus on research. While 

the program has historically relied on voluntary participation, carrying an observer became mandatory in 2006, with 

implementation of the program in July 2007. All observers 

are required to collect data following the NMFS BRD evaluation sampling protocol. To further standardize the data colaI-4.2.indd 154 1/17/12 
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SOUTHEAST REGION

lected by observers, a ten- to twelve-day NMFS observer 

training program has been established. All data collected 

by fisheries observers are sent to, managed, archived, and 

analyzed by the SEFSC Galveston Laboratory. There is 

some bias in the historic observer data based on the opportunistic sampling that occurred under voluntary efforts. 

In addition, funding is limited and fluctuates annually and 

impacts observer retention and vessel participation.

4.2.3.2 Logbooks

Many of the Federal fisheries that are observed in the 

Southeast Region also have mandatory logbook programs, 

including the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico shark 

bottom longline fisheries; Gulf of Mexico reef fish bottom 

longline and hook and line fisheries; large coastal and small 

coastal shark aggregates (drift, strike, and bottom gillnet); 

South Atlantic Ocean snapper–grouper bottom longline and 

hook and line fisheries; and the HMS pelagic longline fishery. The majority of these logbook programs were initiated 

in 1986, and have continued to the present. Data collected 

include vessel name, documentation number, gear type 

used, date, time, location of beginning set/haul, average 

floatline length, hook types and size, bait and hook type 

used, species caught and/or discarded, condition (alive 

or dead), and bycatch of any protected species. In most 

cases, these data are stored in an Oracle database, with 

aggregated data available online (http://www.sefsc.noaa.

gov/commercialprograms.jsp). 

In August 2001, the SEFSC initiated the Supplementary 

Discard Data Program to address bycatch reporting in 

Southeast fisheries (Poffenberger 2003). The SEFSC developed a supplemental form that is used with the Coastal 

Fisheries Logbook Program to collect discard data as mandated by the Sustainable Fisheries Act. Commercial reef 

fish fishers are required, if selected, to report the number 

and average size of fish being discarded by species and 

the reasons for those discards (regulatory or market conditions). The bycatch data are collected using a supplemental 

form sent to a stratified random sample of the commercial 

reef fish permit holders (20% coverage). The sampling system is designed so that the 20% of fishermen selected to 

report for a given year are not selected for the next four 

years; over the course of a five-year period, 100% of reef 

fish permit holders will have been required to report in one 

of the five years.

As with most self-reported data, logbook data from the 

Southeast Region are subject to reporting bias. The degree 

of bias can often be verified through comparisons with observer data. For example, bias has been evaluated in the 

pelagic longline fishery by comparing observer data to data 

collected through the Pelagic Longline Logbook (PLL) program. The PLL is a mandatory program that requires all 

U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico fishing 

vessels with a swordfish permit to provide catch and effort 

data, as well as bycatch information on a set-by-set basis. 

The program started in October 1986 on a voluntary basis 

and became mandatory in 1992. A comparison of observer 

and logbook data for this fishery indicates that, for commercially valuable species, estimates of landed catch from 

observer data generally agree with landing statistics, which 

are reported independently from the observer data. However, observer data do indicate a tendency to under-report 

through logbooks most, but not all, catch of species with no 

commercial value (and thus not retained by the vessel). 

One issue with logbook data for the region’s several gillnet 

fisheries is that effort reported in coastal fishery logbooks 

is coded generically as “Gillnet, Other,” and therefore it is 

not possible to directly distinguish among the four types of 

gillnet sets documented by the observer program. Thus, 

extrapolation to estimate total takes of protected species 

is difficult and estimates generally have a high degree of 

uncertainty.

4.2.4 Southeast Region Bycatch 

Estimation Methods

This section presents fish, marine mammal, and other protected species bycatch estimation methods for the Southeast Region fisheries bycatch estimates included in this report. Bycatch estimation methods are discussed first for fish 

(Section 4.2.4.1), then for marine mammals (4.2.4.2), then 

for other other protected species (4.2.4.3). For some fisheries, new observer programs have generated improved 

bycatch data (e.g., Gulf of Mexico reef fish fisheries); the 

bycatch estimation methods used in this report may no longer reflect the current bycatch estimation methods being 

used in those fisheries.

A loggerhead sea turtle escapes from a net 

equipped with a turtle excluder device (TED).

Photo: NOAA

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4.2.4.1.3 Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Fishery

Species total weights and numbers were extrapolated from 

subsample weight to the total catch weight, and were based 

on one net per tow, and then extrapolated to an average of 

3.1 nets per vessel. The nets used in the analyses were 

consistent with current BRD regulations at that time. Total 

weight and number were derived by multiplying the sample 

weight (or number) of the species of interest by the total 

weight of the sampled net, divided by the subsample weight 

for that net. In the absence of a weight or number for a given 

species, the entire tow was set aside from the analysis. 

Ratio estimation and testing procedures were used for statistical analyses to determine specific catch rates. As described 

by Snedecor and Cochran (1967), the ratio estimation in equation (1) was used as the sample estimate of the mean: 

(1)

where

R = ratio estimate

Y = extrapolated kilograms for species of interest for selected 

 strata

X = hours towed for selected strata.

The estimated standard error of the estimate was calculated as

(2) 

where

 = mean of hours towed for selected strata

n = number of tows occurring in selected strata

To standardize bycatch estimates as prescribed in Evaluating Bycatch: A National Approach to Standardized Bycatch 

Monitoring Programs (NMFS 2004b), the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for selected species. The CV estimates were calculated by dividing the estimated standard 

error by the estimate of the mean for selected species.

4.2.4.1.4 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS 

Pelagic Longline Fishery

For management purposes, it is necessary to estimate the 

biomass (in numbers and weight) of the dead discards by 

this fleet. In the case of fish species, earlier studies have 

indicated that discarded catch is often inaccurately reported 

(Cramer et al. 1998). Cramer and Adams (1999) developed 

a technique to improve the estimation of fish dead discards 

by the pelagic longline fleet. This technique was revised 

4.2.4.1 Fish Discard Estimation Methods

4.2.4.1.1 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark 

Bottom Longline Fishery

Observed takes for the shark bottom longline fishery came 

from the SEFSC Panama City observer program database 

for 2005–06. A delta lognormal approach (Pennington 1983) 

was used to estimate the mean and variance of fish bycatch 

per hook per set. This method combines a binomial model 

for the total observations with a lognormal model for the 

non-zero catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) data, which were 

assumed to be log-normally distributed in this case. 

Extrapolation to estimate total takes by the fishery was 

achieved by simply multiplying by total hook effort extracted 

from the logbooks. Because the final estimate of total effort 

depends on the method used to extract total hook effort, 

a Monte Carlo simulation, consisting of randomly selecting values from a probability distribution assumed to describe the level of effort (total number of hooks/year), was 

performed to represent the variability in total effort. Effort 

was assumed to follow a uniform distribution, with upper 

and lower bounds reflecting the range of annual effort. The 

process was repeated 10,000 times, yielding means and 

confidence intervals (calculated as the 2.5th and 97.5th 

percentiles) for the sampling estimates. 

4.2.4.1.2 Southeast Large Coastal and 

Small Coastal Shark Aggregates 

(Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet)

Observed takes for the shark gillnet fishery came from the 

SEFSC Panama City observer program database. A simple 

ratio estimator (number of animals/number of observed 

sets) was used to calculate bycatch rates. Estimates were 

derived for three gear types: drift, strike, and sink gillnet. 

Extrapolation to estimate total takes by the fishery was 

achieved by simply multiplying by total effort (number of 

sets) extracted from the logbooks. Because the vast majority of gillnet sets reported in the logbooks were coded 

generically as “Gillnet, Other” it was not possible to distinguish among the three types of sets represented by the 

observer program. Thus, a Monte Carlo simulation was 

conducted, as described above (Section 4.2.4.1.1) consisting of randomly selecting values from a probability distribution assumed to describe the level of effort (total number of 

sets/year) was performed. Effort was assumed to follow a 

uniform distribution, with upper and lower bounds reflecting 

the range of annual effort for all gillnet sets. The process 

was repeated 10,000 times, yielding means and confidence 

intervals (calculated as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) for 

the sampling estimates. 

 = x

1

)1(

( )

2

n n

Y RX

X

Y

x 

R =

s(R)

aI-4.2.indd 156 1/17/12 
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SOUTHEAST REGION

and approved by the Standing Committee on Research and 

Statistics (SCRS) of the ICCAT. This technique, described 

below, is used for most pelagic longline fish bycatch estimates. 

The sole exception at this time is bluefin tuna, for which a 

somewhat different approach (described later) is used.

The estimation of fish bycatch by the U.S. pelagic longline 

fleet utilizes data from the PLL and the POP. Bycatch estimates are prepared annually for each stock, species, or 

species complex for area/quarter stratum, where the areas 

correspond to the domestic fishing areas. Because several shark species are caught in very low numbers they 

are grouped into two categories to improve the accuracy of 

the estimates. “Pelagic sharks” includes the longfin mako 

(Isurus paucus), shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), oceanic 

whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus), porbeagle (Lamna 

nasus), and unidentified pelagic sharks; while the “coastal 

sharks” category includes the bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus), blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus), sandbar 

(Carcharhinus plumbeus), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri), 

white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna), and other identified coastal sharks.

Dead discards were estimated in weight, using the estimated number of dead discards and the average weight 

(median in the case of swordfish) estimated from data collected by the POP. Observers in POP make measurements 

or estimatations of the length of dead discards, which were 

used to estimate weight. When less than 30 lengths were 

recorded for a particular area/quarter stratum, the average 

or median weight for the year was used. 

Three different cases were considered for the estimation of 

fish dead discards:

1) Area/quarter stratum with no observed sets in the POP

2) Area/quarter stratum with ten or more observed sets in 

the POP

3) Area/quarter stratum with at least one set observed but 

less than ten observed in the POP.

Case 1: In the case of area/quarter strata where no sets 

were observed, the reported number of dead discards in 

the logbook was accepted and reported. Therefore, there 

was no measure of uncertainty associated with the number 

of discards.

Case 2: Observed catch rates were estimated for those 

area/quarter strata with more than ten observed sets using catch and effort data collected by the POP. The total 

number of hooks tended and the dead discards by species 

or species group in each stratum were used to estimate 

catch rates as number/1,000 hooks. These estimated catch 

rates were then multiplied by the reported total effort in the 

PLL for each stratum to estimate catch in numbers. This approach relies on the assumption that the catch rates of the 

observed trips were representative of the catch rates of the 

entire fleet. Because the catch rates for each stratum were 

estimated from the sum of all the effort (number of hooks) 

and the catch in that particular stratum, there was no measure of uncertainty associated with them.

Case 3: GLMs were run to obtain an estimate of catch rates 

for those strata with limited observer coverage (less than 

ten observed sets): ln(catch rate) = area/quarter source.

Where “catch rate” is the number of dead discards/1,000 

hooks, “area/quarter” is a unique identifier for each area 

and quarter stratum, and “source” is PLL or POP. The GLM 

estimated catch rate was multiplied by the reported PLL effort (number of hooks) to estimate total number of discards. 

Measures of uncertainty could have been obtained for Case 

3. However, given that they could not be estimated for the 

first two cases, the measures of uncertainty associated with 

this case were not reported. 

Estimation of dead discards 

of pelagic longline bluefin tuna 

Historical estimates of dead discards in the bluefin tuna 

longline fishery were revised in preparation for the 2006 ICCAT bluefin tuna stock assessment. The revised estimates 

make use of U.S. pelagic longline observer program data, 

which comprise numbers (and lengths) of bluefin tuna dead 

discards beginning in 1992. This approach was originally 

documented in Brown (2001).

Estimates of the dead discards of bluefin tuna by the U.S. 

Atlantic pelagic longline fleet permitted to land and sell Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) were based on logbook 

reports of fishing effort levels and scientific observer records 

of catch rates from a representative sample of the fleet. Estimates were constructed using the delta lognormal method 

described by Pennington (1983), taking into account possible geographical and seasonal effects, and coefficients 

of variation were calculated. The estimates ignored information that might have been available in self-reported data 

on catch rates of bluefin tuna. Catch rate samples were 

pooled as necessary across strata to achieve a minimum 

sample size of 30 observations. Since several closed areas were implemented at the end of 2001 and beginning 

of 2002 (which likely would have altered the bluefin tuna 

discard rates), the Brown (2001) approach was modified 

slightly so that the time periods 1992–2000 and 2001–05 

were analyzed separately to preclude pooling across the 

two periods. The estimates of bluefin tuna dead discards in 

numbers were converted to weight using relevant observer 

data (if available) or comparable gear/area data.

Previously reported bluefin tuna longline dead discards 

were based upon tallies from the logbooks. However, since 

reported discard rates from the logbooks tend to be substantially lower than those reported by scientific observers, 

there was concern that discards might not be fully documented through the logbooks. However, the approach of 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

reporting logbook tallies to ICCAT was continued pending a 

review of the approach (Brown 2001). O’Brien et al. (2004) 

completed a detailed testing of model assumptions and 

validation and concluded that previous estimates in Brown 

(2001) were appropriate. 

4.2.4.1.5 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish 

Bottom Longline Fishery

Discard rates for all species except red grouper in the Gulf 

of Mexico reef fish bottom longline fishery were calculated 

from discard reports made to the SEFSC Miami coastal discard logbook program for the years 2005–06. Discard rate 

for each species was defined as the reported number of 

discards of a species per hook fished for each trip. Mean 

discard rate for each species was determined by year, 

along with between-trip CVs. 

Total effort (in hooks fished) for the fishery was calculated 

from the SEFSC Miami coastal logbook program database 

for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to estimate total discards by the fishery was accomplished by multiplying total 

hooks fished by species-specific mean discards per hook. 

Beween-year CVs of the estimated discards were also calculated for each species. In instances where a species was 

reported as discarded in only one of the two years examined, discards were estimated for the single year in which 

the species was reported discarded. Coefficients of variation of calculated discards could not be calculated for species reported from single years. 

Red grouper discards from Gulf of Mexico bottom longline 

vessels had been estimated during the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 12 red grouper assessment (McCarthy 2006a) and those results were included in 

this analysis. Initial estimates of red grouper discards from 

the Gulf of Mexico bottom longline fishery were much lower 

than those estimated from handline vessels, even though 

red grouper landings from bottom longline vessels were 

higher than handline vessel landings. The ratio of longline 

red grouper discards to pounds of red grouper landed was 

six to ten times lower than discards/landings ratios for other 

species. However, the ratio of handline red grouper discards 

to pounds landed was similar to ratios calculated for other 

species. Longline red grouper discards were estimated by 

applying the ratio of red grouper handline discards/pounds 

landed to the bottom longline red grouper landings. Data 

were stratified by areas fished (Gulf of Mexico statistical areas) and by target species (red grouper vs. targeting other 

species). Targeting was determined using the Stephens 

and MacCall (2004) approach, in which trips are categorized based upon reported species composition of the landings. The method is intended to identify trips that fished in 

locations containing red grouper habitat and therefore had 

the potential of catching (and discarding, as necessary) red 

grouper. The discards/pounds landed ratio for each stratum 

was then applied to the summed longline landings in the 

corresponding stratum to estimate the number of discards. 

Estimates were summed by year and the annual average 

was reported.

4.2.4.1.6 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Fishery

Discard rates for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish handline fishery were calculated from discard reports made to the SEFSC Miami coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook–hour 

fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was 

determined by year, along with among-trip coefficients of 

variation. 

Total effort (in hook–hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC Miami coastal logbook program 

database for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation in order to 

estimate total discards by the fishery was accomplished 

by multiplying total hook–hours fished by species-specific 

mean discards per hook–hour. Between-year coefficients 

of variation of the estimated discards were also calculated 

for each species. In instances where a species was reported as discarded in only one of the two years examined, 

discards were estimated for the single year in which the 

species was reported discarded. Coefficients of variation 

of calculated discards could not be calculated for species 

reported from single years. 

Gulf of Mexico handline vessel discards of greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, and gray triggerfish had been 

previously estimated for the SEDAR 9 assessment process 

(McCarthy 2005) and were used for the Gulf of Mexico reef 

fish handline fishery discard estimates. Estimates followed 

similar methods to those described above, with the exception that the data were stratified by year (2003 and 2004), 

discard period (January–July, August–December), and the 

number of hooks fished per handline. A GLM analysis identified the above factors as having a significant effect on discard rate. For these species, discard rate was calculated 

as discards per trip and the extrapolation to total discards 

was made by multiplying the mean discard rate per trip by 

the total trips reported within each stratum. Gray triggerfish 

data were not stratified beyond year because of sample 

size constraints.

Gag grouper handline vessel discards were also previously 

estimated for the SEDAR 10 gag grouper assessment (McCarthy 2006b) and were used for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish 

handline fishery discard estimates. Methods were similar to 

those described above for greater amberjack and vermilion snapper. A GLM was again used to identify factors that 

significantly affected discard rate. Discard rates (discards 

per trip) and total effort were calculated for each stratum. 

Estimated total discards were summed across strata.

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Red grouper handline vessel discards were estimated for 

the SEDAR 12 red grouper assessment (McCarthy 2006a) 

and were used for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish handline fishery discard estimates. Methods differed from those previously described, primarily in the way red grouper trips were 

identified. The Stephens and MacCall (2004) approach 

(described in Section 4.2.4.1.5) was used to identify trips 

with the potential of catching and discarding red grouper. 

Factors that significantly affected discard rate were again 

identified using a GLM, and the data were then stratified 

appropriately. Discard rates were calculated as discards 

per hook–hour fished and multiplied by total hook–hours 

reported to the coastal logbook program for the fishery. 

4.2.4.1.7 South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper 

Handline Fishery

Discard rates for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline fishery were calculated from discard reports made to 

the SEFSC’s coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook–hour 

fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was 

determined by year along with among-trips CVs.

Total effort (in hook–hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC’s coastal logbook program database 

for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to total discards by the 

fishery was accomplished by multiplying total hook–hours 

fished by the number of species-specific mean discards per 

hook–hour. Between-year coefficients of variation of the estimated discards were also calculated for each species. In 

instances where a species was reported as discarded in 

only one of the two years examined, discards were estimated for the single year in which the species was reported 

discarded. Coefficients of variation of calculated discards 

could not be calculated for species reported from single 

years. 

Gag grouper handline vessel discards, estimated for the 

SEDAR 10 gag grouper assessment (McCarthy 2006b), 

were used for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline 

fishery discard estimates. Methods are described in Section 4.2.4.1.6.

South Atlantic handline vessel discards of greater amberjack and red snapper were estimated for the SEDAR 15 assessment process (McCarthy 2007) and were used for the 

discard estimates for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper 

handline fishery. Methods were similar to those described 

above, with discard rate calculated from coastal discard logbook data and total effort calculated from coastal logbook 

data. A GLM was used to identify factors with significant 

effects on discard rate, and data were stratified by those 

factors. Discards were estimated by stratum (mean stratum 

discard rate multiplied by stratum total effort) and summed 

across strata within each year.

Snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi), and warsaw grouper (Epinephelus nigritus) discards for the South Atlantic handline vessel 

discard estimates were produced for the SEDAR 4 assessment process (Poffenberger 2003) and were used for the 

discard estimates of the South Atlantic snapper–grouper 

handline fishery. Data were stratified by year, area fished, 

and species targeted (defined as the species making up the 

largest percentage of the reported landings for the trip). For 

A lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris.

Photo: NMFS SEFSC Pascagoula Lab., Brandi Noble Collection

aI-4.2.indd 159 1/17/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

each year, the areas fished and target species of all trips 

that reported discards of snowy grouper, speckled hind, or 

warsaw grouper were identified. Total effort was defined as 

the total number of trips made by handline vessels within 

strata that also contained trips reporting discards. Discard 

rate was defined as number of discards per trip. Total discards were estimated by multiplying the stratum mean discard rate by the total number of trips in the stratum, then 

summing across strata.

4.2.4.1.8 Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Troll Fishery

Discard rates for the Gulf of Mexico coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery were calculated from discard reports made 

to the SEFSC Miami’s coastal discard logbook program for 

the years 2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the reported number of discards of a species per 

hook–hour fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each 

species was determined by year, along with the amongtrips coefficients of variation. 

Total effort (in hook–hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC coastal logbook program database 

for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to estimate total discards by the fishery was accomplished by multiplying total 

hook–hours fished by the number of species-specific mean 

discards per hook–hour. Among-year CVs of the estimated 

discards were also calculated for each species. In instances where a species was reported as discarded in only one 

of the two years examined, discards were estimated for the 

single year in which the species was reported discarded. 

Coefficients of variation of calculated discards could not be 

calculated for species reported from single years. 

4.2.4.1.9 South Atlantic Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Troll Fishery (includes Atlantic 

Dolphin Wahoo Fishery)

Fishing effort directed to the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery could not be differentiated from effort directed to the Atlantic dolphin wahoo fishery, based on 

the available coastal logbook and coastal discard logbook 

data. Discard estimates were confounded between those 

fisheries, and discards were estimated for the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery only.

Discard rates for the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery were calculated from discard reports made to 

the SEFSC coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook–hour 

fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was 

determined by year, along with the among trip CVs. 

Total effort (in hook–hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC coastal logbook program database 

for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to total discards by the 

fishery was accomplished by multiplying total hook–hours 

fished by species-specific mean discards per hook–hour. 

Among-year CVs of the estimated discards were also calculated for each species. In instances where a species was 

reported as discarded in only one of the two years examined, discards were estimated for the single year in which 

the species was reported discarded. Coefficients of variation of calculated discards could not be calculated for species reported from single years. 

Discards of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) from South 

Atlantic trolling vessels were estimated during SEDAR 15 

(McCarthy 2007); those estimates were used for the South 

Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery. Methods are 

described in Section 4.2.4.1.7.

4.2.4.1.10 Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery

Bycatch estimates were not available for inclusion in this 

report. The region is currently undergoing a peer review of 

fish bycatch estimates, which will be included in future editions of this report.

4.2.4.1.11 Fish Discard Estimation Methods 

for the North Carolina Inshore (Bays 

and Rivers) Gillnet Fishery

This is a state-managed fishery, so while some protected 

species bycatch estimates were developed from Federal 

observer program data, no fish discard estimates were 

available.

4.2.4.2 Marine Mammal Bycatch 

 Estimation Methods

4.2.4.2.1 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

Shark Bottom Longline Fishery

A delta lognormal-based ratio estimator method was used 

for estimating catch rates of marine mammals in the commercial directed shark bottom longline fishery. Extrapolation 

factors were based on logbook data. For a description of 

data and methods see Fairfield Walsh and Garrison (2006).

4.2.4.2.2 Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark 

Aggregates (Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet)

Several methods have been applied to estimate marine 

mammal bycatch rates in shark gillnet fisheries. Initially, a 

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SOUTHEAST REGION

delta lognormal-based ratio estimator method was used for 

estimating catch rates in drift nets only. However, a more 

recent examination of the available data, along with the 

expansion of the observer program to include other components of the fishery, resulted in the use of a simple ratio 

estimator. Bycatch rate estimates were expanded to total 

estimates using logbook-reported effort data. Estimates of 

bycatch were likely biased and highly uncertain, due to two 

factors. First, there was direct evidence of underreporting of 

fishing effort in the logbook. Second, the fishermen did not 

report the type of fishing (e.g., strike, sink, or drift) used in a 

particular set. Therefore, it was difficult to reliably attribute 

the bycatch rate of a particular set to the appropriate type 

of fishing employed. The most recent estimates of marine 

mammal bycatch are available in Garrison (2007). 

4.2.4.2.3 Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Fishery

There have been occasional documented mortalities of 

bottlenose dolphins in shrimp trawls in both the Atlantic and 

the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, depredation of catch and 

scavenging of discarded bycatch by bottlenose dolphins is 

a common occurrence. There has been recent video documentation of bottlenose dolphins feeding inside TEDs during active trawling. Because the observer program for the 

shrimp fisheries has been voluntary and research driven, 

the extent and magnitude of marine mammal bycatch is unknown. Recent changes to the observer programs should 

allow estimation of bycatch for inclusion in future editions 

of this report. 

4.2.4.2.4 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

HMS Pelagic Longline Fishery

A delta lognormal-based ratio estimator method is used for 

estimating catch rates of marine mammal species in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline fishery. For 

a description of data and methods see Garrison (2003b).

4.2.4.2.5 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish 

Bottom Longline Fishery

Bycatch estimates were not available for inclusion in this 

report. The region is currently undergoing a peer review of 

marine mammal bycatch estimates, which will be included 

in future editions of this report.

4.2.4.2.6 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Fishery

Marine mammal bycatch has not been documented in this 

fishery. No bycatch estimates were developed.

4.2.4.2.7 South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper 

Handline Fishery

Marine mammal bycatch has not been documented in this 

fishery. No bycatch estimates were developed.

4.2.4.2.8 Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Troll Fishery

Marine mammal bycatch has not been documented in this 

fishery. No bycatch estimates were developed.

4.2.4.2.9 South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic 

Troll Fishery (includes Atlantic Dolphin 

Wahoo Fishery)

Marine mammal bycatch has not been documented in this 

fishery. No bycatch estimates were developed.

4.2.4.2.10 Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery

There have been occasional documented mortalities of 

bottlenose dolphins in shrimp trawls in both the Atlantic and 

the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, depredation of catch and 

scavenging of discarded bycatch by bottlenose dolphins is 

a common occurrence. There has been recent video documentation of bottlenose dolphins feeding inside TEDs during active trawling. Because the observer program for the 

shrimp fisheries have been voluntary and research driven, 

the extent and magnitude of marine mammal bycatch is unknown. Recent changes to the observer programs should 

allow estimation of bycatch. 

4.2.4.2.11 North Carolina Inshore (Bays and 

Rivers) Gillnet Fishery

Bycatch estimates were not available for inclusion in this 

report. The region is currently undergoing a peer review of 

marine mammal bycatch estimates, which will be included 

in future editions of this report.

4.2.4.3 Other Protected Species Bycatch 

Estimation Methods

The delta estimator (Pennington 1993) is the primary method used for estimating protected species bycatch rates at 

the SEFSC. This method has been used to develop estimates of sea turtle bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries 

since 1999 (Johnson et al. 1999) through 2005 (Fairfield 

Walsh and Garrison 2006), has recently been used in estimates made for the shark drift gillnet fishery, and is being 

used in the shark bottom longline fishery. The remainder 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

of this section on the details of the method has been taken 

from Garrison (2003a). 

The mean and variance of catch rates for marine mammals 

and turtles in observed longline sets were calculated using 

a delta estimator (Pennington 1993). The unit of effort in 

this analysis is the number of hooks, consistent with methods used to estimate total catch and bycatch of finfish and 

previous analyses of protected species interactions (Johnson et al. 1999; Garrison 2003a). The delta mean bycatch 

rate for each analytical stratum t is calculated as

 (1) 

where

mt is the number of sets with observed bycatch

nt is the total number of observed sets

Lt is the mean of the log-transformed number of animals 

taken per 1000 hooks when bycatch occurred

sL

2 is the observed sample variance of the log-transformed 

bycatch rate

G is the cumulative probability function from the Poisson 

distribution given as:

(2) 

The series was computed numerically over j terms until it 

met a convergence criterion of a change in the function value of <0.0001 with additional terms j. Convergence was

generally achieved with <10 terms. The variance of the 

delta estimator is:

(3) 

When mt

 is equal to 1, the mean bycatch rate reduces to the 

simple mean rate where

(4) 

and

(5)

The Ct

 calculated above gives the mean number of animals 

killed per 1,000 hooks in the observed trips. To estimate 

total interactions, N, these rates were multiplied by the total 

number of hooks reported to the Fisheries Logbook System for each analytical stratum. The stratified estimates 

and associated variances were summed to provide annual 

estimates for each species. Approximate 95% confidence 

intervals were calculated, assuming lognormal distribution 

of total mortality as N/C and N × C for the lower and upper 

confidence bounds, respectively, where

(6)

and

(7)

where is 1.906, the z score for = 0.05.

( 2) 2

t

t

L

L

t

t

t e G s

n

m C =

t

t

t n

L C )exp( =

2

)exp( var( ) =

t

t

t n

L C . 

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

= +++ = + +

2

12 2

2 2

!

2

)32)....(3)(1(

1

2 1 12

j

j

L

t t t

j

t

j

t

L

t

t

L j

s

mmm jm

m

s

m

m sG .

= ( ) ( ) 2 22 2

1

2

1

1

var( ) 2 L

t

t

L

t

L t

t

t

t s

m

m G

n

m sG

n

m

e

n

m C t . 

= exp var(ln

1 2 var(ln += var(ln )

C z

z

N)

N) N N

aI-4.2.indd 162 1/17/12 
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SOUTHEAST REGION

4.2.4.3.1 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark 

Bottom Longline Fishery

A binomial-based and delta lognormal-based ratio estimator method was used for estimating catch rates of ESAlisted species for the commercial directed Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico shark bottom longline fishery for 2004 and 2005. 

These were estimated as annual fully stratified (area and 

season) and annual pooled, expanded using logbook data. 

The largest estimate by species was used in the report. 

For a full description of data and methods see Richards 

(2007). 

4.2.4.3.2 Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark 

Aggregates (Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet)

Several methods have been applied to estimate sea turtle 

bycatch rates in the shark gillnet fisheries. Initially, a delta 

lognormal-based ratio estimator method was used for estimating catch rates in drift nets only. However, a more recent 

examination of the available data, along with the expansion 

of the observer program to include other components of the 

fishery, resulted in the use of a simple ratio estimator. Bycatch rate estimates were expanded to total estimates using logbook-reported effort data. Estimates of bycatch were 

likely biased and were highly uncertain due to two factors. 

First, there was direct evidence of underreporting of fishing 

effort to the logbook. Second, the fishermen do not report 

the type of fishing (e.g., strike, sink, or drift) used in a particular set. Therefore, it was difficult to reliably attribute the 

bycatch rate of a reported set to the appropriate type of 

fishing employed. The most recent estimates of sea turtle 

bycatch were in Garrison (2007). 

4.2.4.3.3 Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Fishery

A ratio estimator was used for estimating catch rates of sea 

turtle species in both the Southeast Atlantic shrimp trawl 

and Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fisheries. Expansion factors were based on logbook data. The most recent estimate 

available for loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles is from 

Epperly et al. (2002), and for green and Kemp’s ridley is 

from NMFS (2002). The confidence intervals provided in 

Epperly et al. (2002) are not appropriate. For a description 

of data and methods see Epperly et al. (2002) and NMFS 

(2002). The estimates provided in both were based on catch 

rates in naked nets, i.e., nets without turtle excluder devices 

(TEDs) and were estimates of expected interactions. Because most trawls used in the shrimp fishery are required 

to use TEDs, the vast majority of the expected interactions 

never would be observed as the turtles should escape the 

trawl through the TED opening and presumably survive the 

interaction. TED designs must be certified by NMFS, based 

on specific protocols (Department of Commerce 1987; Renaud et al., 1990). Foremost among the criteria for certification is the requirement that a prospective design releases 

97% of the turtles; however, at the time many loggerheads 

and leatherbacks were too large to escape (Epperly and 

Teas, 2002). For sea turtle bycatch we report the proportion 

of the catch expected to be retained in the TED-equipped 

nets and subjected to forced submergence, not the expected total number of interactions.

4.2.4.3.4 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS 

Pelagic Longline Fishery

A delta lognormal-based ratio estimator method was used 

for estimating catch rates of ESA-listed species in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline fishery. For 

sea turtle estimate details see Fairfield Walsh and Garrison 

(2006). For sea bird estimates see Hata (2006). 

4.2.4.3.5 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom 

Longline Fishery3

Discard rates for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish bottom longline 

fishery were calculated from discard reports made to the 

SEFSC coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook fished 

for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was determined by year, along with among-trip CVs.

Total effort (in hooks fished) for the fishery was calculated 

from the SEFSC coastal logbook program database for the 

years 2005–06. Extrapolation to the total discards by the 

fishery was accomplished by multiplying total hooks fished 

by the species-specific mean discards per hook. Amongyear CVs of the estimated discards were also calculated for 

each species. In instances where a species was reported as 

discarded in only one of the two years examined, discards 

were estimated for the single year in which the species was 

reported discarded. Coefficients of variation of calculated 

discards could not be calculated for species reported from 

single years. 

4.2.4.3.6 Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Fishery

Discard rates for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish handline 

fishery were calculated from discard reports made to the 

SEFSC coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook–hour 

fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was 

determined by year, along with among-trips coefficients of 

variation. 

3 New bycatch estimation methods are discussed in SEFSC (2008).

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Total effort for the fishery (in hook–hours fished) was calculated from the SEFSC coastal logbook program database 

for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to the total discards 

by the fishery was accomplished by multiplying total hookhours fished by the species-specific mean discards per 

hook-hour. Among-year CVs of the estimated discards were 

also calculated for each species. In instances where a species was reported as discarded in only one of the two years 

examined, discards were estimated for the single year in 

which the species was reported discarded. Coefficients of 

variation of calculated discards could not be calculated for 

species reported from single years. 

4.2.4.3.7 South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper 

Handline Fishery

Discard rates for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline fishery were calculated from discard reports made to 

the SEFSC coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook-hour 

fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was 

determined by year along, with among-trip CVs.

Total effort (in hook-hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC coastal logbook program database 

for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to the total discards 

by the fishery was accomplished by multiplying total hookhours fished by the species-specific mean discards per 

hook-hour. Among-year CVs of the estimated discards were 

also calculated for each species. In instances where a species was reported as discarded in only one of the two years 

examined, discards were estimated for the single year in 

which the species was reported discarded. Coefficients of 

variation of calculated discards could not be calculated for 

species reported from single years. 

4.2.4.3.8 Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory 

 Pelagic Troll Fishery

Discard rates for the Gulf of Mexico coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery were calculated from discard reports made 

to the SEFSC coastal discard logbook program for the years 

2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the 

reported number of discards of a species per hook-hour 

fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each species was 

determined by year, along with among-trip CVs.

Total effort (in hook-hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC Miami coastal logbook program 

database for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to total discards by the fishery was accomplished by multiplying total 

hook-hours fished by the species-specific mean discards 

per hook-hour. Among-year coefficients of variation of the 

estimated discards were also calculated for each species. 

In instances where a species was reported as discarded 

in only one of the two years examined, discards were estimated for the single year in which the species was reported 

discarded. Coefficients of variation of calculated discards 

could not be calculated for species reported from single 

years. 

An observer measures a swordfish.

Photo: NMFS, SEFSC

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4.2.4.3.9 South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic 

Troll Fishery (includes Atlantic Dolphin 

Wahoo Fishery)

Fishing effort directed to the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery cannot be differentiated from effort directed to the Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo fishery with the 

available coastal logbook and coastal discard logbook data. 

Discard estimates are therefore confounded between those 

fisheries and discards were estimated for the South Atlantic 

coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery only.

Discard rates for the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery were calculated from discard reports made 

to the SEFSC, Miami’s coastal discard logbook program for 

the years 2005–06. Discard rate for each species was defined as the reported number of discards of a species per 

hook-hour fished for each trip. Mean discard rate for each 

species was determined by year, along with among-trip 

CVs.

Total effort (in hook-hours fished) for the fishery was calculated from the SEFSC Miami’s coastal logbook program 

database for the years 2005–06. Extrapolation to total discards by the fishery was accomplished by multiplying total 

hook-hours fished by the species-specific mean discards 

per hook-hour. Among-year CVs of the estimated discards 

were also calculated for each species. In instances where 

a species was reported as discarded in only one of the two 

years examined, discards were estimated for the single year 

in which the species was reported discarded. Coefficients 

of variation of calculated discards could not be calculated 

for species reported from single years. 

4.2.4.3.10 Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Fishery

A ratio estimator was used for estimating catch rates of sea 

turtle species in both the Southeast Atlantic shrimp trawl 

and Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fisheries. Expansion factors 

were based on logbook data. The most recent estimates 

available are from Epperly et al. (2002) for loggerhead and 

leatherback sea turtles and from NMFS (2002) for green 

and Kemp’s ridley. The confidence intervals provided in Epperly et al. (2002) are not appropriate. For a description 

of data and methods see Epperly et al. (2002) and NMFS 

(2002). The estimates provided in both were based on 

catch rates in naked nets, i.e., nets without turtle excluder 

devices (TEDs) and were estimates of expected interactions. Because most trawls used in the shrimp fishery are 

required to use TEDs, the vast majority of the expected interactions never would be observed as the turtles should 

escape the trawl through the TED opening and presumably 

survive the interacation. TED designs must be certified by 

NMFS, based on specific protocols (Department of Commerce 1987, 1990). Foremost among the criteria for certification is the requirement that a prospective design releases 

97% of the turtles; however, at the time many loggerheads 

and leatherbacks were too large to escape (Epperly and 

Teas, 2002). For sea turtle bycatch we report the proportion 

of the catch expected retained in the TED-equipped nets 

and subjected to forced submergence, not the expected total number of interactions.

4.2.4.3.11 North Carolina Inshore (Bays and 

Rivers) Gillnet Fishery

A ratio estimator with no measure of uncertainty was used 

for the North Carolina inshore gillnet fishery. Extrapolation 

factors were based on fishers’ reports to the North Carolina 

Division of Marine Fisheries. For details of data see Price 

(2007).

4.2.4.3.12 North Carolina Southern Flounder 

Pound Net Fishery

A delta lognormal approach (Pennington 1983) was used 

to estimate the mean and variance of sea turtle catch per 

pound per week by stratum from data collected as part of 

a relative abundance index study. Weekly estimates from 

aerial surveys of the total pounds fished by stratum were 

used to extrapolate to total bycatch by week. Estimated total catch was summed across weeks and strata to produce 

annual estimates of estimated total catch.

4.2.5  Tier Classification for Southeast

Region Fisheries

The quality of bycatch data and estimation methods were 

analyzed for 26 Southeast Region fisheries with Federal 

management authority or relevant Federal data-collection 

programs. Other data may be available for state, international, and tribal fisheries; however, these programs were 

beyond the scope of this initial report. The remaining 22 

fisheries are not federally managed and have no relevant 

Federal data-collection programs, and were therefore excluded from the analysis.

Unique tier scores were assigned to each fishery using the 

tier scoring procedures outlined in Section 3 for fish, marine mammals, and other protected species (Table 4.2.3). 

Over half of Southeast Region fisheries were classified in 

Tiers 1, 2, or 3 for fish (Figure 4.2.2A). The remaining 10 

fisheries (38%) were classified as Tier 0. Tier scores for 

marine mammals and other protected species were the 

same, with 10 fisheries (38%) scoring in tiers 1, 2, or 3, and 

the remaining 16 fisheries (62%) scoring in tier 0 (Figures 

4.2.2B and C). No fisheries in the Southeast Region were 

classified as Tier 4. 

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Fishery Name

Management 

Authority Fish Tier

Marine 

Mammal Tier

Other 

Protected 

Species Tier

Caribbean Gillnet Federal 0 0 0

Caribbean Mixed Species Trap/Pot Federal 0 0 0

Caribbean Spiny Lobster Trap/Pot Federal 0 0 0

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Gillnet Federal 1 0 0

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Federal 1 0 0

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline Federal 2 1 1

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline Federal 2 1 1

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Federal 2 2 2

Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark Aggregates (Drift, Strike, 

and Bottom Gillnet) Federal 3 3 3

South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll Federal 1 0 0

South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Bottom Longline Federal 1 0 0

South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Handline Federal 1 0 0

Southeast Atlantic Black Sea Bass Pot Federal 1 0 0

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS Pelagic Longline Federal 3 2 2

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline Federal 3 2 2

Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl Federal 2 2 2

Southeastern Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Golden Crab Trap/Pot Federal 0 0 0

Spearfishing for Tuna Federal 0 0 0

Winter Fluke (Flounder) Trawls Federal 0 0 0

Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Vigin Islands Spiny LobsterTrap/

Pot Fishery Federal, state 0 0 0

North Carolina Coastal Gillneta Federal, state 0 0 0

Southeastern Atlantic Stone Crab Trap/Pot Federal, state 0 0 0

Southeastern Atlantic Skimmer Trawls State

Caribbean Haul/Beach Seine State

Florida West Coast Sardine Purse Seine State

Table 4.2.3 

The 2005 fishery tier classifications for Southeast Region fisheries (listed 

alphabetically, first by management authority and then by fishery name). 

Shaded fisheries were evaluated for this report. Only relevant Federal 

data sources were evaluated for this report.

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Fishery Name

Management 

Authority Fish Tier

Marine 

Mammal Tier

Other 

Protected 

Species Tier

Gulf of Mexico Blue Crab State

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Gillnetb State

Gulf of Mexico Haul/Beach Seine State

Gulf of Mexico Marine Shrimp Butterfly Nets State 1 1 1

Gulf of Mexico Marine Shrimp Skimmer Trawls State 1 1 1

Gulf of Mexico Menhaden Purse Seine State 1 1 1

Gulf of Mexico Oyster State

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Cast Net State

North Carolina Haul/Beach Seine - Long Haul State

North Carolina Inshore (Bays and Rivers) Gillnet State

North Carolina Pound Net (Croaker, Weakfish) State

North Carolina Southern Flounder Pound Net State

North Carolina Stop Nets State

South Atlantic Blue Crab State

South Atlantic Coastal Gillnetb State

Southeast Calico Scallop Trawl State 0 0 0

Southeast Fish Trawl State

Southeastern Atlantic Marine Shrimp Butterfly Nets State

Southeastern Atlantic Marine Shrimp Cast Net State

Southeastern Atlantic Menhaden State

Southeastern Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean 

Shellfish Dive, Hand/Mechanical Collection State

Southeastern Atlantic, Haul/Beach Seine State

Surface Trawl Jellyfish State

a The North Carolina coastal gillnet fishery was classified as Tier 0 in all three categories because, although there is a developing observer program in place, the 

observer program is for a relatively small portion of the entire fishery and is not considered representative.

b Federal data-collection programs for these fisheries were initiated in 2006; however, since the report is based on 2005 data, these fisheries were not evaluated 

for this report.

Table 4.2.3 (continued)

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4.2.6 Southeast Region Key Stocks

Eighty-two key stocks were identified in the Southeast Region (Table 4.2.4). As in all regions, not all stocks and populations listed as key stocks have bycatch estimates. For 

example, all ESA-listed populations found in the Southeast 

Region (16) were prioritized for inclusion in the list of key 

species, regardless of whether bycatch occurs. 

Seventy-eight percent (63) of the key stocks identified in 

the Southeast were fish stocks (Figure 4.2.3). This includes 

three ESA-listed species: Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotio), shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum desotoi), and smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). 

The majority of fish stocks were added through the quantitative analysis process, as described in Section 3. Nine 

FSSI fish stocks were added through the qualitative process: bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), the South Atlantic 

stock of red drum, the Gulf of Mexico stock of cobia (Rachycentron canadum), the South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 

stock of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), Gulf and Atlantic stocks of king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla), 

Gulf and Atlantic stocks of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), and the Gulf of Mexico stock of tilefish 

(Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps). Bigeye tuna was added 

due to increased public concern over the sustainability of 

Atlantic tuna harvests, while the South Atlantic stock of red 

drum was added for regional consistency (so that all substocks of red drum would be included, as it is impossible 

to determine which substock an individual fish comes from 

in some fisheries). The remaining five stocks were added 

due to high visibility/public concern, as they support regionally important fisheries. Four stocks were removed from the 

key stocks list due to high rates of post-release survival: 

blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), and 

vermilion snapper4 (Rhomboplites aurorubens). 

The remaining 19 stocks are composed of 11 marine mammal stocks (six ESA-listed), six sea turtle populations (all 

ESA-listed), and two seabird populations (both ESA-listed). 

Five non-ESA-listed marine mammal species were added 

through the quantitative process. Both Globicephala species (long- and/or short-finned pilot whales) are included 

as key stocks; differentiating between the two species is 

difficult because they are physically similar and their ranges 

overlap, thus it is often unclear whether an individual belongs to one species or the other without detailed analysis. 

No protected species were added through the qualitative 

process. 

4 The post-release survival for vermilion rockfish differs between recreational 

(25%) and commercial fisheries (40%); this species was removed from the 

key stocks list because the report focused only on commercial fisheries. 

However, vermilion rockfish will be evaluated for inclusion as a key stock in 

future editions of this report. 

Figure 4.2.2

Southeast Region tier classifications by number and 

percentage for fisheries with Federal management or 

Federal data-collection programs for A) fish, B) marine 

mammals, and C) other protected species. Tier scores 

are for the year 2005.

A. Southeast — Fish

n = 26

Tier 1

35% (9)

Tier 2

15% (4)

Tier 3

12% (3)

Tier 0

38% (10)

C. Southeast — Other Protected Species

n = 26

Tier 0

62% (16)

Tier 1

19% (5)

Tier 2

15% (4)

Tier 3

4% (1)

B. Southeast — Marine Mammals

n = 26

 Tier 0

62% (16)

Tier 1

19% (5)

Tier 3

4% (1)

Tier 2

15% (4)

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Bigeye tuna, South Atlantic Thunnus obesus No No — rebuilding

Black grouper, South Atlantic Mycteroperca bonaci Yes Unknown

Black grouper, Gulf of Mexico Mycteroperca bonaci Unknown Undefined

Black sea bass, South Atlantic Centropristis striata Yes Yes

Blue marlin, South Atlantic Makaira nigricans Yes Yes

Blue shark, South Atlantica Prionace glauca Unknown Unknown

Bluefin tuna, West Atlantic Thunnus thynnus Yes Yes

Cobia, Gulf of Mexico Rachycentron canadum No No

Dolphinfish, South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Coryphaena hippurus No No

Dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus Yes Yes

Gag, Gulf of Mexico Mycteroperca microlepis Yes Undefined

Gag, South Atlantic Mycteroperca microlepis Yes No

Goliath grouper, South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus itajara No Unknown

Gray triggerfish, Gulf of Mexico Balistes capriscus Yes Undefined

Gray triggerfish, South Atlantic Balistes capriscus No Unknown

Greater amberjack, Gulf of Mexico Seriola dumerili Yes Yes

Greater amberjack, South Atlantic Seriola dumerili No No

Hogfish, Gulf of Mexico Lachnolaimus maximus Unknown Undefined

Hogfish, South Atlantic Lachnolaimus maximus Unknown Unknown

King mackerel, Gulf group Scomberomorus cavalla No No — rebuilding

King mackerel, Atlantic group Scomberomorus cavalla No No

Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus No Unknown

Nassau grouper, Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus striatus No Undefined

Red drum, Gulf of Mexico Sciaenops ocellatus No Undefined

Red drum, South Atlantic Sciaenops ocellatus Yes Unknown

Red grouper, Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus morio No No

Red grouper, South Atlantic Epinephelus morio Yes Unknown

Red porgy,South Atlantic Pagrus pagrus No Yes

Red snapper, Gulf of Mexico Lutjanus campechanus Yes Yes

Red snapper, South Atlantic Lutjanus campechanus Yes Unknown

Sailfish, West Atlantic Istiophorus platypterus Yes Yes

Sandbar sharka Carcharhinus plumbeus Yes Yes

Table 4.2.4

Key fish and marine mammal stocks and key sea turtle and 

seabird populations for the Southeast Region. Overfishing/

Overfished status based on First Quarter 2008 FSSI report.

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI (cont.)

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Scamp, South Atlantic Mycteroperca phenax No Unknown

Snowy grouper, Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus niveatus Unknown Undefined

Snowy grouper, South Atlantic Epinephelus niveatus Yes Yes

Spanish mackerel, Gulf Group Scomberomorus maculatus No No

Spanish mackerel, Atlantic Group Scomberomorus maculatus No No

Speckled hind, South Atlantic Epinephelus 

drummondhayi Yes Unknown

Tilefish, Gulf of Mexico Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps Yes No

Warsaw grouper, South Atlantic Epinephelus nigritus Yes Unknown

White grunt Haemulon plumieri No Unknown

White marlin, South Atlantic Tetrapturus albidus Yes Yes

Wreckfish Polyprion americanus No Unknown

Yellowedge grouper, Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus flavolimbatus Unknown Undefined

Yellowtail snapper, South Atlantic/Gulf of 

Mexico Ocyurus chrysurus No No

Large Coastal Shark Complex (key stocks 

only)

Unknown Unknown

 Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas

 Lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris

 Scalloped hammerhead, South Atlantic Sphyrna lewini

 Scalloped hammerhead, 

 South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Sphyrna lewini

 Silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis

 Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna

Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Gulf sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus 

desotoi Threatened

Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum Endangered

Smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata Endangered

Table 4.2.4 (continued)

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Key Fish Stocks Not Listed by FSSI or ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Black snapper Apsilus dentatus

Not applicable

Blackfin snapper Lutjanus buccanella

Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus

Great hammerhead, South Atlantic/Gulf of 

Mexico Sphyrna mokarran

Lane snapper Lutjanus synagris

Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis

Red drum, South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Sciaenops ocellatus

Silk snapper Lutjanus vivanus

Yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca venenosa

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Endangered

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Endangered

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered

North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis Endangered

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Endangered

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Endangered

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

ZMRG Stock statusb Common name Scientific name

Bottlenose dolphin, Western North Atlantic 

Coastal Tursiops truncatus Variable Variable

Pantropical spotted dolphin, Western North 

Atlantic Stenella attenuata 0.3 Unknown

Pilot whale, long-finned Globicephala melaena 

(melas) 24.9 Unknown

Pilot whale, short-finned Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 24.9 Unknown

Risso’s dolphin, Western North Atlantic Grampus griseus 12.9 Unknown

Table 4.2.4 (continued)

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Table 4.2.4 (continued)

Figure 4.2.3 

Number and percentage of key stocks in 

the Southeast Region by resource type 

and inclusion in FSSI. Marine 

mammals

13% (11)

Sea turtles

7% (6)

Seabirds

2% (2)

ESA fish stocks

4% (3)

FSSI fish stocks

63% (51)

Non-ESA, 

non-FSSI

fish stocks

11% (9)

Marine Mammals Sea Turtles

Seabirds ESA Fish Stocks

Fish

stocks

Breakdown of 

Fish Stocks

Key Sea Turtle Populations

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population Status

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas

Threatened

(except in Florida and the Pacific coast of Mexico, 

where the breeding populations are endangered)

Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii Endangered

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea

Threatened

(except the Pacific coast of Mexico breeding 

populations, which are endangered)

Key Seabird Populations Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population status

Cahow Pterodroma cahow Endangered

Roseate tern, northeast nesting population Sterna dougallii dougallii Endangered

Key Seabird Populations Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Bycatch concern Population status

None

a Blue sharks and sandbar sharks are part of the Large Coastal Shark Complex under the HMS FMP, but are assessed separately. b Stock status based on Waring et al. (2007).

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4.2.7 Southeast Region Bycatch Estimates

Available bycatch estimates by fishery, based on data from 

the year 2005, or the most recent year of data if 2005 data 

were not available, are presented in Appendix 4.2, Tables 

4.2.A–4.2.D. Bycatch estimates are included for five marine mammal, four sea turtle, and three seabird populations, in addition to 215 fish stocks or stock groups. For 

marine mammals and other rare-event stocks or populations, multiple years of data were used to calculate bycatch 

estimates. The timeframe of data used to calculate bycatch 

is included in Tables 4.2.A–4.2.D. Except for the North Carolina inshore (bays and rivers) gillnet fishery, bycatch estimates are averages across the years indicated. Bycatch 

estimates for the North Carolina gillnet fishery are totals for 

the years indicated. 

Fish bycatch estimates are provided for nine fisheries 

(Table 4.2.A). For the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico pelagic 

longline fishery, all fish estimates are for dead discards only. 

In some fisheries, bycatch estimates are available only for 

groups of species (e.g., bycatch estimates are provided for 

Chondrichthyes but not for individual shark and ray species 

in the Gulf of Mexico coastal migratory pelagic troll fishery) 

or for a management unit (e.g., coastal sharks). Members 

of species groups are listed in Appendix I. 

Landings for both species and fisheries are reported in 

weights. Bycatch estimates for some fisheries were derived 

from logbook programs (such as in the Gulf of Mexico reef 

fish handline fishery) where bycatch amounts are reported 

in numbers of individuals. Reliable length/weight conversions were not available for these fisheries when the estimates were developed, and it was not possible to accurately calculate bycatch ratios at the fishery or species level 

in these cases. 

Table 4.2.C lists available marine mammal bycatch estimates by fishery. Marine mammal bycatch estimates are 

provided for three fisheries. Many Southeast Region fisheries do not have reported incidences of marine mammal 

bycatch, and for those fisheries, bycatch was not estimated 

for this report (see Section 4.2.4 for fishery-specific details 

on bycatch estimation). Sea turtle bycatch estimates are 

available for ten Southeast Region fisheries, and are listed 

in Table 4.2.D. In some cases, it was not possible to identify 

the species of sea turtle; therefore bycatch estimates were 

made at a general level (e.g., for unclassified sea turtles). 

Seabird bycatch estimates are available for two fisheries. 

Available bycatch estimates for seabirds are listed in Table 

4.2.E. The most recent seabird bycatch estimates for the 

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline were included; these estimates cover five different time periods: 

all seabird bycatch in 2004, and species-specific bycatch 

in the years 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2006. The total seabird 

bycatch estimate for this fishery is based only on 2004 data 

for the pooled category of all seabirds.

4.2.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans 

for Fisheries of Focus

Bycatch data-collection and estimation improvement plans 

were developed for the following 12 Southeast Region fisheries based on available information:

•	 Gulf of Mexico coastal migratory pelagic troll

•	 Gulf of Mexico reef fish bottom longline

•	 Gulf of Mexico reef fish handline

•	 Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl

•	 Large coastal and small coastal shark aggregates (drift, 

strike, and bottom gillnet)

•	 North Carolina inshore (bays and rivers) gillnet

•	 South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll

•	 South Atlantic snapper–grouper bottom longline

•	 South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline

•	 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline

•	 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline

•	 Southeastern Atlantic shrimp trawl

4.2.8.1 Bycatch estimation improvement plans

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: Bycatch data are 

currently collected through the coastal logbook program at 

SEFSC. Under this program, 20% of vessels are selected 

to report discards. Vessels are selected using a weighted 

(by a vessel’s portion of the total effort reported from the 

fishery) random sample of all vessels with Federal permits that have reported deploying troll gear in the Gulf of 

Mexico. Estimates of total discards for the fishery are made 

by calculating a species-specific mean discard rate for the 

vessels reporting discards, and applying that rate to the calculated total effort reported from the fishery to the coastal 

logbook program. 

•	 No mechanism exists to independently verify the accuracy of the discard logbook self-reported data. 

•	 The level of compliance is impossible to estimate because fishers may submit a report of “no discards,” effectively opting out of reporting while remaining within 

reporting compliance. A number of fishers report “no discards” almost exclusively. 

•	 There have been no documented takes of marine mammals.

Recommendation: 

•	 While available data indicate that little bycatch is asaI-4.2.indd 173 1/17/12 
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sociated with this fishery, a short-term observer program 

should be implemented to confirm the amount of bycatch. 

It was recommended that data from the current discard reporting program, as well as from other observer programs 

in the region, should be used to estimate the sample size 

needed to achieve a 30% CV for estimates of the ten most 

commonly observed species. 

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline

Tier Classes: Fish= 2; Marine Mammals = 1; Other Protected Species = 1

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: Bycatch data are 

currently collected through the coastal logbook program at 

SEFSC. Under this program, 20% of vessels are selected 

to report discards. Vessels are selected using a weighted 

(by a vessel’s portion of the total effort reported from the 

fishery) random sample of all vessels with Federal permits 

that have reported deploying longline gear in the Gulf of 

Mexico. Estimates of total discards for the fishery are made 

by calculating a species-specific mean discard rate for the 

vessels reporting discards, and applying that rate to the calculated total effort reported from the fishery to the coastal 

logbook program. 

•	 No mechanism exists to independently verify the accuracy of the discard logbook self-reported data.

•	 Through a pilot project, mandatory observer coverage of 

the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery began in 2006. The 

current coverage level is less than 1%, and the current 

bycatch estimates in this report for fish, marine mammals, and other protected species bycatch rely on selfreporting.5 In addition, it is difficult to allocate effort in this 

fishery based on logbook records.

•	 The level of compliance is impossible to estimate because fishers may submit a report of “no discards,” effectively opting out of reporting while remaining within 

reporting compliance. A number of fishers report “no discards” almost exclusively. Red grouper discards reported 

from Gulf of Mexico longline vessels were believed to be 

grossly underreported during review of discard estimates 

for the SEDAR 12 red grouper assessment. The suspected underreporting, however, could not be confirmed by 

independent data. 

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that current observer program coverage levels should be increased to assess and confirm 

the amount of bycatch for the fishery. Due to the potentially high number of discards from bottom longline ves5 New sea turtle bycatch estimates are now based on the observed data 

(SEFSC 2008).

sels, improvements in discard estimates from this fishery 

should be a high priority. Data from the discard reporting 

program, as well as the pilot observer program, should 

be used to estimate the sample size needed to achieve 

a 30% CV for estimates of the ten most commonly observed species. A video monitoring program could be 

considered to enhance observer data, reduce the need 

for observers, and collect data on vessels unable to carry 

observers.

•	 It was recommended that once the enhanced observer 

program has been in place for multiple years, self-reported discard logbooks should be compared with observer 

data to attempt to define an optimal combination for estimating total discards and for monitoring catch rates. 

•	 It was the recommendation that for marine mammals and 

non- ESA-listed marine species, needed coverage should 

be estimated by species and stratum (season and area). 

The estimated observer DAS needed may be about ten 

times the current observer program coverage levels.

•	 Lastly, it was also recommended that changes to the logbook system that identify target by set would also enhance the data collected from this fishery.

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Handline

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 1; Other Proteced Species = 1

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: Bycatch data are 

currently collected through the coastal logbook program 

at SEFSC Miami. Under this program, 20% of vessels are 

selected to report discards. Vessels are selected using a 

weighted (by a vessel’s portion of the total effort reported 

from the fishery) random sample of all vessels with Federal 

permits that have reported deploying handline gear in the 

Gulf of Mexico. Estimates of total discards for the fishery 

are made by calculating a species-specific mean discard 

rate for the vessels reporting discards, and applying that 

rate to the calculated total effort reported from the fishery to 

the coastal logbook program. 

•	 A significant limitation of the current system is that the level of compliance is impossible to estimate because fishers 

may submit a report of “no discards,” effectively opting out 

of reporting while remaining within reporting compliance. 

A number of fishers report “no discards” almost exclusively. Likewise, cases of underreporting have been suspected but cannot be confirmed by independent data.

•	 Through a pilot project, mandatory observer coverage of 

the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery began in 2006. The 

current coverage level is less than 1%, and the current 

bycatch estimates for fish, marine mammals, and other 

protected species bycatch rely on self-reporting. 

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•	 It is difficult to allocate effort in this fishery based on logbook records.

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that current observer program 

coverage levels should be increased to assess and confirm the amount of bycatch for the fishery. Due to the 

potentially high number of discards from handline vessels, improvements in discard estimates from this fishery 

should be a high priority. Data from the discard reporting 

program, as well as the pilot observer program, should 

be used to estimate the sample size needed to achieve 

a 30% CV for estimates of the ten most commonly observed species. A video monitoring pilot study should be 

conducted in conjunction with the observer program, to 

determine whether electronic data can be used as a tool 

to enhance data collected by observers.

•	 It was recommended that once the enhanced observer 

program has been in place for multiple years, self-reported discard logbooks should be compared with observer 

data to attempt to define an optimal combination for estimating total discards and for monitoring catch rates. 

•	 For marine mammals and other protected marine species, it was recommended that needed coverage by species and stratum (season and area) should be estimated. 

However, the estimated DAS needed may be about ten 

times the current observer program coverage levels.

•	 It was recommended that changes to the logbook system 

to identify target by set would also enhance the data collected from this fishery. 

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Since the implementation of the shrimp trawl observer 

program in 1992 through mid-2007, sampling has been, 

for the most part, opportunistic. 

•	 While CVs are low for common species, CVs are highly 

variable for less dominant species of interest. 

•	 For other protected species, estimating the amount of 

fishing effort is problematic. 

•	 Observers are unable to observe takes because a properly operating TED expels most non-target species before 

they can be observed on the deck of the shrimp trawl.

Recommendations: 

•	 A mandatory observer program implemented in July 2007 

allows for spatially and temporally stratified random sampling, thus enhancing data-collection efforts and subsequent CPUE and variance estimates. Proposed gear and 

landing data supplied by industry may allow for further 

stratification by gear type as well as other variables of 

interest. It was recommended that data from the current 

discard reporting (logbook) program and existing observer program should be used to estimate the sample 

size needed to achieve a 30% CV for estimates of the ten 

most common bycatch species. 

•	 To improve bycatch estimates for marine mammals, it 

was recommended to develop and implement a marine 

mammal observer data form and subsequently estimate 

bycatch for marine mammals in this fishery.

•	 To improve bycatch estimates for marine mammals and 

other protected species, it was also recommended to develop a remote observer system (underwater video, etc.) 

to document takes, and to revise logbook and trip ticket 

programs. The primary purpose of the revision would be 

to better estimate effort; see Epperly et al. (2002).

Large Coastal and Small Coastal Shark Aggregates 

(Drift, Strike, and Bottom Gillnet)

Tier Classes: Fish = 3; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Proteced Species = 3

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Low observer coverage results in very sparse data in 

some strata on bycatch of marine mammal and other 

protected species. 

•	 Fishing effort has been difficult to allocate, beyond “gillnet,” from logbook records, and the logbooks are replete 

with invalid data. 

•	 Under-reporting appears to be a problem for the fishery, 

which is compounded by the fact that logbook and observer data are difficult to associate. 

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that changes to the logbook system 

to identify target by set, and specifics of gear type (i.e., 

sink, drift, strike gillnet), would enhance the data collected from this fishery and aid in extrapolation of expanded 

take estimates. 

•	 A pilot observer program began in 2005. It was recommended that observer coverage should be expanded 

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beyond the 2007 coverage levels to include all vessels 

fishing gillnets, regardless of target.

North Carolina Inshore (Bays and Rivers) Gillnet

Tier Classes: Fish = 0; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 The bycatch estimate is based solely upon the Pamlico 

Sound restricted gillnet portion of the fishery.

•	 No error or uncertainty estimates have been made for the 

bycatch estimates.

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that observer coverage is needed 

for operational portions of the fishery other than Pamlico 

Sound. 

•	 It was also recommended that error estimates should be 

made for the bycatch estimates. 

South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Troll

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

Bycatch data are currently collected through the coastal 

logbook program at SEFSC. Under this program, 20% of 

vessels are selected to report discards. Vessels are selected using a weighted (by a vessel’s portion of the total effort 

reported from the fishery) random sample of all vessels with 

Federal permits that have reported deploying troll gear in 

the South Atlantic. Estimates of total discards for the fishery 

are made by calculating a species-specific mean discard 

rate for the vessels reporting discards and applying that 

rate to the calculated total effort reported from the fishery to 

the coastal logbook program. 

•	 The available discard data cannot be partitioned into 

South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll and Atlantic 

dolphin/wahoo troll fisheries with confidence, as target 

species is not reported on the discard logbook form.

•	 No mechanism exists to independently verify the accuracy of the discard logbook self-reported data. 

•	 A further limitation of the current system is that the level 

of compliance is impossible to estimate because fishers 

may submit a report of “no discards,” effectively opting 

out of reporting while remaining within reporting compliance. A number of fishers report “no discards” almost exclusively.

•	 For marine mammals and other protected species, bycatch estimates rely on self-reporting, and fishing effort is 

difficult to allocate to different sectors of the fishery from 

logbook records.

Recommendations: 

•	 Available data indicate that little bycatch may be associated with this fishery/gear. It was recommended that a 

pilot observer program should be organized to confirm 

this. 

•	 It was recommended that observers may collect target 

species information so that data from individual fisheries (e.g., Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll versus 

Atlantic dolphin/wahoo troll) can be identified for use in 

analyses as necessary. 

•	 Another recommendation was that data from the current 

discard reporting program and other existing observer 

programs should be used to estimate the sample size 

needed to achieve a 30% CV for estimates of the ten 

most common bycatch species.

•	 It was recommended that the observer program should 

include data-collection logs for marine mammals and 

other protected species bycatch. 

•	 Lastly, it was recommended that changes to the logbook 

system to identify target by set would also enhance the 

data collected from this fishery.

South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Bottom Longline

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Proteced Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

Bycatch data are currently collected through the coastal 

logbook program at SEFSC. Under this program, 20% of 

vessels are selected to report discards. Vessels are selected using a weighted (by a vessel’s portion of the total effort reported from the fishery) random sample of all vessels 

with Federal permits that have reported deploying longline 

gear in the South Atlantic. Estimates of total discards for 

the fishery are made by calculating a species-specific mean 

discard rate for the vessels reporting discards and applying 

that rate to the calculated total effort reported by the fishery 

to the coastal logbook program. 

•	 No mechanism exists to independently verify the accuracy of the discard logbook self-reported data. 

•	 A further limitation of the current system is that the level 

of compliance is impossible to estimate because fishers 

may submit a report of “no discards,” effectively opting 

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SOUTHEAST REGION

out of reporting while remaining within reporting compliance. A number of fishers report “no discards” almost exclusively. Few discard reports have been received from 

South Atlantic longline vessels, particularly from vessels 

in the snapper–grouper fishery. No discard estimates for 

this fishery can be made due to the very small sample 

size (fewer than five trips reported in 2005–06)

•	 For marine mammals and other protected species, bycatch estimates rely on self-reporting, and fishing effort is 

difficult to allocate to different sectors of the fishery from 

logbook records.

Recommendations: 

•	 Due to the potentially high number of discards from bottom longline vessels and the near complete lack of discard data from snapper–grouper bottom longline vessels 

in the South Atlantic, it was recommended that improvements in discard estimates from this fishery should be a 

high priority. An observer program should be developed 

for this fishery/gear. Data from the discard reporting program and existing observer programs (e.g., the shark 

bottom longline observer program) should be used to 

estimate the sample size needed to achieve a 30% confidence interval for estimates of the ten most commonly 

observed species. A video monitoring pilot study could be 

conducted in conjunction with the observer program to 

determine whether electronic data can be used as a tool 

to enhance data collected by observers.

•	 Changes to the logbook system to identify target by set 

would also enhance the data collected from this fishery, 

although this may not be a feasible recommendation.

South Atlantic Snapper–Grouper Handline

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

Bycatch data are currently collected through the coastal 

logbook program at SEFSC. Under this program, 20% of 

vessels are selected to report discards. Vessels are selected using a weighted (by a vessel’s portion of the total effort reported from the fishery) random sample of all vessels 

with Federal permits that have reported deploying handline 

gear in the South Atlantic. Estimates of total discards for 

the fishery are made by calculating a species-specific mean 

discard rate for the vessels reporting discards and applying 

that rate to the calculated total effort reported by the fishery 

to the coastal logbook program. 

•	 Target species is not reported on the discard logbook 

form.

•	 No mechanism exists to independently verify the accuracy of the discard logbook self-reported data. 

•	 The level of compliance is impossible to estimate because fishers may submit a report of “no discards,” effectively opting out of reporting while remaining within 

reporting compliance. A number of fishers report “no 

discards” almost exclusively. Likewise, cases of underreporting have been suspected but cannot be confirmed 

by independent data. 

•	 For marine mammals and other protected species, bycatch estimates rely on self-reporting, and fishing effort is 

difficult to allocate to different sectors of the fishery from 

logbook records.

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended to develop an observer program 

for this fishery/gear. Due to the potentially high number 

of discards from handline vessels, improvements in discard estimates from this fishery should be a high priority. 

Data from the discard reporting program, as well as from 

other observer programs in the region, should be used to 

estimate the sample size needed to achieve a 30% confidence interval for estimates of the ten most commonly 

observed species. A video monitoring pilot study could 

be conducted in conjunction with an observer program to 

determine whether electronic data can be used as a tool 

to enhance data collected by observers.

•	 It was recommended that once the enhanced observer 

program has been in place for multiple years, self-reported discard logs could be compared with observer data to 

attempt to define an optimal combination for estimating 

total discards and for monitoring catch rates. 

•	 It was recommended that data should be collected on 

bycatch of marine mammals and other protected species 

in addition to fish discards. 

•	 Changes to the logbook system to identify target by set 

would also enhance the data collected from this fishery, 

although this may not be a feasible recommendation.

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS Pelagic Longline

Tier Classes: Fish = 3; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 While coverage for fish species is high, for rare-event 

species (marine mammals and other protected species) 

current observer coverage levels are insufficient, resulting in very sparse data. 

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•	 Logbook and observer data are difficult to associate, 

which prevents error checking.

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that observer coverage for this fishery should be increased to improve protected species 

bycatch estimates. The amount of increased coverage 

needed should be estimated by species and stratum (season and area). The resulting DAS needed may be about 

ten times the current observer program coverage level 

(the Pelagic Longline TRT recommends 12–15% coverage in the Mid-Atlantic Bight to adequately estimate longand/or short-finned pilot whale bycatch, for example). 

•	 It was also recommended that observer databases be 

merged and the coastal logbook system be altered to 

identify target by set, although this may not be feasible. 

•	 Lastly, it was recommended that data quality may also be 

improved by instructing fishers to report to one logbook 

program (either coastal or pelagic logbook program) and 

by correlating the logbook and observer databases.

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline

Tier Score: Fish = 3; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected 

Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 For marine mammals and other protected species, sparse 

data are a problem in some strata. 

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that observer coverage should be 

increased to achieve a 30% CV for bycatch estimates for 

nearly all strata. 

•	 In addition, correlating observer and logbook databases 

was also recommended. 

Southeastern Atlantic Shrimp Trawl

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

Since the implementation of the shrimp trawl observer 

program in 1992 through mid-2007, sampling was, for the 

most part, opportunistic. A mandatory observer program 

implemented in July 2007 allows for random sampling that 

is spatially and temporally stratified, thus enhancing datacollection efforts and subsequent CPUE and variance estimates.

•	 While CVs are low for dominant species, CVs are highly 

variable for less dominant species of interest. 

•	 For other protected species, estimating the amount of 

fishing effort is problematic. 

•	 Observers are unable to record sea turtle takes because 

a properly operating TED expels most takes before an 

observer can see them on the deck of the shrimp vessel. 

Recommendations: 

•	 Proposed gear and landing data supplied by industry 

may allow for further stratification by gear type as well 

as by other variables of interest. It was recommended 

that data from the current discard reporting program (logbook) and existing observer program should be used to 

estimate the sample size needed to achieve a 30% confidence interval for estimates of the ten most commonly 

discarded species. 

•	 To improve bycatch estimates for marine mammals, it 

was recommended to develop and implement a marine 

mammal observer data form and subsequently to estimate bycatch for marine mammals in this fishery.

•	 To improve bycatch estimates for marine mammals 

and other protected species, development of a remote 

observer system (underwater video, etc.) to document 

takes, and revision of the logbook and trip ticket programs were recommended. The primary purpose of the 

revision would be to better estimate effort; see Epperly 

et al. (2002).

4.2.8.2  Summary of Southeast Region

Recommendations 

Table 4.2.5 outlines recommendations by the Southeast 

Region for improvement to bycatch data collection and 

estimation. A total of 15 recommendations were made to 

improve bycatch data collection and estimation for Federal 

fisheries and fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection 

programs, with resource requirements for implementation 

totaling seven full-time staff members and approximately 

17,500 observer DAS (Table 4.2.5). The feasibility of recommendations was evaluated by the Southeast Regional 

team based on overall needs, available resources, and external factors. Observer program funding for the Southeast 

Region was approximately $6.538 in FY 2008. Enhancements to existing programs and implementing new pilot observer programs are recommended in addition to current 

program requirements. 

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Recommendation a Additional DAS b Feasibility

Change logbook system to identify target by set for multiple fisheries. NA Low

Develop a pilot observer program, including determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% CV 

for the ten most commonly discarded species, for the Gulf of Mexico coastal pelagic troll fishery. 416 Moderate

Maintain and refine observer program, including determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% 

CV for the ten most commonly discarded species, for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish bottom longline 

fishery.

1,667 High

Maintain and refine current Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl observer program. 5,000 High

Develop remote observer program (underwater video, etc.) to document takes in Gulf of Mexico shrimp 

trawl fishery. 416 Low

Revise logbook and trip ticket programs to better estimate effort in Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery. NA Low

Increase observer coverage for the large coastal and small coastal shark aggregate (drift, strike, and 

bottom gillnet) fishery. 540 High

Correlate fishery observer and logbook databases for the large coastal and small coastal shark 

aggregate (drift, strike, and bottom gillnet) fisheries. NA High (currently being 

worked on)

Expand North Carolina inshore (bays and rivers) gillnet observer program to cover any additional open 

components of the fishery. 250 High

Develop a pilot observer program, including determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% CV 

for the ten most commonly discarded species, for the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic troll 

fishery.

1,600 Moderate

Increase observer coverage for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline fishery to achieve 

a 30% CV in all strata. 3,500 Moderate

Instruct Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline fishers to report to one logbook. NA Low

Relate Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline fishery observer and logbook databases. NA High (currently being 

worked on)

Develop a pilot observer program; including determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% CV 

for the ten most commonly discarded species, for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper bottom longline 

fishery.

1,600 High

Develop a pilot observer program, including determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% CV 

for the ten most commonly discarded species, for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline fishery. 1,600 High

Maintain and refine the current Southeastern Atlantic shrimp trawl observer program. 833 High

Develop pilot programs to test the use of electronic video monitoring on reef fish vessels in the Gulf of 

Mexico and South Atlantic to augment data collected by observers. 120 High (currently being 

worked on)

Number of new full-time staff needed to implement all data quality and estimation method 

improvements recommended by the Southeast Region: 7

Total DAS requirement for all recommendations*: 17,542

* This amount is in addition to the annual requirements of the Southeast region observer programs. a Some recommendations may require additional resource expenditures, such as equipment, which are not itemized. b One observer DAS includes the cost for the observer deployment as well as costs for associated equipment and program administrative functions (staffing). 

Table 4.2.5

Summary of Southeast Region recommendations in terms of full-time 

staff and observer DAS. All requirements are annual unless otherwise 

indicated. For further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8.

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Subtable 4.2.A.1

GULF OF MEXICO 

COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC TROLL

Common Name Scientific Name

Data

Source Bycatch Unit CV

Black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci 2006 18.17 Individuals

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus 2005 101.59 Individuals

Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sarda 2005 134.28 Individuals

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondrichthyes 2005–06 86.25 Individuals 65.60

Cobia Rachycentron canadum 2005–06 19.49 Individuals 70.38

Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 2005–06 23.07 Individuals 89.23

Hammerhead sharks* Sphyrnida 2005 14.69 Individuals

Ladyfish Elops saurus 2005 1,057.48 Individuals

Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus 2005 251.49 Individuals

Mackerels* Scomberomorus spp. 2005–06 584.27 Individuals 18.62

Red snapper Lutjanus campechanus 2006 2,034.70 Individuals

Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus 2006 8.52 Individuals

Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 2005–06 178.3 Individuals 78.25

Tarpon Megalops atlanticus 2006 9.08 Individuals

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares 2006 17.03 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 4,538.41 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 291,107.20 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

Subtable 4.2.A.2 GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Amberjacks and yellowtails* Seriola spp. 2005–06 1,819.86 Individuals 116.68

Atlantic angel shark Squatina dumeril 2005 25.94 Individuals

Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 2005 1,037.42 Individuals

Barracudas* Sphyraenidae 2005 691.62 Individuals

Black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci 2005–06 132.52 Individuals 80.69

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus 2006 90.06 Individuals

Appendix 4.2 Southeast Region Bycatch Estimates

Table 4.2.A 

Subtables showing annual fish bycatch estimates and CVs (where available) for Southeast Region fisheries. In some 

fisheries (indicated with *), bycatch estimates were available only for a generalized stock group. Bycatch estimates 

are in live pounds or number of individuals, except where indicated, and reflect the average from the years identified. 

Key stocks are shaded. Fishery bycatch ratios = bycatch / (bycatch + landings). Some bycatch ratios (marked **) 

could not be developed, e.g., where bycatch was by weight and number of individuals, landings in pounds. 

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(continuation of Subtable 4.2.A.2) GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Blowfish* Tetraodontidae 2006 144.09 Individuals

Bluntnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus 2006 3,896.69 Individuals

Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 2005 62.25 Individuals

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondrichthyes 2005 1,242.64 Individuals

Conger eel Conger oceanicus 2005 52,167.60 Individuals

Dogfish sharks* Squalidae 2005–06 7,880.27 Individuals 39.99

Dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus 2006 798.48 Individuals

Finfishes, unclassified, general 2005 5,532.93 Individuals

Flatfishes* Pleuronectiformes 2006 108.07 Individuals

Gag Mycteroperca microlepis 2005–06 610.11 Individuals 54.65

Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara 2005–06 475.51 Individuals 80.33

Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili 2005–06 955.03 Individuals

Hakes* Urophycis spp. 2005–06 47,348.96 Individuals 56.70

Hammerhead sharks* Sphyrnidae 2005–06 730.39 Individuals 129.37

Moray eels* Muraenidae 2005–06 8,460.36 Individuals 140.12

Nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum 2005–06 264.17 Individuals 45.00

Red grouper Epinephelus morio 2004–05 582,118.00 Individuals 3.01

Red snapper Lutjanus campechanus 2005–06 7,619.03 Individuals 113.87

Sand tiger shark Carcharhinus taurus 2006 171.54 Individuals

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005–06 304.38 Individuals 99.58

Scamp Mycteroperca phenax 2005–06 383.16 Individuals 126.97

Sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus 2005–06 339.4 Individuals 118.37

Skates* Rajidae 2005–06 114.28 Individuals 74.56

Snowy grouper Epinephelus niveatus 2005 248.98 Individuals

Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna 2005–06 6,790.15 Individuals 47.64

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005–06 15,870.78 Individuals 47.03

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 2006 567.77 Individuals

Thornback Platyrhinoidis triseriata 2006 1,091.07 Individuals

True eels* Anguilliformes 2005–06 25,701.52 Individuals 91.37

Vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens 2006 198.94 Individuals

Warsaw grouper Epinephelus nigritus 2006 18.42 Individuals

Worm eels and snake eels* Ophichthidae 2006 20,452.49 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 796,464.88 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 6,437,581.26 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.2.A.3 GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Almaco jack Seriola rivoliana 2005–06 923.22 Individuals 130.71

Amberjacks and yellowtails* Seriola spp. 2005–06 52,472.86 Individuals 61.36

Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 2005 1,431.49 Individuals

Bar Jack Caranx ruber 2005–06 1,431.90 Individuals 119.06

Barracudas Sphyraenidae 2005–06 1,263.59 Individuals 141.11

Black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci 2005–06 57,221.01 Individuals 103.86

Black snapper Apsilus dentatus 2005 9.7 Individuals

Blackfin snapper Lutjanus buccanella 2005 301.9 Individuals

Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus 2005 925.6 Individuals

Blacknose shark Carcharhinus acronotus 2006 1,280.64 Individuals

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus 2005–06 5,780.98 Individuals 39.01

Blowfish* Tetraodontidae 2005–06 171.62 Individuals 125.12

Blue runner Caranx crysos 2005–06 2,211.31 Individuals 48.33

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005–06 34,983.06 Individuals

Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sarda 2005–06 3,410.42 Individuals 113.02

Bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo 2005–06 2,041.10 Individuals 140.97

Breams and porgies* Sparidae 2005–06 220.35 Individuals 135.38

Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 2005–06 1,052.21 Individuals 102.04

Caribbean red snapper Lutjanus purpureus 2005–06 19.54 Individuals

Caribbean sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon porosus 2005–06 1,770.08 Individuals 102.65

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondrichthyes 2005–06 39,863.02 Individuals 3.26

Cobia Rachycentron canadum 2005–06 2,716.21 Individuals 101.42

Crimson rover Erythrocles monodi 2005–06 6,091.85 Individuals

Cutlassfish, Atlantic Trichiurus lepturus 2005–06 242.6 Individuals

Dogfish sharks* Squalidae 2006 65.48 Individuals

Dolphinfish* Coryphaena spp. 2005–06 1,217.12 Individuals 90.35

Dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus 2005 1,940.77 Individuals

Finfishes, unclassified, general 2005–06 15,494.12 Individuals 56.77

Flatfishes* Pleuronectiformes 2005 776.31 Individuals

Gag Mycteroperca microlepis 2003–04 79,505.00 Individuals 47.99

Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara 2005–06 2,823.58 Individuals 74.60

Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus 2005–06 15,345.26 Individuals 130.79

Gray triggerfish Balistes capriscus 2003–04 1,250.00 Individuals 5.43

Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili 2003–04 259,209.00 Individuals 13.32

Groupers and sea basses* Serranidae 2005–06 10,927.15 Individuals 138.03

Grunts* Haemulidae 2005–06 11,298.97 Individuals 99.24

Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus 2005 161.73 Individuals

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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SOUTHEAST REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.2.A.3) GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Knobbed porgy Calamus nodosus 2005–06 99.97 Individuals 124.26

Lane snapper Lutjanus synagris 2005 2,177.97 Individuals

Lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris 2005–06 557.1 Individuals 42.89

Lesser amberjack Seriola fasciata 2005–06 1,621.13 Individuals 133.57

Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus 2005–06 250.73 Individuals 26.99

Mackerels* Scomberomorus spp. 2005–06 2,236.41 Individuals 4.90

Mako sharks* Isurus spp. 2005 278.18 Individuals

Marlins and spearfishes* Tetrapturus spp. 2005 1,035.07 Individuals

Moray eels* Muraenidae 2005–06 924.45 Individuals 30.61

Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis 2005–06 2,609.02 Individuals 99.33

Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus 2005 258.77 Individuals

Nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum 2005–06 1,390.14 Individuals 23.97

Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 2005–06 1,470.63 Individuals 110.68

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus 2005–06 46,185.41 Individuals 121.66

Red grouper Epinephelus morio 2004–05 273,665.50 Individuals 8.91

Red hind Epinephelus guttatus 2005 323.46 Individuals

Red porgy Pagrus pagrus 2005–06 6,194.17 Individuals 18.78

Red snapper Lutjanus campechanus 2005–06 1,701,727.37 Individuals 4.07

Remora Remora spp. 2005–06 13,798.67 Individuals 69.31

Rock hind Epinephelus adscensionis 2005 631.12 Individuals

Rock sea bass Centropristis philadelphica 2005–06 3,728.00 Individuals 108.7

Sand seatrout Cynoscion arenarius 2005 3,881.53 Individuals

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005–06 4,114.70 Individuals 14.52

Scamp Mycteroperca phenax 2005–06 33,465.70 Individuals 45.38

Sea catfishes* Ariidae 2005 646.92 Individuals

Sea chubs* Kyphosidae 2005 3,881.53 Individuals

Snappers* Lutjanidae 2005–06 20,341.62 Individuals 34.35

Snowy grouper Epinephelus niveatus 2005–06 875.93 Individuals 1.96

Spadefishes* Ephippidae 2005 11,256.44 Individuals

Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 2005–06 57,757.58 Individuals 17.87

Speckled hind Epinephelus drummondhayi 2005–06 899.66 Individuals 92.29

Thresher sharks* Alopias spp. 2005 161.73 Individuals

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier 2006 656.41 Individuals

Tilefish* Malacanthidae 2006 317.46 Individuals

Toad fishes* Batrachoididae 2005 539.1 Individuals

Triggerfishes* Balistidae 2005–06 43,256.37 Individuals 122.34

Vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens 2003–04 54,924.50 Individuals 42.34

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.2.A.3) GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Warsaw grouper Epinephelus nigritus 2005–06 2,917.42 Individuals 36.08

White grunt Haemulon plumieri 2005 6,469.22 Individuals

Whitebone porgy Calamus leucosteus 2005 1,186.02 Individuals

Yellowedge grouper Epinephelus flavolimbatus 2005–06 1,795.30 Individuals 27.96

Yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca venenosa 2005 618.45 Individuals

Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus 2005–06 280,020.06 Individuals 31.29

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3,211,582.76 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 11,048,862.55 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

Subtable 4.2.A.4 GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP TRAWLa

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Black drum, Gulf of Mexico Pogonias cromis 2005 106,072.93 Pounds 14.0

Cobia, Gulf of Mexico Rachycentron canadum 2005 36,582.98 Pounds 27.6

Croaker, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Micropogonias undulatus 2005 107,109,953.67 Pounds 1.7

Grouped finfish other than listed, Gulf 

of Mexico 2005 321,715,655.17 Pounds 0.8

Grouped sharks, Gulf of Mexico 2005 5,751,271.68 Pounds 4.5

King mackerel, Gulf group Scomberomorus cavalla 2005 380,397.44 Pounds 6.2

Lane snapper, Gulf of Mexico Lutjanus synagris 2005 1,623,481.71 Pounds 11.3

Longspine porgy, Gulf of Mexico Stenotomus caprinus 2005 61,490,961.63 Pounds 1.9

Non-crustacean invertebrates, Gulf of 

Mexico 2005 26,997,043.37 Pounds 2.6

Non-Penaeid shrimp crustacean, Gulf 

of Mexico 2005 88,179,006.92 Pounds 1.4

Other snapper spp., Gulf of Mexico* 2005 784,083.29 Pounds 12.1

Red drum, Gulf of Mexico Sciaenops ocellatus 2005 405,795.32 Pounds 12.7

Red snapper, Gulf of Mexico Lutjanus campechanus 2005 2,569,676.96 Pounds 2.8

Seatrout and weakfish, Gulf of Mexico* Cynoscion spp. 2005 58,720,836.76 Pounds 1.8

Southern flounder, Gulf of Mexico Paralichthys lethostigma 2005 1,306,782.10 Pounds 4.1

Spanish mackerel, Gulf group Scomberomorus maculatus 2005 3,560,615.21 Pounds 4.3

Vermilion snapper, Gulf of Mexico Rhomboplites aurorubens 2005 300,909.20 Pounds 4.9

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 681,019,126.33 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 213,534,624.70 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 894,553,751.03 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 0.76

Table 4.2.A (continued)

a Bycatch estimate for the offshore portion of the fishery only (COLREGS line [beach] out to 50 fathoms).

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.2.A.5

LARGE COASTAL AND SMALL COASTAL 

SHARK AGGREGATES (DRIFT, STRIKE, 

AND BOTTOM GILLNET)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Atlantic bumper, South Atlantic Chloroscombrus chrysurus 2005 459.2 Individuals 0.05

Atlantic manta, South Atlantic Manta birostris 2001–05 2.80 Individuals 1.48

Atlantic menhaden, South Atlantic Brevoortia tyrannus 2005 41.64 Individuals 0.58

Atlantic moonfish, South Atlantic Selene setapinnis 2000–05 14.39 Individuals

Atlantic sharpnose shark, South Atlantic Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 2005 4,690.48 Individuals 0.03

Atlantic spadefish, South Atlantic Chaetodipterus faber 2005 16.62 Individuals 1.46

Banded drum, South Atlantic Larimus fasciatus 2005 390.29 Individuals 394.86

Black sea bass, South Atlantic Centropristis striata 2005 10.04 Individuals 2.41

Blacktip shark, South Atlantic Carcharhinus limbatus 2005 292.36 Individuals 0.08

Bluefish, South Atlantic Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 70.31 Individuals 0.34

Bonnethead shark, South Atlantic Sphyrna tiburo 2005 567.33 Individuals 0.04

Cobia, South Atlantic Rachycentron canadum 2000–05 12.45 Individuals

Cownose ray, South Atlantic Rhinoptera bonasus 2001 22.19 Individuals 1.63

Crevalle jack, South Atlantic Caranx hippos 2000–05 4.46 Individuals

Gafftopsail catfish, South Atlantic Bagre marinus 2005 16.31 Individuals 1.48

King mackerel, Atlantic Group Scomberomorus cavalla 2005 273.01 Individuals 0.58

Little Tunny, South Atlantic Euthynnus alletteratus 2000–05 48.43 Individuals

Red drum, South Atlantic Sciaenops ocellatus 2001–05 3.80 Individuals 2.09

Sailfish, West Atlantic Istiophorus platypterus 2000–05 22.32 Individuals

Scalloped hammerhead shark, South Atlantic Sphyrna lewini 2005 139.47 Individuals 1.09

Silver seatrout, South Atlantic Cynoscion nothus 2005 166.97 Individuals 0.14

Spinner shark, South Atlantic Carcharhinus brevipinna 2005 8.18 Individuals 18.63

Spot, South Atlantic Leiostomus xanthurus 2005 26.89 Individuals 5.67

Spotted eagle ray, South Atlantic Aetobatus narinari 2001–05 4.00 Individuals 2.23

Tarpon, South Atlantic Megalops atlanticus 2001–05 6.84 Individuals 2.23

Tiger shark, South Atlantic Galeocerdo cuvier 2005 7.24 Individuals 21.05

Yellowfin menhaden, South Atlantic Brevoortia smithi 2005 224.04 Individuals 0.68

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 7,542.06 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 782,523.75 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.2.A.6

SOUTH ATLANTIC COASTAL 

MIGRATORY PELAGIC TROLLb

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Almaco jack Seriola rivoliana 2005–06 110.8 Individuals 67.63

Amberjacks and yellowtails* Seriola spp. 2005–06 39.24 Individuals 43.05

Barracudas* Sphyraenidae 2005–06 65.32 Individuals 65.43

Black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci 2005–06 87.02 Individuals 58.23

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005 136.5 Individuals

Blue runner Caranx crysos 2005 27.3 Individuals

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005–06 327.48 Individuals 139.46

Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sarda 2005–06 240.22 Individuals 7.49

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondrichthyes 2005–06 1,131.00 Individuals 128.54

Cobia Rachycentron canadum 2005–06 27.93 Individuals 15.95

Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 2005 13.65 Individuals

Dolphinfish* Coryphaena spp. 2005–06 1,173.00 Individuals 37.19

Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili 2005–06 520.00 Individuals 3.54

Hammerhead sharks* Sphyrnidae 2005–06 6.15 Individuals 36.74

Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus 2005–06 516.68 Individuals 41.03

Mackerels* Scomberomorus spp 2005–06 3,210.90 Individuals 61.62

Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis 2005–06 12.85 Individuals 8.83

Red grouper Epinephelus morio 2005–06 81.09 Individuals 120.42

Remora Remora spp. 2005 31.41 Individuals 36.82

Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus 2005 32.76 Individuals

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005 46.07 Individuals

Scamp Mycteroperca phenax 2005–06 40.65 Individuals

Skipjack tuna Euthynnus pelamis 2005–06 71.72 Individuals 53.33

Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 2005–06 510.06 Individuals 91.33

Triggerfishes* Balistidae 2005 13.65 Individuals

Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis 2005 13.65 Individuals

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares 2005–06 82.64 Individuals 70.90

Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus 2005 204.74 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 8,774.48 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS c 985,790 Individuals

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

b Data are from logbook report; species identifications were not verified. 

c Coastal migratory pelagic troll landings for 2005–06.

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.2.A.7 SOUTH ATLANTIC SNAPPER-GROUPER HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Almaco jack Seriola rivoliana 2005–06 95.69 Individuals 89.06

Amberjacks and yellowtails* Seriola spp. 2005–06 11,111.49 Individuals 51.79

Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 2005–06 7,202.64 Individuals 131.42

Ballyhoo Hemiramphus brasiliensis 2005 2,995.56 Individuals

Banded rudderfish Seriola zonata 2005 246.17 Individuals

Bank sea bass Centropristis ocyurus 2005 750.81 Individuals

Bar jack Caranx ruber 2005–06 81.62 Individuals 71.85

Barracudas* Sphyraenidae 2005–06 5,626.01 Individuals 140.02

Barrelfish Hyperoglyphe perciformis 2005 13.85 Individuals

Black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci 2005–06 14,149.21 Individuals 69.59

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 2005–06 14,646.93 Individuals 9.69

Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus 2005–06 26.45 Individuals 95.49

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus 2005–06 2,500.27 Individuals 118.56

Blowfish* Tetraodontidae 2005–06 206.20 Individuals 95.70

Blue runner Caranx crysos 2005–06 5,109.27 Individuals 30.12

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2005 402.54 Individuals

Blueline tilefish Caulolatilus microps 2005 35.39 Individuals

Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sarda 2005 5,780.71 Individuals

Bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo 2005–06 455.59 Individuals 88.06

Breams and porgies* Sparidae 2005–06 571.86 Individuals 133.48

Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 2005 34.62 Individuals

Butterflyfishes* Chaetodontidae 2005 1,592.40 Individuals

Caribbean reef shark Carcharhinus perezii 2005 72.43 Individuals

Caribbean sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon porosus 2005–06 743.50 Individuals 48.38

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondrichthyes 2005–06 10,608.82 Individuals 103.74

Cobia Rachycentron canadum 2005–06 333.62 Individuals 118.73

Conger eel Conger oceanicus 2005 34.62 Individuals

Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 2005–06 274.10 Individuals 128.47

Dolphinfish* Coryphaena spp. 2005–06 2,360.01 Individuals 25.39

Finfishes, unclassified, general 2005–06 1,439.45 Individuals 131.56

Flatfishes* Pleuronectiformes 2005 92.31 Individuals

French grunt Haemulon flavolineatum 2006 133.83 Individuals

Gag Mycteroperca microlepis 2003–04 6,151.00 Individuals 24.16

Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara 2005–06 471.89 Individuals 104.25

Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus 2005–06 29,825.90 Individuals 92.99

Gray triggerfish Balistes capriscus 2005–06 701.57 Individuals 117.82

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.2.A.7) SOUTH ATLANTIC SNAPPER-GROUPER HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Graysby Epinephelus cruentatus 2005 17.89 Individuals

Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili 2005–06 5,613.50 Individuals 9.21

Groupers and sea basses* Serranidae 2005 689.61 Individuals

Grunts* Haemulidae 2005–06 5,340.50 Individuals 24.71

Hakes* Urophycis 2005 15.39 Individuals

Hammerhead sharks* Sphyrnidae 2005–06 135.63 Individuals 64.13

Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus 2005–06 76.27 Individuals 29.75

Jacks and pompanos* Carangidae 2006 5.35 Individuals

Jolthead porgy Calamus bajonado 2005–06 65.63 Individuals 101.64

Ladyfish Elops saurus 2005–06 150.58 Individuals 9.41

Lane snapper Lutjanus synagris 2005–06 1,570.88 Individuals 18.52

Lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris 2006 89.22 Individuals

Little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus 2005–06 1,982.35 Individuals 129.06

Mackerels* Scomberomorus spp. 2005–06 24,250.20 Individuals 16.24

Margate Haemulon album 2005 50.27 Individuals

Moray eels* Muraenidae 2005–06 160.14 Individuals 110.85

Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis 2005–06 1,872.66 Individuals 84.81

Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus 2005–06 1,066.68 Individuals 40.66

Needlefish, Atlantic Strongylura marina 2005–06 3,760.19 Individuals 126.32

Nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum 2005–06 466.12 Individuals 84.18

Parrotfishes* Scaridae 2005–06 1,022.58 Individuals 69.26

Permit Trachinotus falcatus 2005 69.23 Individuals

Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 2005 345.39 Individuals

Porkfish Anisotremus virginicus 2005 83.08 Individuals

Rainbow runner Elagatis bipinnulata 2005–06 301.81 Individuals 103.16

Rays, sawfish, and skates* Rajiformes 2005 33.57 Individuals

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus 2006 702.63 Individuals

Red grouper Epinephelus morio 2005–06 6,284.83 Individuals 91.98

Red hind Epinephelus guttatus 2005–06 310.16 Individuals 19.37

Red porgy Pagrus pagrus 2005–06 26,262.76 Individuals 33.74

Red snapper Lutjanus campechanus 2005–06 16,093.00 Individuals 7.22

Remora Remora spp. 2005–06 3,277.41 Individuals 109.18

Rock hind Epinephelus adscensionis 2005–06 40.27 Individuals 123.80

Rock sea bass Centropristis philadelphica 2005 807.74 Individuals

Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus 2005–06 398.64 Individuals 18.23

Sand tiger shark Carcharhinus taurus 2005 137.32 Individuals

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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SOUTHEAST REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.2.A.7) SOUTH ATLANTIC SNAPPER-GROUPER HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Sand tilefish Malacanthus plumieri 2005 57.70 Individuals

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005–06 381.72 Individuals 86.02

Scamp Mycteroperca phenax 2005–06 3,343.78 Individuals 6.26

Scorpionfishes* Scorpaenidae 2005 52.89 Individuals

Sea catfishes* Ariidae 2005–06 494.07 Individuals 12.91

Sea chubs* Kyphosidae 2005–06 924.16 Individuals 80.72

Silk snapper Lutjanus vivanus 2005 17.31 Individuals

Silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis 2005 33.57 Individuals

Skates* Rajidae 2005–06 36.46 Individuals 37.60

Skipjack tuna Euthynnus pelamis 2005 247.57 Individuals

Smooth dogfish shark Mustelus canis 2005 110.78 Individuals

Snappers* Lutjanidae 2005 103.85 Individuals

Snowy grouper Epinephelus niveatus 2001–03 1,578.00 Individuals 43.56

Soldierfishes and squirrelfishes* Holocentridae 2005 293.72 Individuals

Spadefishes* Ephippidae 2005 484.64 Individuals

Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 2005 3,356.58 Individuals 13.49

Speckled hind Epinephelus drummondhayi 2001–03 9,533.00 Individuals 46.15

Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna 2006 26.77 Individuals

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005–06 194.99 Individuals 101.25

Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus 2005–06 44.61 Individuals

Spottail pinfish Diplodus holbrookii 2005–06 1,362.63 Individuals 111.66

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 2005 22.31 Individuals

Tarpon Megalops atlanticus 2005 69.23 Individuals

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier 2005–06 328.38 Individuals 3.55

Tilefish* Malacanthidae 2005 23.08 Individuals

Toad fishes* Batrachoididae 2005–06 398.49 Individuals 120.95

Tomtate Haemulon aurolineatum 2005 15,676.52 Individuals

Triggerfishes* Balistidae 2005–06 1,279.98 Individuals 135.51

True eels* Anguilliformes 2005–06 103.87 Individuals 47.16

Vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens 2005–06 16,638.82 Individuals 43.23

Warsaw grouper Epinephelus nigritus 2001–03 5,000.00 Individuals 124.99

White grunt Haemulon plumieri 2005 701.58 Individuals

Whitebone porgy Calamus leucosteus 2005 116.93 Individuals

Wreckfish Polyprion americanus 2005–06 38.09 Individuals 31.25

Yellow jack Caranx bartholomaei 2005 168.19 Individuals 40.51

Yellowedge grouper Epinephelus flavolimbatus 2005 71.54 Individuals

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.2.A.7) SOUTH ATLANTIC SNAPPER-GROUPER HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca venenosa 2005–06 25.96 Individuals 40.85

Yellowmouth grouper Mycteroperca interstitialis 2005 4.20 Individuals

Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus 2005–06 129,459.39 Individuals 41.25

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 423,233.1 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 5,456,046.43 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

Subtable 4.2.A.8

ATLANTIC AND GULF OF 

MEXICO HMS PELAGIC LONGLINEd

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Albacore, South Atlantic Thunnus alalunga 2005 25,518.48 Pounds

Atlantic sailfish, South Atlantic Istiophorus albicans 2005 7,539.80 Pounds

Bigeye tuna, South Atlantic Thunnus obesus 2005 33,228.03 Pounds

Blackfin tuna, South Atlantic Thunnus atlanticus 2005 10,890.82 Pounds

Blue marlin, South Atlantic Makaira nigricans 2005 53,823.59 Pounds

Blue shark, South Atlantic Prionace glauca 2005 145,685.70 Pounds

Bluefin tuna, West Atlantic Thunnus thynnus 2005 288,465.71 Pounds

Coastal shark group 1, South Atlantic 2005 287,592.68 Pounds

Coastal shark group 2, South Atlantic 2005 173,276.52 Pounds

Skipjack tuna, South Atlantic Katsuwonus pelamis 2005 26,742.04 Pounds

Swordfish, South Atlantic Xiphias gladius 2005 478,651.66 Pounds

White marlin, South Atlantic Tetrapturus albidus 2005 37,699.00 Pounds

Yellowfin tuna, South Atlantic Thunnus albacares 2005 103,088.03 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,672,202.06 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 5,551,564.00 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 7,223,766.06 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 0.23

d Estimates are for dead discards only.

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.2.A.9

ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO 

SHARK BOTTOM LONGLINE 

e

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Atlantic sharpnose shark, South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexico

Rhizoprionodon 

terraenovae 2005–06 349,613.05 Pounds 0.25

Blacknose shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico Carcharhinus acronotus 2005–06 348,366.31 Pounds 0.36

Blacktip shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Carcharhinus limbatus 2005–06 225,066.53 Pounds 0.65

Bull shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Carcharhinus leucas 2005–06 156,832.68 Pounds 0.38

Dusky shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Carcharhinus obscurus 2005–06 570,896.75 Pounds 0.40

Gag, Gulf of Mexico Mycteroperca microlepis 2005–06 7,446.39 Pounds 0.80

Gag, South Atlantic Mycteroperca microlepis 2005–06 10,613.99 Pounds 11.00

Goliath grouper, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus itajara 2005–06 71,823.65 Pounds 19.12

Great barracuda, South Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico Sphyraena barracuda 2005–06 158,611.62 Individuals 0.25

Great hammerhead shark, South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexico Sphyrna mokarran 2005–06 191,774.36 Pounds 0.25

Nurse shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Ginglymostoma cirratum 2005–06 190,291.75 Pounds 0.75

Rays, sawfish, and skates, South Atlantic / 

Gulf of Mexico* Rajiformes 2005–06 190,488.54 Pounds 0.80

Red drum, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Sciaenops ocellatus 2005–06 531.00 Individuals 0.18

Red grouper, Gulf of Mexico Epinephelus morio 2005–06 51,414.25 Pounds 0.50

Red grouper, South Atlantic Epinephelus morio 2005–06 6,364.50 Pounds 0.25

Sand tiger, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Carcharias taurus 2005–06 32,902.15 Pounds 0.69

Sandbar Shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005–06 149,480.14 Pounds 0.28

Scalloped hammerhead Shark, South Atlantic / 

Gulf of Mexico Sphyrna lewini 2005–06 116,989.17 Pounds 0.35

Silky shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Carcharhinus falciformis 2005–06 42,322.16 Pounds 0.42

Smalltooth sawfishf Pristis pectinata 2005–06 61.00 Individuals 0.70

Smooth dogfish shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico Mustelus canis 2005–06 191,857.96 Pounds 0.42

Spotted eagle ray, South Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico Aetobatus narinari 2005–06 266.5 Individuals 0.12

Stingray spp., South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico* Dasyatis spp. 2005–06 1,599.15 Individuals 0.35

Tiger shark, South Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico Galeocerdo cuvier 2005–06 2,032,149.40 Pounds 0.20

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH

2,457.65 Individuals

5,095,305.35 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 2,925,997.00 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO **

e Bycatch estimates for the shark bottom longline are currently being refined due to discrepancies in the calculation of total 

effort. Updates will be made as appropriate.

f The take of this species is prohibited without prior authorization because it is listed as endangered under the ESA.

Table 4.2.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Albacore, South 

Atlantic Thunnus alalunga See species column 25,518.48 Pounds 41,614 Pounds 0.38

Almaco jack Seriola rivoliana See species column 1,129.71 Individuals 109,676 Pounds **

Amberjacks and 

yellowtails* Seriola spp. See species column 65,443.45 Individuals – – **

Atlantic angel shark Squatina dumeril See species column 25.94 Individuals – – **

Atlantic bumper, 

South Atlantic

Chloroscombrus 

chrysurus See species column 459.20 Individuals – – **

Atlantic croaker, Gulf 

of Mexico

Micropogonias 

undulatus See species column 107,109,953.67 Pounds 11,580,031 Pounds 0.90

Atlantic manta, South 

Atlantic Manta birostris See species column 2.80 Individuals – – **

Atlantic menhaden, 

South Atlanticc Brevoortia tyrannus See species column 41.64 Individuals See footnote – **

Atlantic moonfish, 

South Atlantic Selene setapinnis See species column 14.39 Individuals 60,579 Pounds **

Atlantic sailfish, 

South Atlantic Istiophorus albicans See species column 7,539.80 Pounds – – **

Atlantic sharpnose 

shark

Rhizoprionodon 

terraenovae 9,671.55 Individuals

14,362.03 

349,613.05

Individuals 

Pounds 522,459 Pounds **

Atlantic sharpnose 

shark, South Atlantic

Rhizoprionodon 

terraenovae 4,690.48 Individuals

Atlantic sharpnose 

shark, South Atlantic / 

Gulf of Mexico

Rhizoprionodon 

terraenovae 349,613.05 Pounds

Atlantic spadefish, 

South Atlantic

Chaetodipterus 

faber See species column 16.62 Individuals – – **

Ballyhoo Hemiramphus 

brasiliensis See species column 2,995.56 Individuals 669,081 Pounds **

Banded drum, South 

Atlantic Larimus fasciatus See species column 390.29 Individuals – – **

Banded rudderfish Seriola zonata See species column 246.17 Individuals 39,513 Pounds **

Bank sea bass Centropristis 

ocyurus See species column 750.81 Individuals ‡ – **

Table 4.2.B

Southeast Region bycatch by stock and species. Landings are not available for species groups 

(marked *), as it was not possible to determine the exact composition of the bycatch group and the 

proportions of bycatch and landings to allocate to each species. Bycatch estimates are in live weight 

(pounds) or number of individuals. Species bycatch ratio = the total regional bycatch of a species / 

(total regional landings of the species + total regional bycatch of the species); see Section 3 for details 

on ratio calculation. Some bycatch ratios (marked **) could not be developed when bycatch estimates 

were provided in both numbers of individuals and in pounds, or where landings were not available. 

Data on confidential landings (marked ‡) are not presented. Key stocks have been shaded.

bJ-4.2 appendix tables.indd 192 2/5/12 
193

SOUTHEAST REGION

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Bar jack Caranx ruber See species column 1,513.52 Individuals 34,857 Pounds **

Barracudas* Sphyraenidae See species column 7,646.54 Individuals – – **

Barrelfish Hyperoglyphe 

perciformis See species column 13.85 Individuals 20,351 Pounds **

Bigeye tuna, South 

Atlantic Thunnus obesus See species column 33,228.03 Pounds 383,587 Pounds 0.08

Black drum, Gulf of 

Mexico Pogonias cromis See species column 106,072.93 Pounds 4,588,669 Pounds 0.02

Black grouper Mycteroperca 

bonaci See species column 71,607.93 Individuals 332,950 Pounds **

Black sea bass Centropristis striata 14,783.43 Individuals

14,793.47 Individuals 872,930 Pounds ** Black sea bass, 

South Atlantic Centropristis striata 10.04 Individuals

Black snapper Apsilus dentatus 9.70 Individuals 9.70 Individuals 3,987 Pounds **

Blackfin snapper Lutjanus buccanella 301.90 Individuals 301.90 Individuals 4,740 Pounds **

Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus 952.05 Individuals

952.05 

10,890.82

Individuals 

Pounds 52,312 Pounds ** Blackfin tuna, South 

Atlantic Thunnus atlanticus 10,890.82 Pounds

Blacknose shark Carcharhinus 

acronotus 1,280.64 Individuals

1,280.64 

348,366.31

Individuals 

Pounds 155,858 Pounds ** Blacknose shark, 

South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexico

Carcharhinus 

acronotus 348,366.31 Pounds

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus 

limbatus 8,472.90 Individuals

8,869.86 

225,066.53

Individuals 

Pounds 1,357,681 Pounds **

Blacktip shark, South 

Atlantic

Carcharhinus 

limbatus 292.36 Individuals

Blacktip shark, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Carcharhinus 

limbatus 225,066.53 Pounds

Blowfish* Tetraodontidae See species column 521.91 Individuals – – **

Blue marlin, South 

Atlantic Makaira nigricans See species column 53,823.59 Pounds – – **

Blue shark, South 

Atlantic Prionace glauca See species column 145,685.70 Pounds ‡ – **

Bluefin tuna, West 

Atlantic Thunnus thynnus See species column 288,465.71 Pounds 305,237 Pounds 0.49

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 35,713.08 Individuals

35,783.39 Individuals 3,123,949 Pounds ** Bluefish, South 

Atlantic Pomatomus saltatrix 70.31 Individuals

Blueline tilefish Caulolatilus microps See species column 35.39 Individuals 181,935 Pounds **

Blue runner Caranx crysos See species column 7,347.88 Individuals 368,751 Pounds **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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194

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Bluntnose sevengill 

shark

Notorynchus 

cepedianus See species column 3,896.69 Individuals – – **

Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sarda See species column 9,565.63 Individuals 12,918 Pounds **

Bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo 2,496.69 Individuals

3,064.02 Individuals 46,278 Pounds ** Bonnethead shark, 

South Atlantic Sphyrna tiburo 567.33 Individuals

Breams and porgies* Sparidae See species column 792.21 Individuals – – **

Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 1,149.08 Individuals

1,149.08 

156,832.68

Individuals 

Pounds Bull shark, South 185,007 Pounds **

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Carcharhinus leucas 156,832.68 Pounds

Butterflyfishes* Chaetodontidae See species column 1,592.40 Individuals – – **

Caribbean red 

snapper Lutjanus purpureus See species column 19.54 Individuals ‡ – **

Caribbean reef shark Carcharhinus 

perezii See species column 72.43 Individuals – – **

Caribbean sharpnose 

sharkc

Rhizoprionodon 

porosus See species column 2,513.58 Individuals – – **

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondrichthyes See species column 52,931.73 Individuals – – **

Coastal shark group 

1, South Atlantic* See species column 287,592.68 Pounds – – **

Coastal shark group 

2, South Atlantic* See species column 173,276.52 Pounds – – **

Cobia Rachycentron 

canadum 3,097.25 Individuals

3,109.7 

36,582.98

Individuals 

Pounds Cobia, Gulf of Mexico 159,194 Pounds ** Rachycentron 

canadum 36,582.98 Pounds

Cobia, South Atlantic Rachycentron 

canadum 12.45 Individuals

Conger eel Conger oceanicus See species column 52,202.22 Individuals 3,327 Pounds **

Cownose ray, South 

Atlantic Rhinoptera bonasus See species column 22.99 Individuals – – **

Crevalle jack, South 

Atlantic Caranx hippos 4.46 Individuals

315.28 Individuals 425,320 Pounds **

Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 310.82 Individuals

Crimson rover Erythrocles monody See species column 6,091.85 Individuals – – **

Cutlassfish, Atlantic Trichiurus lepturus See species column 242.60 Individuals 23,903 Pounds **

Dogfish sharks* Squalidae See species column 7,945.75 Individuals – – **

Dolphinfish* Coryphaena spp. See species column 4,750.13 Individuals – – **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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195

SOUTHEAST REGION

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Dusky shark Carcharhinus 

obscurus 2,739.25 Individuals

2,739.25 

570,896.75

Individuals 

Pounds – – ** Dusky shark, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Carcharhinus 

obscurus 570,896.75 Pounds

Finfishes, 

unclassified, general* See species column 22,466.50 Individuals – – **

Flatfishes* Pleuronectiformes See species column 976.69 Individuals – – **

French grunt Haemulon 

flavolineatum See species column 133.83 Individuals – – **

Gafftopsail catfish, 

South Atlantic Bagre marinus See species column 16.31 Individuals – – **

Gag Mycteroperca 

microlepis 86,266.11 Individuals

86,266.11 

18,060.38

Individuals 

Pounds Gag, Gulf of Mexico 3,388,602 Pounds ** Mycteroperca 

microlepis 7,446.39 Pounds

Gag, South Atlantic Mycteroperca 

microlepis 10,613.99 Pounds

Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara 3,770.98 Individuals

3,770.98 

71,823.65

Individuals 

Pounds Goliath grouper, – – ** South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexico

Epinephelus itajara 71,823.65 Pounds

Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus See species column 45,171.16 Individuals 358,224 Pounds **

Gray triggerfish Balistes capriscus See species column 1,951.57 Individuals 45,454 Pounds **

Graysby Epinephelus 

cruentatus See species column 17.89 Individuals 1,349 Pounds **

Great barracuda, 

South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexicod

Sphyraena 

barracuda See species column 158,611.62 Individuals See 

footnote – **

Great hammerhead 

shark, South Atlantic / 

Gulf of Mexico

Sphyrna mokarran See species column 191,774.36 Pounds ‡ – **

Greater amberjack Seriola dumerili See species column 266,297.53 Individuals 1,442,512 Pounds **

Grouped finfish other 

than listed, Gulf of 

Mexico*

See species column 321,715,655.17 Pounds – – **

Grouped sharks, Gulf 

of Mexico* See species column 5,751,271.68 Pounds – – **

Groupers and sea 

basses* Serranidae See species column 11,616.76 Individuals – – **

Grunts* Haemulidae See species column 16,639.47 Individuals – – **

Hakes* Urophycis spp. See species column 47,364.35 Individuals – – **

Hammerhead sharks* Sphyrnidae See species column 886.86 Individuals – – **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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196

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Hogfish Lachnolaimus 

maximus See species column 238.00 Individuals 51,861 Pounds **

Jacks and 

pompanos* Carangidae See species column 5.35 Individuals – – **

Jolthead porgy Calamus bajonado See species column 65.63 Individuals 10,536 Pounds **

King mackerel, 

Atlantic group

Scomberomorus 

cavalla 273.01 Individuals

273.01 

380,397.44

Individuals 

Pounds 939,675 Pounds ** King mackerel, Gulf 

group

Scomberomorus 

cavalla 380,397.44 Pounds

Knobbed porgy Calamus nodosus See species column 99.97 Individuals 21,157 Pounds **

Ladyfish Elops saurus See species column 1,208.06 Individuals 1,932,721 Pounds **

Lane snapper Lutjanus synagris 3,748.85 Individuals 3,748.85

1,623,481.71

Individuals

Pounds

48,466 Pounds ** Lane snaper, 

Gulf of Mexico Lutjanus synagris 1,623,481.71 Pounds

Lemon shark Negaprion 

brevirostris See species column 646.32 Individuals 72,373 Pounds **

Lesser amberjack Seriola fasciata See species column 1,621.13 Individuals 51,917 Pounds **

Little tunny Euthynnus 

alletteratus 3,001.25 Individuals

3,049.68 Individuals 497,551 Pounds ** Little tunny, South 

Atlantic

Euthynnus 

alletteratus 48.43 Individuals

Longspine porgy, Gulf 

of Mexico

Stenotomus 

caprinus See species column 61,490,961.63 Pounds ‡ – **

Mackerels* Scomberomorus

spp. See species column 30,281.78 Individuals – – **

Mako sharks* Isurus spp. See species column 278.18 Individuals – – **

Margate Haemulon album See species column 50.27 Individuals 23,835 Pounds **

Marlins and 

spearfishes* Tetrapturus spp. See species column 1,035.07 Individuals – – **

Moray eels* Muraenidae See species column 9,544.95 Individuals – – **

Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis See species column 4,494.53 Individuals 237,414 Pounds **

Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus See species column 1,325.45 Individuals ‡ – **

Needlefish, Atlantic Strongylura marina See species column 3,760.19 Individuals ‡ – **

Non-crustacean 

Invertebrates, Gulf of 

Mexico*

See species column 26,997,043.37 Pounds – – **

Non-Penaeid shrimp 

crustacean, Gulf of 

Mexico*

See species column 88,179,006.92 Pounds – – **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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197

SOUTHEAST REGION

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Nurse shark Ginglymostoma 

cirratum 2,120.43 Individuals

2,120.43 

19,0291.75

Individuals 

Pounds – – ** Nurse shark, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Ginglymostoma 

cirratum 190,291.75 Pounds

Other snapper spp., 

Gulf of Mexico* See species column 784,083.29 Pounds – – **

Parrotfishes* Scaridae See species column 1,022.58 Individuals – – **

Permit Trachinotus falcatus See species column 69.23 Individuals 20,959 Pounds **

Pilotfish Naucrates ductor See species column 2,582.30 Individuals **

Pinfish Lagodon rhomboids See species column 1,816.02 Individuals 95,233 Pounds **

Porkfish Anisotremus 

virginicus See species column 83.08 Individuals – – **

Rainbow runner Elagatis bipinnulata See species column 301.81 Individuals ‡ – **

Rays, sawfish, and 

skates* Rajiformes 33.57 Individuals

33.57 

190,488.54

Individuals 

Pounds – – ** Rays, sawfish, and 

skates, South Atlantic 

/ Gulf of Mexico*

Rajiformes 190,488.54 Pounds

Red hind Epinephelus 

guttatus See species column 633.62 Individuals 16,750 Pounds **

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus 46,888.04 Individuals

47422.84 

405,795.32

Individuals 

Pounds 181,857 Pounds **

Red drum, Gulf of 

Mexico Sciaenops ocellatus 405,795.32 Pounds

Red drum, South 

Atlantic Sciaenops ocellatus 3.80 Individuals

Red drum, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Sciaenops ocellatus 531.00 Individuals

Red grouper Epinephelus morio 862,149.42 Individuals

862149.42 

57778.75

Individuals 

Pounds 6,588,286 Pounds ** Red grouper, Gulf of 

Mexico Epinephelus morio 51,414.25 Pounds

Red grouper, South 

Atlantic Epinephelus morio 6,364.50 Pounds

Red porgy Pagrus pagrus 32,456.93 Individuals 32,456.93 Individuals 120,657 Pounds **

Red snapper Lutjanus 

campechanus 1,727,474.10 Individuals

1,727,474.10 

2,569,676.96

Individuals 

Pounds 4,236,011 Pounds ** Red snapper, Gulf of 

Mexico

Lutjanus 

campechanus 2,569,676.96 Pounds

Remora* Remora spp. See species column 171,07.49 Individuals – – **

Rock hind Epinephelus 

adscensionis See species column 671.39 Individuals 17,603 Pounds **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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198

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Rock sea bass Centropristis 

philadelphica See species column 4,535.74 Individuals 237 Pounds **

Sailfish Istiophorus 

platypterus 439.92 Individuals

462.24 Individuals – – **

Sailfish, West Atlantic Istiophorus 

platypterus 22.32 Individuals

Sand seatrout Cynoscion arenarius See species column 3,881.53 Individuals 72,830 Pounds **

Sand tiger shark Carcharhinus taurus 308.86 Individuals

308.86 

32,902.15

Individuals 

Pounds Sand tiger shark, ‡ – **

South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexico

Carcharias taurus 32,902.15 Pounds

Sand tilefish Malacanthus 

plumieri 57.70 Individuals 57.70 Individuals 5,750 Pounds **

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus 

plumbeus 4,846.87 Individuals

4,846.87 

149,480.14

Individuals 

Pounds 1,657,123 Pounds ** Sandbar shark, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Carcharhinus 

plumbeus 149,480.14 Pounds

Scalloped 

hammerhead shark, 

South Atlantice

Sphyrna lewini 139.47 Individuals

139.47 

116,989.17

Individuals 

Pounds

See 

footnote – ** Scalloped 

hammerhead shark, 

South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexicoe

Sphyrna lewini 116,989.17 Pounds

Scamp Mycteroperca 

phenax See species column 37,233.29 Individuals 659,292 Pounds **

Scorpionfishes* Scorpaenidae See species column 52.89 Individuals – – **

Sea catfishes* Ariidae See species column 1,140.99 Individuals – – **

Sea chubs* Kyphosidae See species column 4,805.69 Individuals – – **

Seatrout and 

weakfish spp., Gulf of 

Mexico*

Cynoscion spp. See species column 58,720,836.76 Pounds – – **

Silk snapper Lutjanus vivanus See species column 17.31 Individuals 53,261 Pounds **

Silky shark Carcharhinus 

falciformis 33.57 Individuals

33.57 

42,322.16

Individuals 

Pounds 10,897 Pounds ** Silky shark, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Carcharhinus 

falciformis 42,322.16 Pounds

Silver seatrout, South 

Atlanticf Cynoscion nothus See species column 166.97 Individuals See footnote – **

Sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus See species column 339.40 Individuals – – **

Skates* Rajidae See species column 150.74 Individuals – – **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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199

SOUTHEAST REGION

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Skipjack tuna Euthynnus pelamis 319.29 Individuals

319.29 

26742.04

Individuals 

Pounds 2,513 Pounds ** Skipjack tuna, South 

Atlantic

Katsuwonus 

pelamis 26,742.04 Pounds

Smalltooth sawfishg Pristis pectinata See species column 61.00 Individuals – – **

Smooth dogfish shark Mustelus canis 110.78 Individuals

110.78 

191,857.96

Individuals 

Pounds Smooth dogfish 666,709 Pounds **

shark, South Atlantic / 

Gulf of Mexico

Mustelus canis 191,857.96 Pounds

Snappers* Lutjanidae See species column 20,445.47 Individuals – – **

Snowy grouper Epinephelus 

niveatus See species column 2,702.91 Individuals 427,889 Pounds **

Soliderfishes and 

squirrelfishes* Holocentridae See species column 293.72 Individuals – – **

Spadefishes* Ephippidae See species column 11,741.08 Individuals – – **

Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus 

maculates 61,802.52 Individuals

61,802.52 

3,560,615.21

Individuals 

Pounds 5,269,670 Pounds ** Spanish mackerel, 

Gulf Group

Scomberomorus 

maculates 3,560,615.21 Pounds

Speckled hind Epinephelus 

drummondhayi See species column 10,432.66 Individuals 90,660 Pounds **

Spinner shark Carcharhinus 

brevipinna 6,816.92 Individuals

6,825.10 Individuals 42,342 Pounds ** Spinner shark, South 

Atlantic

Carcharhinus 

brevipinna 8.18 Individuals

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias See species column 16,065.77 Individuals 18,865 Pounds **

Southern flounder, 

Gulf of Mexico

Paralichthys 

lethostigma See species column 1,306,782.10 Pounds 1,894,981 Pounds 0.40

Spot, South Atlantic Leiostomus 

xanthurus See species column 26.89 Individuals 1,746,559 Pounds **

Spottail pinfish Diplodus holbrookii See species column 1,362.63 Individuals 9,508 Pounds **

Spotted eagle ray, 

South Atlantich Aetobatus narinari 4.00 Individuals

270.50 Individuals – – ** Spotted eagle ray, 

South Atlantic / Gulf 

of Mexicoh

Aetobatus narinari 266.50 Individuals

Spotted seatrout Cynoscion 

nebulosus See species column 44.61 Individuals 234,155 Pounds **

Stingray spp., South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico*

Dasyatis spp. See species column 1,599.15 Individuals – – **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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200

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 590.08 Individuals

590.08 

478,651.66

Individuals 

Pounds 2,075,140 Pounds ** Swordfish, South 

Atlantic Xiphias gladius 478,651.66 Pounds

Tarpon Megalops atlanticus 78.31 Individuals

86.15 Individuals – – ** Tarpon, South Atlantic Megalops atlanticus 6.84 Individuals

Thornback Platyrhinoidis 

triseriata See species column 1,091.07 Individuals – – **

Thresher sharks* Alopias spp. See species column 161.73 Individuals – – **

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier 984.79 Individuals

992.03 

2,032,149.40

Individuals 

Pounds 38,603 Pounds **

Tiger shark, South 

Atlantic Galeocerdo cuvier 7.24 Individuals

Tiger shark, South 

Atlantic / Gulf of 

Mexico

Galeocerdo cuvier 2,032,149.40 Pounds

Tilefish* Malacanthidae See species column 340.54 Individuals – – **

Toad fishes* Batrachoididae See species column 937.59 Individuals – – **

Tomtate Haemulon 

aurolineatum See species column 15,676.52 Individuals – – **

Triggerfishes* Balistidae See species column 44,550.00 Individuals – – **

Tripletail Lobotes 

surinamensis See species column 13.65 Individuals 6,978 Pounds **

True eels* Anguilliformes See species column 25,805.39 Individuals – – **

Vermilion snapper Rhomboplites 

aurorubens 71,762.26 Individuals

71,762.26 

300,909.20

Individuals 

Pounds 2,995,399 Pounds ** Vermilion snapper, 

Gulf of Mexico

Rhomboplites 

aurorubens 300,909.20 Pounds

Warsaw grouper Epinephelus nigritus See species column 7,935.84 Individuals 162,303 Pounds **

White grunt Haemulon plumieri See species column 7,170.80 Individuals 18,469 Pounds **

White marlin, South 

Atlantic Tetrapturus albidus See species column 37,699.00 Pounds – – **

Whitebone porgy Calamus leucosteus See species column 1,302.95 Individuals 6,836 Pounds **

Worm eels and snake 

Eels* Ophichthidae See species column 20,455.28 Individuals – – **

Wreckfish Polyprion 

americanus See species column 38.09 Individuals ‡ – **

Yellow jack Caranx 

bartholomaei See species column 168.19 Individuals – – **

Yellowedge grouper Epinephelus 

flavolimbatus See species column 1,866.84 Individuals 920,704 Pounds **

Table 4.2.B (continued)

bJ-4.2 appendix tables.indd 200 2/5/12 
201

SOUTHEAST REGION

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCHa TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca 

venenosa See species column 644.41 Individuals 9,739 Pounds **

Yellowfin menhaden, 

South Atlantic Brevoortia smithi See species column 224.04 Individuals See footnote – **

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares 99.67 Individuals

99.67 

103,088.03

Individuals 

Pounds 3,446,030 Pounds ** Yellowfin tuna, South 

Atlantic Thunnus albacares 103,088.03 Pounds

Yellowmouth grouper Mycteroperca 

interstitialis See species column 4.20 Individuals 575 Pounds **

Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus See species column 409,684.19 Individuals 1,325,387 Pounds **

a Bycatch at the stock level is listed only for species with bycatch of more than one substock. If one or no substocks occur, total bycatch is listed in the “species” column. b Landed weights are for catch sold only.

c Southeast Region landings were not reported by menhaden species, but were reported for menhaden in general. Landings for 2005 for Brevoortia were 828,842,807 pounds

but could not be used to develop a bycatch ratio for menhaden species, as the exact composition of the Brevoortia group was unknown. d Landings data for great barracuda were not available. It is possible that landings for this species are grouped with Sphyraenidae (barracudas), along with other Sphyraenida

species. Southeast Regional landings for Sphyraenidae were 126,158 pounds for the year 2005. 

e Landings data were not available for scalloped hammerhead shark. It is possible that these landings were included in landings for Sphyrnidae (hammerhead sharks, generally

along with other hammerhead shark species. Southeast Regional landings for Sphyrnidae were 273,298 pounds for the year 2005.

f Landings data were not available for silver seatrout. It is possible that landings for this species were included in the weakfish landings (another common name for seatrout), alon

with other seatrout species. Southeast Region landings for weakfish were 428,767 pounds in 2005, but could not be used to develop a bycatch ratio for silver seatrout, as th

exact composition of the weakfish group is unknown. 

g Take of smalltooth sawfish is prohibited without prior authorization because this species is listed as endangered under the ESA.

h Landing spotted eagle ray is not federally prohibited, but is prohibited by the State of Florida. Spotted eagle rays are not landed elsewhere.

Table 4.2.B (continued)

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Subtable 4.2.C.1

LARGE COASTAL AND SMALL COASTAL SHARK 

AGGREGATES (DRIFT, STRIKE, AND BOTTOM GILLNET)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Bottlenose dolphin, 

Western North Atlantic Coastal Tursiops truncatus 2000–04 5 Individuals 0.49

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 5 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.C.2 ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO HMS PELAGIC LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pilot whale (long- and/or short-finned) Globicephala spp. 2000–04 70 Individuals 0.37

Risso’s dolphin, Western North Atlantic Grampus griseus 2000–04 46 Individuals 0.37

Spotted dolphin, Atlantic, Western North 

Atlantic Stenella frontalis 2001–05 6 Individuals 1

Spotted dolphin, 

pantropical, Western North Atlantic Stenella attenuata 2001–05 6 Individuals 1

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 116 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.C.3 ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO SHARK BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Bottlenose dolphin, 

Western North Atlantic Coastal Tursiops truncatus 2003 100.25 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 100.25 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.C.4 (Summary by species) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT

Bottlenose dolphin, Western 

North Atlantic Coastal Tursiops truncatus 105.25 Individuals

Pilot whale (long- and/or shortfinned) Globicephala spp. 70 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin, Western North 

Atlantic Grampus griseus 46 Individuals

Spotted dolphin, Atlantic, 

Western North Atlantic Stenella frontalis 6 Individuals

Spotted dolphin, pantropical, 

Western North Atlantic Stenella attenuata 6 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 233.25 Individuals

Table 4.2.C

Subtables showing marine mammal bycatch estimates and associated 

CVs (where available) for Southeast Region fisheries (source: Waring et al. 

2007). Bycatch estimates are in numbers of individuals and include incidental mortality and serious injury. Key stocks/populations are shaded. Where 

multiple years of data are indicated, the estimate is an annual average.

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.2.D.1 GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Unclassified sea turtles 2005 10.37 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 10.37 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.D.2 GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2006 24.42 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 24.42 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.D.3 GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP TRAWLa

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 2002 486 Individuals

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii 2002 3,884 Individuals

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 2001 63 Individuals

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2001 2,416 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 6,849 Individuals

a Bycatch mortality estimates for Southeast shrimp fisheries from the NMFS 2002 Biological Opinion on the Shrimp Fisheries 

of the Southeastern United States. Since that time effort in the shrimp fishery and associated bycatch have decreased 

markedly.

Subtable 4.2.D.4

LARGE COASTAL AND SMALL COASTAL SHARK 

AGGREGATES (DRIFT, STRIKE, 

AND BOTTOM GILLNET)b

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 2002 3.40 Individuals 0.69

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2002 1.70 Individuals 1.00

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 5.10 Individuals

b Estimates are only for the directed shark drift gillnet portion of the fishery.

Table 4.2.D

Subtables showing sea turtle bycatch estimates and associated CVs (where 

available) for Southeast Region fisheries. Bycatch estimates are in number 

of individuals. Estimates are for live and dead releases in all fisheries with 

the exception of the shrimp trawl fisheries, where estimates are for mortalities only. Key stocks/populations are shaded. Where multiple years of data 

are indicated, the estimate is an annual average.

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Subtable 4.2.D.5

NORTH CAROLINA INSHORE 

(BAYS AND RIVERS) GILLNETc

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 2006 37 Individuals

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 2005–07 19 Individuals

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2005–07 4 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 60 Individuals

c Bycatch estimates for this fishery are a sum over the years indicated, not averages.

Subtable 4.2.D.6

North Carolina

Southern Flounder Pound NET

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 2003 Fall 107.7 Individuals 0.235

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii 2003 Fall 13.6 Individuals 0.421

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2003 Fall 536.8 Individuals 0.114

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 658.1 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.D.7

SOUTH ATLANTIC 

SNAPPER–GROUPER HANDLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Unclassified sea turtles 2005 3.22 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3.22 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.D.8

ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO 

HMS PELAGIC LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 2005 350.90 Individuals 0.22

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2005 273.80 Individuals 0.18

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 624.70 Individuals

Table 4.2.D (continued)

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Subtable 4.2.D.9

ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO 

SHARK BOTTOM LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 2005 83.20 Individuals 0.76

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2005 420.00 Individuals 0.43

Unidentified sea turtle 2004 31.80 Individuals 1.00

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 535.00 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.D.10 SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC SHRIMP TRAWLd

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 2001 28 Individuals

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii 2002 324 Individuals

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 2001 17 Individuals

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2001 1,532 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,901 Individuals

d Bycatch estimates from the 2002 shrimp fishery Biological Opinion. Since that time, effort in the shrimp fishery (and thus 

associated bycatch) have decreased dramatically.

Subtable 4.2.D.11 (Summary) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 658.7 Individuals

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii 4,222 Individuals

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea 536.5 Individuals

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 5,209 Individuals

Unidentified turtles 45.39 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 10,670.91 Individuals

Table 4.2.D (continued)

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Subtable 4.2.E.1

ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO 

HMS PELAGIC LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

Data 

Source Bycatch Unit CV

Greater shearwaters Puffinus gravis 2004 75 Individuals

Gull 2004 61 Individuals

Northern gannet Morus bassanus 2000 22 Individuals

Wilson’s storm petrel Oceanites oceanicus 1995 24 Individuals

Unspecified seabirds 2004 6 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 142a Individuals

a Separate total sea bird estimate (see Hata 2006), not the sum of the by-species estimates.

Subtable 4.2.E.2

SOUTH ATLANTIC COASTAL 

MIGRATORY PELAGIC TROLL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Northern gannet Morus bassanus 2006 24.09 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 24.09 Individuals

Subtable 4.2.E.3 (Summary) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT

Greater shearwaters Puffinus gravis 75 Individuals

Gull 61 Individuals

Northern gannet Morus bassanus 44.09 Individuals

Wilson’s storm petrel Oceanites oceanicus 24 Individuals

Unspecified seabirds 6 Individuals

TOTAL STOCK BYCATCH 186.09b Individuals

b Sum of the two fisheries totals, not the sum of the by-species estimates.

Table 4.2.E 

Subtables showing seabird bycatch estimates for 

Southeast Region fisheries. Estimates reflect the 

annual average from the years identified, and are in 

numbers of individuals. 

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ALASKA REGION

4.3 Alaska Region

Alaska is the largest U.S. state and is in itself an entire 

NMFS region. Its EEZ of over one million square miles contains more than 70% of the total area of U.S. continental 

shelves (NMFS 2004c). The Alaska Region includes part or 

all of several LMEs (Aleutian Islands, Eastern Bering Sea, 

Western Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Chukchi Sea, and the 

Beaufort Sea).1 The North Pacific Fishery Management 

Council (NPFMC), in conjunction with NMFS, is responsible 

for managing fisheries in the Alaska Region. These coldwater ecosystems provide resources that support abundant 

fisheries, many populations of marine mammals, and a variety of seabird species. 

4.3.1 Fisheries Overview

A total of 77 state and Federal commercial fisheries are included in this report for the Alaska Region (Table 4.3.1). 

Landings from these fisheries were valued at approximately 

$1.367 billion dollars in 2005.2 These fisheries are diverse 

with respect to the species targeted, the gear types employed, and the sizes of both harvesting and processing 

sectors. They target numerous groundfish species, Pacific 

halibut, Pacific herring, and several species of Pacific salmon, crab, and other shellfish. With a few exceptions, discard 

information of fish is available only for Federal groundfish 

fisheries because FMP regulations (50 CFR part 679) require specified levels of observer coverage in these fisheries to support information requirements for in-season management, scientific research, and compliance monitoring. 

Information on marine mammal bycatch is also available 

from the Federal Groundfish Observer Program and for 

some state fisheries that have been observed through the 

Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program. Details about 

the information collected by observers can be found in Section 4.3.3.

In the Alaska Region, a total of 27 fisheries are managed 

solely by NMFS, while 48 fisheries (62%) have some form 

of state management (Figure 4.3.1). Only 3% of the fisheries are managed on an international level.

Federal management of finfish and shellfish species in the 

EEZ off Alaska is described in five FMPs developed by 

the NPFMC and approved by the Secretary of Commerce: 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 

Management Area FMP; Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska 

(GOA) FMP; the BSAI King and Tanner Crab FMP; the 

Scallop Fishery off Alaska FMP; and the Salmon FMP in 

the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska. In general, these FMPs 

outline processes for setting harvest limits, provide for by1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/.

2 Ex-vessel landings value, Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2006. Available 

online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/fisheries_economics_

2006.html.

catch control and monitoring, and regulate certain aspects 

of limited-access privilege programs or license limitation 

programs. These plans also maintain Federal oversight 

where management functions are delegated to the State 

of Alaska by NMFS and the NPFMC through specific FMP 

language. 

The State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) 

manages fisheries within Alaska State territorial waters 

(0–3 nautical miles) and fisheries that have management 

functions delegated to the state through a Federal FMP. 

The ADFG is the principal state agency responsible for 

management of fisheries with delegated authority. The following FMPs defer a portion of management responsibilities to ADFG: 

•	 BSAI King and Tanner Crab FMP, which regulates fisheries for red, blue, and brown king crab; Tanner crab; and 

snow crab 

•	 The Scallop Fishery off Alaska FMP, which regulates the 

weathervane scallop fishery in the GOA 

•	 The Alaska Salmon FMP, which largely prohibits directed 

fishing for salmon in Federal waters except by a limited 

number of vessels using troll gear 

A total of 27 groundfish fisheries are managed by NMFS in 

consultation with the NPFMC under the Groundfish of the 

GOA and Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area FMPs. 

Both FMPs have been amended substantially since they 

were first implemented, and many of the regulatory changes enabled by these amendments supported the evolution 

of the Alaska groundfish fisheries from a predominantly 

foreign operation to the largest exclusively U.S. fishing industry operation by the late 1980s. The Groundfish of the 

BSAI Management Area FMP, implemented in 1982, outlines management measures for Alaska groundfish stocks 

in the U.S. EEZ of the Bering Sea, including Bristol Bay and 

Norton Sound, and the portion of the North Pacific Ocean 

adjacent to the Aleutian Islands, which is between 170oW 

longitude and the U.S. Russian Convention line of 1867. 

The area’s northern limit is the Bering Strait.3 The Groundfish of the GOA FMP regulates catch of groundfish within 

the U.S. EEZ, exclusive of the Bering Sea, between the 

eastern Aleutian Islands at 170oW longitude and Dixon Entrance at 132oE latitude 40oW longitude.4

Most groundfish fisheries in waters off Alaska are managed 

under the groundfish FMPs for the BSAI and GOA Regions. The major species managed under the Groundfish 

FMPs are walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), sablefish (Anoplopoma 

fimbria), rockfish, flatfish, and Atka mackerel (Pleurogram3 Description of BSAI FMP area is from the Groundfish of the Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands Management Area FMP, available at http://www.fakr.noaa.

gov/npfmc/fmp/bsai/bsai.htm.

4 Description of GOA FMP area is from the GOA Groundfish FMP, available 

at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/fmp/goa/GOA.pdf.

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fisherya

Management 

Authority Federal FMPb Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish 

Group (Arrowtooth Flounder, Flathead 

Sole, other Flatfish) Trawl

Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl

Arrowtooth 

flounder, flathead 

sole, other flatfish

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Rock Sole Trawl Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Rock sole

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Yellowfin Sole Trawl Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Yellowfin sole

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Gulf of Alaska 

Arrowtooth Flounder Trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl Arrowtooth 

flounder

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska 

Flatfish (Deepwater Flatfish) Trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl

Dover sole, 

deepsea sole, 

Greenland turbot

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska 

Flatfish (Shallow Water Flatfish) Trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl 

Northern rock 

sole, southern 

rock sole, 

yellowfin sole

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska Flathead Sole Trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl Flathead sole

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska Rex Sole Trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl Rex sole

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Non-Grouped Fisheries

Aleutian Islands/ eastern Bering Sea/ 

Atka mackerel trawl Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Atka mackerel

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data 

Table 4.3.1 

Alaska Region fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Fishery group names appear in 

bold, followed by the individual fisheries within the group. Grouped fisheries are listed alphabetically, 

first by fisheries group name, then by management authority, and then by individual fishery name. 

Non-grouped fisheries are listed alphabetically by management authority and then fishery name. 

Rows containing fisheries for which bycatch estimates are included in this report are shaded. 

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ALASKA REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority Federal FMPb Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Greenland turbot longline Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Longline Greenland turbot

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Pacific cod jig Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Hand Lines, 

Auto Jig Pacific cod Landing report, 

observer data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Pacific cod pot Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Pots and 

Traps, fish Pacific cod

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Pacific cod longline Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Longline Pacific cod

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Pacific cod trawl Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Pacific cod

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

Pacific ocean perch Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Pacific ocean 

perch

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

pollock trawl Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Pollock

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

sablefish longline Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Longline Sablefish

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

sablefish pot Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Pots and 

Traps, Fish Sablefish

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 

sablefish trawl Federal

Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and 

Aleutian Islands 

Management 

Area

Trawl Sablefish

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod jig Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska

Hand Lines, 

Auto Jig Pacific cod Landing report, 

observer data

Table 4.3.1 (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fisherya

Management 

Authority Federal FMPb Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod longline Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Longline Pacific cod

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska

Pots and 

Traps, Fish Pacific cod

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl Pacific cod

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl Pollock

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska rockfish (northern 

rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish, 

Pacific ocean perch) trawl

Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl 

Northern rockfish, 

pelagic shelf 

rockfish, Pacific 

ocean perch

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Longline Sablefish

Landing report, 

at-sea production 

report, observer 

data

Gulf of Alaska sablefish trawl Federal Groundfish of the 

Gulf of Alaska Trawl Sablefish

Landing report, 

at-Sea production 

report, observer 

data

Alaska halibut longline International Longline Pacific halibut

Alaska/North Pacific halibut handline 

and mechanical jig International Hand Lines, 

Auto Jig Pacific halibut

 Alaska abalone State

By Hand, 

Diving Gear; 

By Hand, No 

Diving Gear

Abalone

Alaska Bristol Bay salmon drift gillnet State Gillnet, 

Floating Drift

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon 

Alaska Bristol Bay salmon set gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon 

Alaska clam State Shovel, diving 

gear

Geoducks, 

hardshell, razor 

clams

Table 4.3.1 (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority Federal FMPb Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Alaska Cook Inlet drift gillnet State Gillnet, 

Floating Drift

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer data 

(protected species 

only)

Alaska Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer data 

(protected species 

only)

Alaska Dungeness crab State

By Hand, with 

and without 

Diving Gear

Dungeness crab

Alaska groundfish longline/setline 

(including sablefish, rockfish, and 

miscellaneous) finfish)

State Longline Sablefish

Alaska Herring Spawn on Kelp 

Pound Net State Pound net Pacific herring

Alaska Kodiak food/bait herring trawl State Otter trawl, 

midwater Pacific herring

Alaska Kodiak salmon set gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer data

(protected species 

only)

Alaska Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton 

Sound, Kotzebue salmon gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska Metlakatla/Annette Island 

salmon drift gillnet State Gillnet, 

Floating Drift

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska Metlakatla salmon purse seine State Purse seine

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska miscellaneous finfish beach 

seine State Other Seines Finfish

Alaska miscellaneous finfish beam trawl State Other Trawls Finfish

Alaska miscellaneous finfish handline 

and mechanical jig State Hand Lines, 

Auto Jig Finfish

Alaska miscellaneous finfish pair trawl State

Otter Trawl 

Midwater, 

Paired

Finfish

Table 4.3.1 (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fisherya

Management 

Authority Federal FMPb Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Alaska miscellaneous finfish 

purse seine State Purse Seine Finfish

Alaska miscellaneous finfish set gillnet State Gillnet Finfish

Alaska octopus/squid handline State Hand Line Octopus, squid

Alaska octopus/squid longline State Longline Octopus, squid

Alaska octopus/squid pot State Pots and 

traps, octopus Octopus, squid

Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Islands 

salmon drift gillnet State Gillnet, 

Floating Drift

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer data

(protected species 

only)

Alaska Peninsula/Aleutians 

salmon set gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska Prince William Sound 

salmon drift gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer data

(protected species 

only)

Alaska Prince William Sound 

salmon set gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer data

(protected species 

only)

Alaska Roe Herring and Food/Bait 

Herring Beach Seine State Other seines Pacific herring

Alaska Roe Herring and Food/Bait 

Herring Gillnet State Gillnets Pacific herring

Alaska Roe Herring and Food/Bait 

Herring Purse Seine State Purse Seine Pacific herring

Alaska salmon beach seine State Other seines

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska Salmon Purse Seine 

(except Southeast Alaska, 

which is in Category II)

State Purse seine

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska salmon troll State Troll lines

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska Shrimp Otter Trawl and Beam 

Trawl (Statewide and Cook Inlet) State Other trawls Pink shrimp, spot 

shrimp

Table 4.3.1 (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

Fisherya

Management 

Authority Federal FMPb Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

Alaska snail pot State Pots and Traps Green snails

Alaska southeast herring roe/food/bait 

pound net State Pound net Pacific herring

Alaska southeast salmon drift gillnet State Gillnet, Floating 

Drift

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Stranding and 

entanglement 

data

Alaska southeast salmon purse seine State Purse seine

Chum salmon, 

coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Alaska urchin and other fish/shellfish State

By Hand, 

Diving Gear; 

By Hand, No 

Diving Gear

Green urchin

Red urchin

Alaska Yakutat salmon set gillnet State Gillnet

Chum salmon, 

Coho salmon, 

Chinook salmon, 

pink salmon, 

sockeye salmon

Observer 

data (program 

initiated in 2007); 

strandings and 

entanglement 

data

Aleutian Islands state waters Pacific cod State Pots and Traps Pacific cod

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands crab pot State

Federal FMP, but 

deferred to state 

mangement

Pots and Traps

Blue king crab, 

red king crab, 

Tanner crab, 

snow crab

Coastwide scallop dredge State

Federal FMP, 

but deferred to 

state mangement

Dredge Weathervane 

scallops

Gulf of Alaska crab pot State Pots and Traps

Blue king crab, 

Dungeness crab, 

golden king crab, 

red king crab, 

Tanner crab

Strandings and

entanglement 

data

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 

state fishery jig State Hand Lines, 

Auto Jig Pacific cod

Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 

state fishery pot State Pots and 

Traps, Fish Pacific cod

Southeast Alaska crab pot State Pots and Traps

Blue king crab, 

Dungeness crab, 

golden king crab, 

red king crab, 

Tanner crab

Southeast Alaska shrimp pot State Pots and 

Traps, Shrimp

Pink shrimp, spot 

shrimp

a Aquaculture fisheries are listed for consistency with the MMPA List of Fisheries, but were not analyzed for the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Recreational 

fisheries are not included in this report.

b FMP = fisheries management plan. Note that non-federal FMPs were not identified through this process.

c Data sources were evaluated only for federal fisheries and non-federal fisheries with federal data-collection programs.

Table 4.3.1 (continued)

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mus monopterygius). The status of groundfish stocks are 

summarized in annual stock assessment and fishery evaluation reports developed by NMFS and the NPFMC. For 

several groundfish stocks, fisheries occur in both Federal 

and state waters. These “parallel” groundfish fisheries are 

the pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel fisheries conducted with the same time and area restrictions and under 

the same total allowable catches as established for Federal 

fisheries. Several groundfish species are not managed by 

the Federal government because they are not covered by 

the groundfish FMPs for the GOA and BSAI. These include 

lingcod (Ophiodon elongates), groundfish caught in recreational fisheries (largely rockfish), black rockfish (Sebastes 

melanops), and blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus). 

The single international fishery in the region, the Pacific 

halibut fishery, is managed under a bilateral treaty between 

the U.S. and Canada, and with research and quota recommendations from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Under the North Pacific Halibut Act, NMFS is 

authorized to develop regulations that are in addition to, but 

not in conflict with, the regulations adopted by the IPHC. 

The NPFMC develops allocation and limited entry regulations for the commercial Alaska portion of the halibut fishery. 

4.3.2. Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns 

Bycatch concerns in Alaska Region fisheries are complex, 

due to multispecies interactions, the use of quotas to allocate fishing privileges, and the large scale (both in harvesting capacity and geographic extent) of the fisheries. The 

NMFS staff work closely with the NPFMC to develop and 

implement fisheries regulations, which has been crucial to 

addressing regional bycatch issues. 

BSAI/GOA Groundfish

Bycatch of fish in the Federal groundfish fisheries may 

occur when discard is required by regulation (regulatory 

discard) or when fish are discarded because they have 

low value or for some other economic reason (economic 

discard). Species-specific regulatory discards occur when 

regulations require certain species to be discarded to avoid 

exceeding allowable catch limits. Catch limits are also set 

for commercially important species that are caught incidentally in other groundfish fisheries. Regulations also require 

some species that are processed to achieve or exceed 

specified product-recovery rates, to discourage waste during processing. 

The NPFMC has long recognized the need to reduce bycatch, minimize waste, collect the information necessary to 

monitor fisheries, and improve utilization of fish resources 

to the extent practicable. To meet this need, the NPFMC 

and NMFS have supported numerous actions to establish 

areas with special bycatch limits, reduce incentives to discard fish, and improve the selectivity of fishing gear. These 

actions include:

•	 Limited-access privilege and license limitation programs 

that reduce the incentives for vessel operators to maximize their harvest in order to obtain a larger share of 

available quota. There are seven Federal limited-access 

programs in the Alaska Region: the American Fisheries 

Act (AFA) Vessels Program, the non-American Fishery 

Act trawl limited-access program (Amendment 80 to the 

Groundfish of the BSAI FMP); the Rockfish Pilot Program 

(Amendment 68 to the Groundfish of the GOA FMP); the 

Crab Rationalization Program; the Halibut and Sablefish 

IFQ Program; Scallop License Limitation; and Groundfish 

License Limitation. 

•	 Annual specifications for harvest and overfishing limits 

that are scientifically based on the best available data 

and subject to established protocols. On an annual basis, 

the Council recommends harvest and overfishing levels 

to the Secretary of Commerce. The process for establishing these benchmarks is described in the groundfish 

FMPs for the GOA and BSAI. In brief, the benchmarks 

are created as a joint effort between stock assessment 

scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), 

FMP-specific Plan Teams, the Scientific and Statistical 

Committee of the NPFMC, and the NPFMC. Harvest 

levels, including incidental catches, for FMP species are 

maintained below the overfishing level through in-season 

actions by NMFS.

•	 Management programs designed to limit incidental catch 

and increase the retention and utilization of bycatch 

species. These programs include regulations that allow 

bycatch to be donated to food banks, regulations that 

require vessels to retain a certain amount of speciesFigure 4.3.1 

Management jurisdiction for Alaska Region fisheries (percentages are based on numbers of 

fisheries, not volume or revenue).

State

62% (48)

Federal

35% (27)

International

3% (2)

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specific bycatch, and regulations that require processors 

to create products that yield a certain amount of product 

from pollock and Pacific cod.

•	 Cooperative work between industry, NMFS, the Sea 

Grant Program, and the state to develop modifications 

to gear that reduce bycatch of halibut, salmon, and seabirds. In recent years, several exempted fishing permits 

have been issued to study modifications to trawl gear 

designed to reduce salmon bycatch in the BSAI pollock 

fishery, and halibut bycatch in the GOA trawl fisheries. 

Preliminary results from these studies are encouraging, 

but further work will be needed before widespread implementation of the technology.

•	 In addition, several cooperative studies established 

methods to reduce seabird bycatch using streamer lines 

(also called bird lines or tory lines) which are now required on longline vessels by Federal regulation. These 

lines extend from a high point near the stern of the vessel to a weighted buoy. As the vessel moves forward the 

weight creates tension in the line producing a span from 

the stern where the streamer line is aloft. When used in 

pairs, a fence-like effect is created by short, brightly colored lines that hang off the main streamer line.

•	 Regulations that allow industry to control fleet behavior to 

avoid areas of high bycatch, including the use of industrysponsored cooperative agreements under AFA and other 

limited-access programs. The BSAI polluck cooperatives 

reach inter-cooperative agreements about bycatch reduction, over-harvest, area closures, data management, 

voluntary salmon and halibut bycatch reduction measures, and compliance with Steller sea lion conservation 

measures.

•	 Establishing area-specific bycatch limits and area closures. These include trawl closures in near-shore areas 

of Bristol Bay and other important habitat areas. These 

also include the Red King Crab Savings Area and the 

Salmon Savings Areas, which are specific hot-spot area 

closures that allow vessels to keep fishing for targeted 

species while reducing bycatch for these species. 

•	 Amendments to the observer program to increase coverage in rationalized fisheries (fisheries where fisheries 

have some type of ownership of the resource, such as 

the limited-access priviledge programs described above) 

and require all fishing days to be observed. Increased 

coverage is critical to obtain the data needed track and 

manage individual catch and bycatch quotas. Sampling 

protocol has also been made more efficient, and in some 

situations more accurate, through the use of flow scales 

(allowing observers to accurately and precisely measure 

the size of larger samples than was previously possible) 

and other sampling modifications. One of the most substantive changes is that observers now collect and individually record at least three samples for species composition from each sampled haul or fishing event (previously, samples were pooled). This change allows NMFS 

to better understand the statistical properties of the data 

and the estimates derived from that data, including the 

within-haul variance.

State of Alaska Managed Fisheries

The FMPs for crab, scallop, and salmon delegate substantial management authority to the state. The scallop and 

crab fisheries in the BSAI are jointly managed by the state 

and Federal governments, while the salmon FMP delegates 

most management authority to the state. As a result, the 

state has certain delegated responsibilities that are described in the FMPs. Below is a brief summary of these 

fisheries. 

The state and the NPFMC jointly manage six crab stocks 

in the BSAI under the BSAI King and Tanner Crabs FMP, 

whereas the state manages crab stocks in the GOA. For 

BSAI crab stocks, the BSAI Crab Plan Team provides recommendations to the NPFMC about annual harvest and 

overfishing levels. The six BSAI crab stocks are Bristol Bay 

red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus), Bering Sea 

Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi), Bering Sea snow crab 

(Chionoecetes opilio), St. Matthew Island blue king crab 

(Paralithodes platypus), and Pribilof Islands red and blue 

king crabs. The Plan Teams have expertise in regulatory 

management, natural and social science, and crab stock 

assessment. All recommendations from a Plan Team must 

be designed to meet the requirements of the MSA and other 

applicable laws. 

The state controls the opening and closing of all crab fisheries and is the primary entity that monitors harvest. The 

harvest of crab is monitored by the ADFG using an onboard 

observer program (different from the Federal observer program) and a shoreside reporting system. Bycatch of crab 

is controlled through state and Federal regulations for pot 

gear (e.g., escape openings), limits on the number of pots, 

and reporting requirements. The incidental mortality of crab 

species in non-crab fisheries is controlled through the use 

of prohibited species catch limits, which are set in concert 

with red king crab abundance and the closure of certain 

areas to trawl fishing. In addition, all crab fisheries have 

minimum size limits, restrictions that allow the harvest of 

male crabs only, and fishing seasons that protect crabs during spawning and molting periods.

The FMP for the scallop fishery off Alaska delegates most 

management measures to the state, excepting license 

limitation requirements in Federal waters. The fishery is 

monitored by State of Alaska observers who collect data 

on bycatch (notably crab and halibut bycatch), retained and 

discarded scallop catch, size composition, product recovery, and effort and location information. Bycatch of king, 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Tanner, and snow crabs is controlled through the use of 

bycatch limits and the use of bycatch hotspot analysis by 

scallop fishermen. In 2000, six of the ten licensed scallop 

vessel owners formed a cooperative which allocates harvest shares based on past fishing history. The formation of 

this cooperative resulted in lower harvest rates and allowed 

vessels to reduce bycatch of crab species. 

While most salmon fishery management responsibilities 

are carried out by the state, NMFS is responsible for monitoring salmon bycatch in the groundfish fisheries and, in 

some instances, monitoring marine mammal bycatch in 

directed salmon fisheries (see below for discussion of the 

Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program). Management 

of salmon bycatch taken in the Federal groundfish fisheries must be consistent with requirements established in the 

MSA and other applicable laws. The NMFS is required under the ESA to consult with other affected regions on any 

Federal action that may adversely affect ESA-listed salmon 

caught in the groundfish fisheries. As a result, any take of 

ESA-listed surrogate stocks is reported and necessary action is taken by NMFS. Currently, NMFS has determined 

that any adverse effect from the groundfish fishery is limited to two ESA populations: Lower Columbia River (LCR) 

Chinook and Upper Willamette River (UWR) Chinook. The 

NMFS Northwest Region completed a supplemental BiOp 

on the effects of the Alaska groundfish fisheries on ESA-listed salmon. The supplemental BiOp concluded that the BSAI 

and GOA groundfish fisheries are not likely to jeopardize 

the continued existence or adversely modify critical habitat 

for the UWR and LCR ESA-listed Chinook salmon stocks.

The Bering Sea pollock fishery accounted for the majority 

of salmon bycatch, with Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and chum (Oncorhynchus keta) being the predominant 

salmon species caught. Overall bycatch rates in this fishery for all species were generally low compared with other 

fisheries in the region. During the past several years, the 

pollock industry has developed industry-based contractual 

agreements to address salmon bycatch by moving vessels 

away from areas with high bycatch amounts (“hot spots”). 

The NPFMC has continued to work towards a reduction in 

salmon bycatch. In 2008, the NPFMC considered a regulatory amendment (BSAI FMP Amendment 84b) that would 

limit the amount of salmon caught in the pollock fishery. 

Given the general concern regarding salmon bycatch in the 

groundfish (especially pollock) fisheries, Chinook and nonChinook (generally chum but also some sockeye) salmon 

were designated as key stocks through the qualitative process described in Section 3.

Currently, four federally managed fisheries and 11 statemanaged fisheries are classified as MMPA Category II 

fisheries in Alaska. Marine mammal interactions in Federal 

fisheries are reported by observers deployed by NMFS. 

The NMFS, through the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer 

Program (AMMOP), contracts observers to fulfill the MMPA 

obligations of the agency in state fisheries. 

4.3.3 Data Sources

Monitoring groundfish harvest by non-recreational fisheries in Alaska is a joint effort of NMFS and the state. NMFS 

conducts real-time monitoring of total catch (landed catch 

plus at-sea discards) for in-season management, using a 

combination of observer information and mandatory industry reports, which are submitted with an electronic reporting 

system.

Table 4.3.1 lists sources of bycatch data available for federally managed Alaska Region fisheries and those Alaska 

State fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection programs. Several data sources were used to estimate bycatch, including observer reports, at-sea production reports 

(which included reports of discards), and landings reports 

(“fish tickets”). 

Data collected by the observer program were used to estimate discards of FMP and prohibited species caught in 

the groundfish fisheries. Prohibited species included Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), salmon, several crab 

species, herring (Clupea pallasi), and groundfish species 

that were near their annual harvest limits. Regulations require prohibited species to be returned to the sea unless 

retention is required under other applicable laws.

4.3.3.1 Observer Programs

Alaskan fisheries are covered by two NMFS observer programs (Table 4.3.2). The AMMOP conducts observer coverage of state-managed fisheries classified in Category II 

under the MMPA annual List of Fisheries, including salmon 

set and drift gillnet and purse seine fisheries. The North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (NPGOP) covers Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish trawl, 

longline, and pot fisheries. In 2005, a total of 35,683 sea 

days were observed by the NPGOP. The AMMOP targeted 

663 permitted fishing vessels in 2005 in the Yakutat gillnet 

fishery. All NPGOP-observed fisheries were considered to 

have adequate or near-adequate coverage levels for the 

purposes of overall catch and bycatch estimation (see detailed discussion below), while the AMMOP provided baseline/pilot level coverage for the fisheries it observes. 

Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program

The AMMOP was initiated in 1990 with the objective of observing Alaskan fisheries listed as Category II by the annual MMPA List of Fisheries due to “occasional” incidental 

serious injuries/mortalities of marine mammals. Most of the 

fisheries of interest are state-managed, and many have 

very large numbers of participants (more than 1,000). Because of the large numbers of participants and the modest 

funding, observer coverage as a percentage of either permits or net days was far lower than observer coverage for 

the federally regulated fisheries. 

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ALASKA REGION

Observer Program U.S. National Bycatch Report Fisheries

Authority to 

Place Observers

Program 

Duration

Coverage 

Level

Alaska Marine 

Mammal Observer 

Program (AMMOP)

Cook Inlet Drift Gillnet

MMPA Cat. II 

(50 CFR 229)

 1999–2000

Number of 

permits 

sampled varies 

by fishery 

(generally from 

2 to 8%).

Cook Inlet Salmon Set Gillnet 1999–2000

Kodiak Salmon Set Gillnet 2002 and 2005

Peninsula/Aleutians Salmon Drift Gillnet 1990

Prince William Sound Salmon Drift Gillnet 1990–91

Prince William Sound Salmon Set Gillnet 1990–91

Yakutat Salmon Set Gillnet 2007–08

Bering Sea, 

Aleutian Islands, 

and Gulf of Alaska 

Groundfish Trawl, 

Longline, and Pot 

Fisheries

Aleutian Islands/Eastern Bering Sea Atka Mackerel Trawl

MSFCMA (50 

CFR 679.50)

1976–present 

(The program 

started in 

the foreign 

fishery and 

the domestic 

program was 

initiated in 

1990)

2005–2008: 

100% vessels 

> 125 ft and

30% vessels 

60–124 ft and 

30% or 100% 

shore plants

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish Group (Arrowtooth 

Flounder, Flathead Sole, Other Flatfish) Trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Greenland Turbot Longline

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Jig

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Longline

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Pot

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pollock Trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Rock Sole Trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Longline

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Pot

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Trawl

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Yellowfin Sole Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Arrowtooth Flounder Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Flatfish (Deepwater Flatfish) Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Flatfish (Shallow Water Flatfish) Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Flathead Sole Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Jig

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Longline

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Pot

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Pollock Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Rex Sole Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Rockfish (Northern Rockfish, Pelagic Shelf 

Rockfish, Pacific Ocean Perch) Trawl

Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Longline

Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Trawl

Table 4.3.2 

Current Alaska Region federal observer programs and fisheries observed (coverage level across all fisheries). 

Programs and observed fisheries are listed alphabetically. Observer programs that ended over 10 years ago are 

not listed, except for MMPA Category II salmon gillnet fisheries, which are observed on a rotating basis.

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The AMMOP has conducted observer programs for 7 of the 

14 Category II fisheries. The Prince William Sound set and 

drift gillnet fisheries were observed in 1990 and 1991, the 

Alaska Peninsula/Aleutians salmon drift gillnet fishery was 

observed in 1990, Cook Inlet salmon set and drift gillnet 

fisheries were observed in 1999 and 2000 (Manly 2006), 

the Kodiak Island salmon set gillnet fishery was observed 

in 2002 and 2005 (Manly 2007), and a pilot project was 

implemented for the Yakutat salmon set gillnet fishery in 

2006, and was followed by a full observer program in 2007 

and 2008 (see http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/

observers/mmop.htm).

North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program

The observer program for federally managed groundfish 

fisheries was authorized in 1990 and implemented by 

NMFS, effective 7 February 1990 (55 CFR 4839, 12 February 1990). Under this program, NMFS provides operational oversight, certification training, definition of observer 

sampling duties and methods, debriefing of observers, and 

management of the data. Vessel and processing plant owners pay the cost of the observers, while the costs associated with managing the program are paid for by the Federal 

government. The design and focus of the NPGOP is on 

estimating fish and prohibited species catch and bycatch; 

protected species (marine mammal and seabird) bycatch 

information is also recorded. 

Observer coverage is generally determined based on the 

size of the vessel prosecuting the fishery and, in several 

fisheries, the fishery in which the vessel is participating. 

Coverage levels for vessels harvesting groundfish are 

specified under the FMP, and are divided into three general 

categories: 1) vessels under 60 feet of length overall (LOA) 

are not required to carry observers; 2) vessels longer than 

60 feet and shorter than 125 feet are required to carry observers on 30% of their fishing days; and 3) vessels 125 feet 

and longer are required to carry observers on 100% of their 

fishing days. Shoreside processors that process between 

500 and 1000 metric tons of groundfish in a calendar month 

are required to have observers present 30% of the days 

that they receive or process groundfish. Shoreside processors that process 1,000 metric tons or more of groundfish 

in a calendar month are required to have observers present 

100% of the days that they receive or process groundfish. 

Observer coverage levels have been increased to implement certain limited-access programs with increased monitoring needs, such as the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program, AFA pollock fishery, and 

more recently, the Rockfish Pilot Program and Groundfish 

of the BSAI Management Area FMP Amendment 80.

Detailed information about observer sampling protocols and 

extrapolations can be found in the North Pacific Groundfish 

Observer Sampling Manual (available at http://www.afsc.

noaa.gov/fma/document.htm#Manuals1). In general, observers follow a standard sampling protocol (e.g., simple 

random sampling or systematic sampling). The observer 

information is shared with NMFS Alaska Regional office 

(AKR), which uses the data provided from observed hauls, 

together with industry-reported data (see details in next section), to calculate discard levels on unobserved hauls and 

trips using algorithms implemented in an Oracle database. 

Bias in NPGOP observer data occurs because vessel operators decide when to take observers. Therefore, random 

sampling assumptions cannot be supported. For example, 

operators can choose to take observers knowing they will 

be fishing in low-bycatch areas or areas that are otherwise 

non-representative for a variety of reasons. In fisheries 

with 100% observer coverage, observers are present at all 

times, so vessel selection bias does not occur.

4.3.3.2 Logbooks

Hard-copy (paper) logbooks are required to be completed 

and submitted for all BSAI/GOA groundfish vessels (may 

include the use of catch and/or product logs, product transfer logs, effort logs, or other records, as specified in regulations) greater than 60 feet. The logbook program has been 

in place since 1991 and has been used largely for enforcement purposes. Estimates of harvest and bycatch are obtained from the electronic reporting systems described in 

Section 4.3.3.3, and from observer information. The NMFS 

Alaska Region would like to move toward electronic logbooks; however, full implementation is likely several years 

away. A small number of vessels are currently participating 

in an electronic logbook program. 

4.3.3.3 Electronic Reports of Catch and Production

The NMFS Alaska Region, the State of Alaska, and the 

IPHC have implemented a joint electronic reporting system 

to reduce reporting redundancy and consolidate fishery 

landing information into one database. Vessels in both Federal and state fisheries report groundfish landing information through an electronic reporting application known as 

the Interagency Electronic Reporting System (IERS). There 

are different reporting requirements for vessels that catch 

and process groundfish (catcher/processors), vessels that 

do not process fish (catcher vessels), vessels that only receive and process fish (mother ships), and shoreside processing plants. 

Production Reports: Production reports are mandatory for 

catcher/processors, mother ships, and shoreside processors. Collections are daily for shoreside processors and 

weekly for the at-sea fleet of catcher/processors and mother ships (starting in 2008, production reports will be sent 

daily from the at-sea fleet). Production reports include gear 

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ALASKA REGION

type, area fished, and a breakdown of the weight of each 

species and product. At-sea production reports also include 

the weight or number of each species that was discarded at 

sea. All data collected from production reports are stored in 

a database and undergo internal validation checks.

Landing Reports: Landing reports (ADFG “fish tickets”) are 

mandatory and originate from catcher vessels making deliveries to a shoreside plant or mother ship. The collection 

period is trip-based for shoreside processors and weekly 

for mother ships. Landing reports include gear type, NMFS 

and/or ADFG area fished, a breakdown of the weight and 

condition of each species delivered, the fishing start date, 

and the delivery date. Delivering vessels report at-sea discard to the processing facility, but these data are not verifiable. Therefore, at-sea discard estimates are obtained by 

creating species-specific bycatch rates based on information collected by the NPGOP and applying these rates to 

groundfish production or landing information. A detailed 

description of bycatch estimation in the Federal groundfish fisheries is in Section 4.3.4. All landing report data are 

stored in a database and undergo internal validation. 

4.3.3.4 Other Data Sources

Strandings reports: strandings reports, sometimes called 

entanglement reports, are an important source of information on serious injury and mortality of marine mammals incidental to commercial fisheries for some geographic areas and for some species. In Alaska, most reports are of 

humpback whales entangled in various types of pot gear, 

gillnet gear, and miscellaneous line gear in Southeast Alaska. These reports may be submitted by researchers or the 

general public. Reports are used to assess relative levels 

of bycatch under the MMPA only when no better data exist 

to assess the level of bycatch (i.e., observer data would be 

used if available); the report is considered reliable; and the 

report clearly describes a mortality or an injury that is likely 

to lead to mortality of the entangled animal, as determined 

by regional NMFS Protected Resources Resources (PR) 

staff.

4.3.4 Alaska Region Bycatch 

Estimation Methods

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) and NMFS 

AKR estimated catch and bycatch for federally managed 

commercial fisheries and a few state-managed commercial 

fisheries in Alaska. The AKR and AFSC collaborated on estimates for the federally managed commercial groundfish 

fisheries in the BSAI and GOA Federal management areas. 

A small number of state fisheries are observed by the AMMOP, which is managed by the AKR and focuses on collecting bycatch data on marine mammals in certain state commercial fisheries. Accurate estimates of catch and bycatch 

are vital to the management, conservation, and scientific 

understanding of marine species that are impacted by commercial groundfish fisheries.

The Catch Accounting System (CAS)

The AKR manages groundfish and prohibited fish species 

catch (PSC), described in Section 4.3.4.1.1, under the 

groundfish FMPs for the BSAI and GOA. The AKR uses a 

combination of observer data and industry reports to estimate catch and bycatch to calculate total fishing mortality. 

In general, bycatch rates for fish are estimated from observer data; the rates consist of the total amount of a specific bycatch species caught, divided by the total amount 

of groundfish caught (including groundfish discards). Estimates are stratified by species, gear, area, and time. These 

bycatch rates are then multiplied by unobserved catch to 

provide a total estimate of fish and prohibited species bycatch. Rates are computed as metric tons of bycatch per 

metric tons of catch in all cases except for salmon and crab, 

which are computed in numbers per metric ton of catch. 

The procedures used for catch and bycatch estimation for 

FMPs and prohibited species support in-season management of complex allocation schemes and harvest limits, and 

ensures that fisheries do not exceed TAC or violate other 

fishery restrictions, such as time and area closures. Prohibited species are required to be returned to the sea unless 

retention is required under other applicable laws. The procedures for estimating bycatch accommodate two important 

management components: first, the estimation procedures 

are designed to provide a quick turn-around (one or more 

days, up to a week) of the data so that in-season management has useable rates as quickly as possible after receiving landing reports and observer data. The system makes 

maximum use of small amounts of observer data quickly 

(at coarser aggregation levels), which are updated and refined as more data become available. Secondly, although 

complex, the system was designed so that changes to the 

management structure could be reflected in the catch accounting structure, to allow in-season management to stay 

current with fisheries regulations and specifications.

Five types of bycatch are estimated for the federally regulated Alaska commercial fisheries: prohibited species bycatch, non-target species bycatch, groundfish discards, 

marine mammal serious injury/mortality, and seabird mortality. Note that the CAS does not calculate marine mammal 

serious injury/mortality and seabird mortality. Methods used 

to determine these estimates differ markedly from those 

used for fish bycatch and PSC accounting. Further details 

of all methods are provided below.

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4.3.4.1 Alaska Fish Bycatch Estimation Methods

4.3.4.1.1 Prohibited Species Bycatch Estimates

Bycatch management measures for groundfish fisheries in 

the BSAI and GOA have specific means to limit or reduce 

incidental catch species traditionally harvested by other fisheries. These species include salmon, Pacific halibut, Pacific 

herring, red king crab, Tanner crab, and snow crab. Collectively, these species are referred to as prohibited species. 

Regulations require that in the groundfish fisheries, PSC 

are returned to the sea with no additional injury. For Pacific 

halibut estimates, discard mortality rates (DMRs) are used 

to determine the fraction of the estimated halibut bycatch 

that dies. Observer data are used to estimate DMRs in the 

groundfish fisheries off Alaska, and NMFS manages these 

fisheries according to a schedule of DMRs that vary by fishery, gear, and area (Williams and Chen 2004).

All available observer data are used to estimate daily PSC 

bycatch rates at six levels of aggregation (Table 4.3.3). As 

landings data are received, PSC bycatch estimates are created by finding the best possible matching rate (e.g., the 

rate with the best resolution) and multiplying the landed 

catch by the rate. The rates are calculated in numbers of 

individuals for crab and salmon, and total weight of halibut 

and herring. All rates are specific to a given calendar year 

(i.e., 2006 information is not used for 2007).

4.3.4.1.2 Non-Target Species Bycatch Estimates

Non-target species include forage fish and a variety of 

species that are not specified for harvest, such as grenardiers, as well as species that are harvested within the 

fishery but are not targets (sharks, skates, sculpins, and 

octopus). Although they are not managed in-season, estimates of non-target species bycatch are important to stock 

assessment scientists and ecosystem modeling conducted 

by the ASFC. The AKR estimates bycatch amounts for approximately 50 non-target species groups and makes the 

results available to AFSC staff. The estimation methods for 

non-target bycatch estimation are similar to those for PSC 

bycatch estimation.

4.3.4.1.3 Groundfish Landings and Bycatch 

(Discard) Estimates

Different accounting methods are used to estimate groundfish retained catch and discards for vessels that catch 

and process fish (catcher/processors), vessels that do not 

process fish (catcher vessels), vessels that only receive 

and process fish (mother ships), and shoreside processing plants. For large catcher/processors and mother ships, 

which typically have 100% observer coverage, observer 

information is used for retained catch and bycatch accounting. 

Resolution Type of Rate Type of Information Aggregated

Aggregation 

Level

High Catcher vessel-specific a Vessel-specific: date trip started, fishing gear, federal 

reporting area Low

Catcher/processor vessel-specific b Vessel-specific: week end date, and whether the trip 

occurred in the GOA or BSAI

Sector-specific 3-week moving average Processing sector, target species, week end date, fishing 

gear, federal reporting area 

3-week moving average Target species, week end date, fishing gear, federal 

reporting area

3-month moving average Target species, week end date, fishing gear, and whether 

fishing occurred in the GOA or BSAI

FMP area rate Target species, gear, FMP area

3-month moving average Target species, week end date, fishing gear, and whether 

fishing occurred in the GOA or BSAI

Low FMP area rate Target species, gear, FMP area High

aA Catcher Vessel is a fishing vessel that delivers its catch to a mother ship, to shore plants or to catcher/processors vessels.

bA Catcher–Processor is an at-sea fish processing vessel that catches, process, freezes, and stores aboard groundfish (primarily pollock and cod).

Table 4.3.3

Types of aggregated information used to calculate bycatch 

rates for PSC and non-target species. Note that there must be 

at least three observed hauls from which to calculate a rate.

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For catcher/processors and catcher vessels with 30% coverage, mandatory industry reports are used to estimate retained catch. Any catch that is delivered to a shoreside plant 

and then discarded is accounted for using bycatch reported 

by the plant. At-sea groundfish discards are estimated from 

observer data collected from the same component of the 

fleet (i.e., catcher vessels using the same gear and fishing 

in the same area and target fishery). Bycatch rates on observed vessels are then applied to the reported groundfish 

catch on unobserved vessels. 

Similar to the procedure described for prohibited species, 

estimates of at-sea groundfish discards are based on deterministic criteria that match observer data with unobserved vessels. Two approaches are used to determine 

a level of aggregation, depending on availability of data; 

both are based on 14-day centered moving averages: 

•	 aggregated based on target species, gear type used, 

and Federal reporting area

•	 aggregation similar to that described above; however, 

instead of aggregation at the higher-resolution Federal 

reporting area level, aggregation occurs at the broader 

FMP-area level

4.3.4.2 Species Bycatch Estimates for 

Protected Species 

4.3.4.2.1 Marine Mammal Serious Injury/Mortality 

Estimates—Groundfish Fisheries

Observer-recorded marine mammal injuries/mortalities in a 

particular haul are assigned to one of 21 separate federally regulated fisheries based on information from the AKR 

CAS (see Section 4.3.4), which provides information on 

haul location, gear type, and fish target species. Detailed 

descriptions of injured marine mammals provided by observers are assessed by AFSC staff to determine whether 

the injury was serious and thus likely to lead to mortality 

of the marine mammal. Observed serious injury/mortality 

rates per observed metric ton of groundfish catch for each 

separate fishery are stratified by four-week period, statistical area, vessel class, and processing sector. The rate for 

each stratum is extrapolated to the total serious injury/mortality estimate for the stratum by multiplying the rate by the 

total catch for that stratum. The sum of the stratum totals 

provides an estimate of the annual incidental serious injury/mortality levels for a variety of species of marine mammals in Alaska. Bycatch rates and confidence intervals are 

calculated using data and extrapolated estimates based 

only on observed bycatch of marine mammals in randomly 

sampled, monitored fishing sets. Confidence intervals are 

based on a lognormal approximation. The natural log-transformation approximation is used to derive 95% confidence 

limits through calculations using the extrapolated bycatch 

values and their corresponding coefficients of variation. 

This is done to avoid reporting negative lower confidence 

limits using the normal approximation. However, the standard errors and coefficients of variation are still calculated 

using the normal approximation because the bycatch data 

values cannot be transformed directly due to the preponderance of zero values. Considerable additional information on the method is provided in Perez (2006).

4.3.4.2.2 Seabird Mortality Estimates

Seabird mortality occurs in groundfish fisheries when birds 

are hooked on longline gear during the set, captured in 

pots, caught in trawl nets, or entangled in trawl gear (trawl 

door cables, third wire cable, or parts of the netting on a 

trawl). Mortalities may also occur due to birds flying into a 

vessel’s rigging or superstructure. Standard observer sampling accounts for birds hooked on longline gear, caught in 

pots, or included with fish catch in a trawl cod end. Seabird 

mortalities from other sources are not directly monitored but 

are noted in logbooks in an ad hoc manner when observed. 

For longline or pot gear, reports by observers of additional 

mortality not directly associated with the fishing gear occur 

infrequently. In some sectors of the trawl fleet, however, ad 

hoc reports indicate that seabird mortalities from interactions not accounted for by standard sampling may be substantial. 

Current sampling and analytical methods only provide estimates of seabird mortalities from standard observer sampling techniques. Rate-based estimates of bycatch of seabirds in the trawl fisheries are based on the total weight of 

groundfish caught per haul or set, as is the case for estimates of mammal mortality. Bycatch rates for seabirds in 

the logline and pot fisheries are based on estimates of the 

amount of gear deployed, and total bycatch estimates are 

obtained by expanding to the total amount of gear in a given 

stratum. This approach was adopted for consistency with 

analyses of seabird bycatch in commercial longline fisheries in other parts of the world. Catch rates and estimates of 

bycatch are calculated for each four‐week period (minimum 

stratum level) by year; statistical area; gear type; vessel 

class and/or processing sector (catcher/processor, mother 

ship/processor, or catcher‐only vessel delivering to shoreside plants); and targeted groundfish catch species (fishery 

designation). Four‐week periods were used to approximate 

monthly periods because the CAS provides only data summarized by weeks. No seabird bycatch estimates were 

made for strata that consist only of data from unobserved 

vessels. The extrapolated takes of all strata are summed 

to obtain the total extrapolated bycatch by year and area. 

Rates and variance of incidental take for each stratum are 

calculated from the sum of observed seabird bycatches in 

species-composition monitoring of fishing operations, divided by the sum of the effort (in tons for trawl sets, hooks 

for longline sets, and pots for pot sets) of groundfish catch 

(retained and discarded, including prohibited fish species) 

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in the sampled catch of monitored hauls. Total extrapolated 

bycatch is estimated by the stratified random sampling ratio-estimation method (Cochran 1977; Levy and Lemeshow 

1999). The fraction of hauls observed in the total fishery is 

unknown; therefore, the percentage of total effort sampled 

is used as a basis for determining the fraction of total effort 

observed. A report is currently in preparation that describes 

these methods in greater detail (S. Fitzgerald, personal 

communication5). 

4.3.4.3 Marine Mammal Serious Injury/Mortality 

Estimates—AMMOP

Estimates of total incidental serious injury and mortality 

of each marine mammal stock in observed fisheries are 

calculated using the ratio estimation approach; estimates 

and associated CVs are provided in reports on the studies 

(Manly 2006, 2007). Estimates and associated CVs are not 

available for approximately 12 MMPA Category II fisheries 

in Alaska which have not yet been observed. 

4.3.4.4 Marine Mammal Serious Injury/Mortality 

Estimates—Entanglement/Stranding Data

Ideally, NMFS obtains estimates of marine mammal serious injury and mortality (bycatch) using independent observer programs. When data are collected using observer 

programs, observed bycatch can be extrapolated to provide 

an estimate of total bycatch, and an estimate of uncertainty 

can be calculated. Observations of dead stranded animals 

or entangled living animals can provide a minimum estimate 

of bycatch for some fisheries. When these data are used, 

great care is taken to ensure that the fishery is correctly 

identified and to ensure that the fishery was responsible for 

the injury or mortality. Although records of some stranded 

and entangled animals are excellent, many opportunistic 

records are not used for management purposes because of 

lack of information on either the severity of an injury or the 

responsible fishery. Because these observations are opportunistic, stranding and entanglement data provide only a 

minimum count of the level of bycatch in a particular fishery; 

because these are count data, there is no associated measurement of uncertainty. 

4.3.5 Tier Classification of Alaska 

Region Fisheries

The quality of bycatch data and estimation methods were 

analyzed for 33 Alaska Region fisheries with Federal management authority or relevant Federal data-collection programs. Only Federal data sources were evaluated for this 

report. Other data may be available for state, international, 

and tribal fisheries; however, these programs were beyond 

the scope of this initial report. The remaining fisheries are 

not federally managed and have no Federal data-collection 

programs, and were therefore excluded from the analysis.

Tiers were assigned to each fishery using the tier classification procedures outlined in Section 3 for fish, marine mammals, and other protected species (Table 4.3.4). Twentyseven fisheries were classified based on the quality of fish 

bycatch data and estimation methods. 

Fishery

Management 

Authority

Fish 

Tier

Marine 

Mammals 

Tiera

Other 

Protected 

Species 

Tiera

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Flatfish Group (Arrowtooth Flounder, 

Flathead Sole, Other Flatfish) Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Rock Sole Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Yellowfin Sole Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Table 4.3.4

Tier classifications for Alaska Region fisheries (2005 data). Fisheries in shaded rows 

were evaluated for this report. Grouped fisheries are listed first, alphabetically by fishery group name, then by management authority, then by individual fishery name. Nongrouped fisheries are then listed alphabetically by management authority and then by 

fishery name. Only relevant federal data sources were evaluated for this report.

5 S. Fitzgerald. Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, 

Seattle, WA 98115.

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Fishery

Management 

Authority

Fish 

Tier

Marine 

Mammals 

Tiera

Other 

Protected 

Species 

Tiera

Gulf of Alaska Flatfish Trawl Fisheries

Gulf of Alaska Arrowtooth Flounder Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Gulf of Alaska Flatfish (Deepwater Flatfish) Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Gulf of Alaska Flatfish (Shallow Water Flatfish) Trawl Federal 2 3* 3*

Gulf of Alaska Flathead Sole Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Gulf of Alaska Rex Sole Trawl Federal 3 3* 3*

Non-Grouped Fisheries

Aleutian Islands, Eastern Bering Sea Atka Mackerel Trawl Federal 3 4 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Greenland Turbot Longline Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Jig Federal 1 1 1

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Longline Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Pot Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Trawl Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean Perch Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pollock Trawl Federal 4 4 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Longline Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Pot Federal 3 3 3

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Trawl Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Jig Federal 1 1 1

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Longline Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Pot Federal 2 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Trawl Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Pollock Trawl Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Rockfish (Northern Rockfish, Pelagic Shelf Rockfish, 

Pacific Ocean Perch) Trawl Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Longline Federal 3 3 3

Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Trawl Federal 3 3 3

AK Halibut Longline International

AK Abalone State

AK Bristol Bay Salmon Drift Gillnet State

AK Bristol Bay Salmon Set Gillnet State

AK Clam State

Table 4.3.4 (continued)

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Fishery

Management 

Authority

Fish 

Tier

Marine 

Mammals 

Tiera

Other 

Protected 

Species 

Tiera

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

AK Cook Inlet Drift Gillnet State 3 3

AK Cook Inlet Salmon Set Gillnet State 3 3

AK Dungeness Crab State

AK Food/Bait Herring Trawl State

AK Groundfish Longline/Setline (Including Sablefish, Rockfish, and 

Miscellaneous Finfish) State

AK Herring Spawn on Kelp Pound Net State

AK Kodiak Salmon Set Gillnet State 3 3

AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton Sound, Kotzebue Salmon Gillnet State

AK Metlakatla Salmon Purse Seine State

AK Metlakatla/Annette Island Salmon Drift Gillnet State

AK Miscellaneous Finfish Beach Seine State

AK Miscellaneous Finfish Handline and Mechanical Jig State

AK Miscellaneous Finfish Otter or Beam Trawl State

AK Miscellaneous Finfish Pair Trawl State

AK Miscellaneous Finfish Purse Seine State

AK Miscellaneous Finfish Set Gillnet State

AK North Pacific Halibut Handline and Mechanical Jig State

AK Octopus/Squid Handline State

AK Octopus/Squid Longline State

AK Octopus/Squid Pot State

AK Peninsula/ Aleutians Salmon Drift Gillnet State 1 1

AK Peninsula/ Aleutians Salmon Set Gillnet State

AK Prince William Sound Salmon Drift Gillnet State 1 1

AK Prince William Sound Salmon Set Gillnet State 1 1

AK Roe Herring and Food/Bait Herring Beach Seine State

AK Roe Herring and Food/Bait Herring Gillnet State

AK Roe Herring and Food/Bait Herring Purse Seine State

AK Salmon Beach Seine State

AK Salmon Purse Seine (except Southeast Alaska, which is in 

 Category II) State

AK Salmon Troll State

AK Shrimp Otter Trawl and Beam Trawl (Statewide and Cook Inlet) State

Table 4.3.4 (continued)

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Fishery

Management 

Authority

Fish 

Tier

Marine 

Mammals 

Tiera

Other 

Protected 

Species 

Tiera

Non-Grouped Fisheries (cont.)

AK Snail Pot State

AK Southeast Herring Roe/Food/Bait Pound Net State

AK Southeast Salmon Drift Gillnet State 1 1

AK Southeast Salmon Purse Seine State

AK Urchin and Other Fish/Shellfish State

AK Yakutat Salmon Set Gillnetb State

Aleutian Islands State Waters Pacific Cod State

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Crab Pot State

Coastwide Scallop Dredge State

Gulf of Alaska Crab Pot State 1 1

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod State Fishery Jig State

Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod State Fishery Pot State

Southeast Alaska Crab Pot State

Southeast Alaska Shrimp Pot State

a Tier scores marked * were “cascaded” down from the fishery group that the individual fishery is part of; the individual fishery was not evaluated. 

bThe Yakutat salmon set gillnet fishery was not being observed at the time of compilation of this report, and therefore was not evaluated. Estimates for the fishery 

based on self-reported data were included. The fishery will be evaluated for the next edition of this report. 

Table 4.3.4 (continued)

Grouped fisheries were classified in a single tier for marine mammals and other protected species, based on current bycatch data-collection and estimation methods. Note 

that in Figure 4.3.2, the total number of fisheries for marine 

mammals and other protected species was based on the 

number of grouped fisheries evaluated (two) plus the number of individual fisheries evaluated (27). The total number 

of fisheries classified for fish was 27 (the number of individual fisheries evaluated). In Table 4.3.4, the tier category for 

each group was assigned to (“cascaded” down to) the individual fisheries in that group (see Section 3.2 for details). 

Six fisheries evaluated for marine mammals and other proteced species (all MMPA Category II State salmon fisheries) were not evaluated for fish, as fish bycatch data are 

not collected.

Of the Alaska Region fisheries evaluated, the majority of 

fisheries were classified as Tier 3 for fish (82%), marine 

mammals (69%), and other protected species (76%; Figure 4.3.2). For fish, one Tier 4 fishery (Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands pollock trawl), two Tier 1, and two Tier 2 fisheries 

were identified. Tier 1 made up the second largest component of marine mammal and other protected species classifications, with 24% of fisheries (7) in both categories. Additionally, two fisheries were assigned to Tier 4 for marine 

mammal bycatch data and estimation methods: Aleutian Islands, Eastern Bering Sea Atka mackerel trawl and Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands pollock trawl. No fisheries were classified as Tier 4 in the other protected species category. 

 

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Figure 4.3.2 

Alaska Region tier classifications by number and percentage, for fisheries with federal management or relevant Federal data-collection programs, for A) fish, B) marine mammals, and C) other protected species. 

A. Alaska — Fish

n = 27

Tier 3

82% (22)

Tier 2

7% (2)

Tier 1

7% (2)

Tier 4

4% (1)

C. Alaska — Other Protected Species

n = 29

Tier 3

76% (22)

Tier 1

24% (7)

B. Alaska — Marine Mammals

n = 29

Tier 3

69% (20)

Tier 1

24% (7)

Tier 4

7% (2)

4.3.6 Alaska Region Key Stocks

Thirty-six key stocks were identified in the Alaska Region 

(Table 4.3.5). As in other regions, bycatch estimates were 

not available for all species listed as key stocks. All ESAlisted species (10) found in the Alaska Region were prioritized for inclusion in the list of key species, regardless of 

whether bycatch occurs. 

Forty-two percent (15) of all Alaska Region key stocks identified are fish stocks, including the 6 individual stocks in the 

demersal shelf rockfish complex (Figure 4.3.3). This FSSI 

complex was identified as a key stock through the quantitative evaluation process outlined in Section 3. Within this 

complex, the status of yelloweye rockfish serves as an indicator for the entire group. Three species of king crab (blue, 

golden, and red) and two salmon groups (Chinook, which is 

ESA-listed, and non-Chinook) were identified as key stocks 

through the qualitative process; all are prohibited bycatch in 

groundfish fisheries due to their value as target catch in other fisheries. Two stocks, the BSAI stock of rougheye rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus) and the GOA stock of shortspine 

thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus) were removed from 

the initial list of Alaska Region key stocks identified through 

the quantitative process. These stocks are not overfished, 

have an undefined overfishing level, and have low levels 

of observed bycatch with no directed (targeted) catch. The 

species with the largest amount of discards in the Alaska 

trawl fisheries is arrowtooth flounder, however, this stock 

was not considered for key stock status because stock biomass is estimated at three times the Bmsy level and stocks 

continue to increase in abundance. In 2005 the species was 

not considered marketable for human consumption; industry continues to work to to develop markets for arrowtooth 

flounder in order to reduce the amount of discard.

Note that regional bycatch data are reported by species or 

species group rather than stocks (see tables in Appendix 

4.3). Since bycatch accounting cannot occur at a finer level 

of granularity than this, the key stocks/species described 

above were aggregated into six key species/species groups 

corresponding to species and species groups for which 

catch data were available. These species/species groups 

are: red king crab (comprising 4 stocks, as defined in Table 

4.3.5), blue king crab (2 stocks), golden king crab (1 stock), 

demersal shelf rockfish (7 species), Chinook salmon, and 

non-Chinook salmon.

Protected species make up the remaining 58% of Alaskan 

key stocks. More than half (18) of the key stocks identified 

in Alaska are marine mammals (Figure 4.3.3), 8 of which 

are currently listed as endangered or threatened under 

the ESA. Of the remaining 10 marine mammal populations 

identified as key stocks, two were added through the qualitative process due to concerns over population levels: the 

Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales and the Northern fur seal. 

The Cook Inlet beluga whale stock is at a critically low level, 

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Blue king crab, Pribilof Islands Paralithodes platypus No Yes

Blue king crab, Saint Matthews Island Paralithodes platypus No No—rebuilding

Demersal shelf rockfish:a

No Undefined

 Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger

 China rockfish Sebastes nebulosus

 Copper rockfish Sebastes caurinus

 Quillback rockfish Sebastes maliger

 Tiger rockfish Sebastes nigrocinctus

 Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina Unknown Undefined

Red king crab, Aleutian Islands Paralithodes camtschaticus Unknown Undefined

Red king crab, Bristol Bay Paralithodes camtschaticus No No

Red king crab, Norton Sound Paralithodes camtschaticus Unknown Undefined

Red king crab, Pribilof Islands Paralithodes camtschaticus No No

Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Chinook salmonb Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Unknown

Key Fish Stocks Not Listed by FSSI or ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Non-Chinook salmonb Salmonidae Not applicable

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA 

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus Endangered

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Endangered

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered

Table 4.3.5 

Key fish and marine mammal stocks and sea turtle and 

seabird populations for the Alaska Region. Overfishing/

overfished status based on 2008 Quarter 1 FSSI report. 

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Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA (cont.)

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Right whale, North Pacific Eubalaena japonica Endangered

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Endangered

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Endangered

Steller sea lion, Eastern Eumetopias jubatus Threatened

Steller sea lion, Western Eumetopias jubatus Endangered

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Not Listed by ESA 

Species/stock name 

ZMRG Stock Status Common name Scientific name c

Bearded seal Erignathus barbatus Unknown Unknown

Beluga whale, Cook Inlet Delphinapterus leucas Undermined Declining

Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Alaska Phocoena phocoena 34.7 Unknown

Killer whale, Eastern North Pacific 

Alaska Resident Orcinus orca 1.12 Unknown

Killer whale, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 

Islands, and Bering Sea Transient Orcinus orca 0.31 Unknown

Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific Callorhinus ursinus 1526.2 Declining

Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens Unknown Unknown

Ribbon seal Phoca fasciata Unknown Unknown

Ringed seal Phoca hispida Unknown Unknown

Spotted seal Phoca largha Unknown Unknown

Key Seabird Populations Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Population status

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus Endangered

Table 4.3.5 (continued)

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Figure 4.3.3 

Numbers and percentages of key stocks for 

the Alaska Region by resource type. 

Marine 

mammals

50% (18)

Seabirds

8% (3)

Non-ESA, non-FSSI

fish stocks 

3% (1)

FSSI fish stocks

36% (13)

ESA fish stocks 

3% (1)

Fish

stocks

Breakdown of 

Fish Stocks

is listed as depleted under the MMPA, and has been listed 

as Endangered under the ESA. While direct bycatch is very 

low and has not been observed in recent years, public concern about this stock is very high. The Northern fur seal is 

declining rapidly and is listed as depleted under the MMPA. 

One marine mammal, Dall’s porpoise (Alaskan stock), was 

identified as a key stock through the quantitative process 

but removed from the final list of key stocks. Although potential biological removal (PBR) and therefore the ZMRG 

are technically undetermined for Dall’s porpoise, this is because the last abundance survey is more than eight years 

old. The last survey indicated a minimum abundance of 

more than 70,000. Given the estimated annual fishery take 

of less than 30 animals, the stock is not a conservation concern at this time.

Key Seabird Populations Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Bycatch concern Population status

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes Yes Stable/Increasing/

Decreasingd

Red-legged kittiwake Rissa brevirostris No Stable

a The overfishing determination for the Demersal Shelf Rockfish group is based on the Optimal Fishing Level (OFL), which is computed by using 

estimates of yelloweye rockfish and then increased by 10% to account for the remaining members of the complex.

b Because the exact makeup of Chinook and non-Chinook salmon bycatch is not estimated, key stocks were not identified at the population level 

for Alaska, and these broad groups are counted as two key stocks despite being comprised of many sub-populations.

c Stock status based on 2007 NMFS Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/sars/ak2007.pdf

d USFWS is in the process of finalizing its black-footed albatross status assessment. The trend varies according to island colony surveyed (see 

Naughton et al. 2008a)

Table 4.3.5 (continued)

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Lastly, three seabird populations were included in the 

Alaska Region’s list of key stocks. The short-tailed albatross is ESA-listed, although it was also identified through 

the quantitative process as a species of concern. Additional 

key seabird stocks for the region include the black-footed 

albatross, identified as a key stock through the quantitative process, and the red-legged kittiwake, identified as a 

key stock through the qualitative process due to observed 

bycatch. Both of these species also occur on the 2002 USFWS list of Birds of Conservation Concern. 

4.3.7 Alaska Region Bycatch Estimates

Bycatch estimates by fishery are provided in Appendix 4.3, 

Tables 4.3.A–D. Data are from the year 2005. For marine 

mammals and other rare-event stocks/populations, multiple 

years of data were used to calculate bycatch estimates; the 

years are noted in the tables.

Estimates of fish discards were provided for 27 groundfish fisheries (Table 4.3.A), for a total of 91 stocks or stock 

groups (Table 4.3.B). For some bycatch estimates, data 

were available only at broad taxonomic levels (e.g., bycatch 

estimates were provided for benthic Urochordata, but not 

for individual tunicate species), or for a generalized group 

(e.g., miscellaneous deep fish) where individual species 

could not be identified due to sampling procedures. Major 

members of each species group are listed in Appendix I. 

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for 13 

fisheries (Table 4.3.C), for a total of 17 stocks. Seabird 

bycatch estimates were provided for 19 Federal fisheries 

(Table 4.3.D) for 12 different population groups. In some 

cases, estimates were provided only for a generalized 

group (e.g., gull or Alcid) or were for an unidentified bird 

(e.g., “unidentified seabird”). 

4.3.8 Alaska Region Fishery Bycatch 

Estimate Improvement Plans

Two “umbrella” bycatch data-collection and estimation 

improvement plans were developed for Alaska Regional 

fisheries, one for Federal groundfish fisheries and one for 

state-managed Alaskan salmon fisheries. Fisheries included in both plans were identified through the quantitative 

process as having high levels of overall bycatch and/or bycatch of key stocks. Nineteen fisheries were included under 

the improvement plan for Alaskan groundfish fisheries, and 

14 fisheries under the generic improvement plan for Alaskan State salmon fisheries (all Category II salmon fisheries 

listed under the 2008 MMPA list of fisheries). 

A total of four fisheries were removed from the list of fisheries needing improvement plans: Gulf of Alaska crab pot; 

Southeast Alaska crab pot; Alaska salmon purse seine 

(except for the Southeast portion of the fishery, which is 

a Category II fishery under the MMPA and was therefore 

included under the salmon fishery improvement plan); and 

the BSAI pollock trawl. The Gulf of Alaska crab pot, Southeast Alaska crab pot, and Alaska salmon purse seine fisheries were taken off the list because they are state fisheries 

without Federal data-collection programs. The BSAI pollock 

trawl was removed because the observer program currently 

in place provides high levels of coverage and an accurate 

accounting of catch and discards; the fishery was classified 

in the highest tier (4) of bycatch data quality and estimation 

methods for both fish and marine mammals. 

4.3.8.1 Improvement Plan for Alaskan 

Groundfish Fisheries

A generic bycatch data improvement plan was developed 

for the Federal groundfish fisheries of the BSAI and GOA. 

The approach was selected because these fisheries are 

managed under two FMPs and are subject to general (not 

fishery-specific) observer requirements and catch/bycatch 

accounting methods. Observer coverage is defined by vessel size rather than gear type or target fishery, and many 

individual target fisheries have 100% observer coverage for 

some participants, 30% coverage for others, and, in some 

cases, zero coverage. In addition to the recommendations 

outlined in the generic improvement plan, the NPGOP recommends maintaining current coverage levels for those 

components of Alaska groundfish fisheries with adequate 

coverage levels. The generic improvement plan applies to 

the following fisheries (although several fisheries have had 

changes to observer coverage requirements since 2005, 

which is the base year for this report):

•	 Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Rock Sole Trawl 

•	 Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Flatfish Group (Arrowtooth 

Flounder, Flathead Sole, Other Flatfish) Trawl 

•	 Gulf of Alaska Flatfish (Shallow Water Flatfish) Trawl 

•	 Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Longline 

•	 Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Jig

•	 Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Pot

•	 Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Longline 

•	 Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sablefish Pot 

•	 Aleutian Islands, Eastern Bering Sea Atka Mackerel 

Trawl

•	 Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Trawl 

•	 Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Yellowfin Sole Trawl 

•	 Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Sablefish Trawl

•	 Gulf of Alaska Arrowtooth Flounder Trawl 

•	 Gulf of Alaska Flatfish (Deepwater Flatfish) Trawl 

•	 Gulf of Alaska Flathead Sole Trawl

•	 Gulf of Alaska Rex Sole Trawl

•	 Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Trawl 

•	 Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Flatfish Trawl Fisheries.

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ALASKA REGION

deficiencies. Furthermore, the directed Pacific halibut 

fishery is currently unobserved. Under a new service delivery model incorporating industry cost recovery, some 

of these coverage cost increases would be borne by the 

industry, but it is recommended that appropriated funds 

would be required to meet coverage needs in some sectors. Overall annual coverage costs could increase by $5 

million or more over current costs.At present, the overall 

annual cost for the NPGOP groundfish observer program 

exceeds $20 million; the agency share of this cost is 25%, 

and the remainder of the cost is borne by industry. 

•	 Improvements to the CAS system are recommended; 

these would implement enhanced, statistically based estimation algorithms and the ability to provide uncertainty 

estimates. Some of these can be developed and implemented without change in the observer program, but 

some limitations (e.g., random sampling assumptions in 

the <100% observed sectors) must await changes in the 

observer program service delivery model. Improvements 

to the CAS will likely require additional resources and 

take two to three years to develop and implement. 

•	 In addition, new resources are required to improve estimates of seabird bycatch resulting from interactions with 

fishing vessels other than being caught in the gear. 

•	 Agency staffing resources and funding for observer DAS 

are also required for administering the observer program to accommodate proposed design changes and 

increased coverage

4.3.8.2 Improvement Plan for Category II 

State of Alaska Salmon Fisheries

Data collection for bycatch of marine mammals in Statemanaged Alaskan fisheries is implemented through the 

AMMOP. A general bycatch data-collection improvement 

plan was developed for monitoring these state fisheries. 

Management of these fisheries is the responsibility of the 

State of Alaska, and any marine mammal bycatch reduction 

requirements would be developed through a Take Reduction Plan as outlined by the MMPA Section 118. The following fisheries are included under the State of Alaska Salmon 

Fisheries generic improvement plan: 

•	 AK Bristol Bay salmon drift gillnet 

•	 AK Bristol Bay salmon set gillnet 

•	 AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet 

•	 AK Cook Inlet salmon drift gillnet 

•	 AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet 

•	 AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon drift gillnet 

•	 AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon set gillnet 

•	 AK Prince William Sound salmon drift gillnet 

•	 AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet

•	 AK Southeast salmon purse seine 

Tier Classes: vary; see Table 4.3.4.

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 The overall design of the observer program is deficient 

in a number of ways. Coverage levels are determined 

by vessel size class. Larger vessels may have one (or 

sometimes two) observers onboard during all fishing operations, allowing most or all fishing operations to be observed. Intermediate-size vessels are required to carry 

observers during 30% of their fishing days per calendar 

quarter, and smaller vessels are not required to carry observers. Under the current observer program design, the 

agency does not have the authority to determine when 

and where observers are deployed in the less-than-100% 

observed sectors. Thus, random or systematic (or even 

directed) sampling assumptions cannot be substantiated. 

In some fisheries, most (or all) observer monitoring is at 

the 100% level, so these limitations are not of concern, 

but the overall problem can be solved only by a comprehensive redesign of the observer program. However, 

changes in the program design would require FMP and 

regulatory amendments, and program needs could increase substantially (see recommendations).

•	 The CAS has been developed by the AKR to provide 

fishery-specific catch and bycatch estimates on a nearly 

real-time basis. This system integrates data provided by 

observers and the fishing industry to provide managers 

with current information on the status of each fishery and 

supports fishery-closure decision-making. Fishing mortality estimates derived from this system are also used 

during the stock assessment process. As currently designed, this system uses an approach that does not provide measures of uncertainty for catch estimates. 

•	 Analytical methods for estimating marine mammal and 

seabird bycatch have been developed and are employed 

for this purpose. These methods use generally accepted 

techniques. However, ratio estimators are used in some 

instances, and these may employ CAS-derived estimates of overall observed and unobserved fish catch. 

For the reasons outlined above, measures of uncertainty 

for these quantities are not currently calculated. Seabird 

monitoring on trawl fisheries is also deficient. Seabird 

mortalities occur due to gear interactions that are not currently monitored and are therefore not accounted for in 

current estimates.

Recommendations: 

•	 Fundamental redesign of the data-collection system (observer program) is recommended to address the problems described above. Coverage increases would be 

required in the <60-foot vessel sector (currently unobserved) and, potentially, in the sector that is currently observed at 30%, to address temporal and spatial coverage 

bK-4.3.indd 231 2/5/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

•	 AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine 

•	 AK Kodiak salmon purse seine

Tier Classes: Vary: see Table 4.3.4.

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

The AMMOP data collection for bycatch of marine mammals in Alaska State-managed salmon fisheries is deficient 

in its ability to collect data in a timely and comprehensive 

manner due to the cost of the program and current resources allocated to the program.

•	 The number of state fisheries that require monitoring for 

marine mammal bycatch varies from year to year, since 

the list is made up of Category I and II fisheries as classified by the annual MMPA-mandated List of Fisheries. 

Since 1994, the number of state fisheries in Alaska that 

are Category I or II has varied between 11 and 14, with 

the majority of those fisheries remaining on the list year 

after year. Since 1990, seven of these fisheries have 

been monitored with one- or two-year observer programs 

resulting in bycatch estimates (including only serious injury and mortalities) that provide a snapshot for the time 

period in which the study was conducted. None of those 

fisheries monitored have been monitored more than 

once. Consequently, data for some fisheries is now 17 

years old with no realistic anticipation of being updated, 

while approximately seven fisheries are still in need of 

observer coverage for even baseline bycatch estimation. 

Recommendations: 

•	 Approximately 9,000 DAS per year and three to five additional full-time equivalent (FTE) staff members are needed to improve coverage and update estimates for fisheries that have been observed, and to develop baseline estimates for fisheries that have not yet been observed. At 

present, the overall annual cost for the observer program 

is approximately $1.6 million to $2.7 million per year to 

monitor one fishery, depending on the fishery being observed. The agency provides 100% of this cost through 

several funding sources, and funding available to the program has varied from zero to approximately $800,000 per 

year. Because there is never a guarantee that enough 

funds will be available to complete an individual fishery 

monitoring study, it is extremely difficult to plan and commit to observe any given fishery. 

•	 Further, monitoring one or two fisheries at a time, each 

for a 2-year study, results in a rotational cycle in which 

each fishery will only be observed once every 14 years. 

With the past and current uncertainty in funding, this rotation has actually been much longer, and a single rotation 

through all the fisheries that require monitoring has not 

yet been completed. A more acceptable timeframe for 

monitoring would be to monitor each fishery for two years 

with a maximum of five-year intervals between monitoring periods for each fishery. To meet this timetable, it is 

recommended that 3 to 5 fisheries are monitored each 

year, assuming the number of fisheries that require monitoring remains at 14. 

4.3.8.3 Summary of Alaska Region 

Recommendations 

Table 4.3.6 outlines bycatch data-collection/estimation improvements recommended by the Alaska Region. These 

improvements will result in better bycatch estimates for all 

Alaska fisheries. The feasibility of recommendations was 

evaluated by the Alaska Regional team based on overall 

cost, available resources, and external factors. A total of 7 

recommendations are made, requiring 13 full-time staff and 

over 29,160 observer DAS split between the NPGOP and 

AMMOP program. Observer program costs for the Alaska 

Region were $18.589M for NPGOP (with $13M provided 

by the industry) and $0.183M for AMMOP in FY 2007. Resources for enhancing existing programs and implementing 

new observer programs are recommended in addition to 

current program operating costs. 

bK-4.3.indd 232 2/5/12 
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ALASKA REGION

Recommendation a Additional DAS b Feasibility

Maintain observer coverage levels on all currently observed fisheries.c ** High

Catch Accounting System (CAS) improvements and maintenance. NA High

Improve seabird monitoring and bycatch estimation. NA High

Observer program operations and administration adjustment. NA High

Increase coverage for sector observed at 30% and implement coverage for 

unobserved sectors (<60-foot vessels in Pacific halibut fishery). 20,000 High

Improve length of AMMOP observation cycle from 14 years to 5 years. 9,160 High

Hire staff to support AMMOP. NA High

Number of new full-time staff needed to implement all data quality and 

estimation method improvements recommended by the Alaska Region: 13

Total DAS requirement for all recommendations:* 29,160

* This amount is in addition to the annual requirements of Alaska Regional observer programs.

a Some recommendations may require additional resource expenditures, such as equipment, which are not itemized. b One observer DAS includes the cost for the observer deployment as well as costs for associated equipment and program administrative functions (staffing). c Cost shared between NMFS and industry.

Table 4.3.6

Summary of Alaska Region recommendations and estimated 

requirements for implementation in terms of full-time staff and 

observer DAS. All requirements are annual unless otherwise 

indicated; ** denotes no additional resource requirements. 

For further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8.

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Subtable 4.3.A.1

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS/EASTERN BERING 

SEA ATKA MACKEREL TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 17,881.67 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 441,713.25 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 5,770,348.14 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 683.62 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 131.33 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 44.88 Pounds

Bryozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 26,920.08 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 1,393.66 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 497.83 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 17,731.76 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 35,895.62 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 375.50 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 80,651.61 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 3,395.06 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 398.86 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 2.65 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 14.40 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 24.03 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 5,602.58 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 5.39 Pounds

Appendix 4.3 Alaska Regional Bycatch Estimates

Table 4.3.A

Subtables showing annual fish bycatch estimates for Alaska Region fisheries. Bycatch estimates are in live pounds or number of individuals, except 

where indicated. Estimates reflect the average from the years identified. 

Key stocks are shaded; * following the names of stock groups indicates 

fisheries for which bycatch estimates were available only for the generalized 

stock group Salmon and king crab estimates were converted from number 

of individuals to total weight, by multiplying the average weight of crab or 

salmon collected by observers by total estimated numbers.

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 234 2/5/12 
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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of subtable 4.3.A.1)

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS/EASTERN BERING 

SEA ATKA MACKEREL TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 670,164.77 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 268.76 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 70.77 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 235,297.59 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 16,187.76 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 6,038,370.40 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 3,978.60 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 6.84 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 222,730.72 Pounds

Other species* 2005 1,168,578.67 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 302,974.31 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 188,208.51 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 2,501,681.52 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 837.37 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 2.61 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 21.64 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 332.5 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 160,864.51 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 120,239.97 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 4,129.25 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 3,022.53 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 752.3 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 286.84 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 45.00 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 7,853.58 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 13,881.02 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of subtable 4.3.A.1)

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS/EASTERN BERING 

SEA ATKA MACKEREL TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 752.98 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 8.17 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 112,339.23 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 18,196.93 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, Eastern Bering Sea Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 1,158.19 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 3,092.49 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Eastern Bering Sea Theragra chalcogramma 2005 384,309.36 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 9,429.16 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 18,593,786.77 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 117,110,010.38 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 135,703,797.15 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.14

Subtable 4.3.A.2

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

FLATFISH* GROUP (ARROWTOOTH 

FLOUNDER, FLATHEAD SOLE, 

OTHER FLATFISH) TRAWL*

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 1,426,885.18 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 4,355,114.37 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 563,033.49 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 65,233.26 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 1,537.96 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 70.78 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 15,510.85 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 773.61 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 60.92 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 12,635.84 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 146,369.01 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.2)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

FLATFISH* GROUP (ARROWTOOTH 

FLOUNDER, FLATHEAD SOLE, 

OTHER FLATFISH) TRAWL*

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 504.45 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 67,437.12 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 2,277,584.10 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 11,373.36 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 704.04 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 58,153.47 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 502.9 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 11,231.99 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 16,013.26 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 2,485.11 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 44,654.71 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0.67 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 913,238.89 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 10,847.47 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 406.7 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 83,865.51 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 2,922.44 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 8,811.87 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 23,299.16 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 682.13 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 446,162.66 Pounds

Other species* 2005 2,959,984.54 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 157,191.61 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,115,761.02 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 77,241.07 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 4.44 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 880.48 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 42.83 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 24.18 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.2)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

FLATFISH* GROUP (ARROWTOOTH 

FLOUNDER, FLATHEAD SOLE, 

OTHER FLATFISH) TRAWL*

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 3,146.93 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 1,418,844.93 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 9,021.31 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 6,657.95 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 49,778.11 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 39,614.05 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 55,930.30 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 639.56 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 467,854.14 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 72,972.92 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 12,001.95 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 66,391.20 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 90,865.93 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 3,223.19 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 34,766.86 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 249,807.13 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 3,346.57 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 6,716,390.26 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 1,071,385.80 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 25,251,876.54 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 44,069,597.62 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 693,21,474.16 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.36

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

Subtable 4.3.A.3

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

GREENLAND TURBOT LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 6,713.07 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 24.07 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 1.29 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 14.84 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 9.97 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 81.93 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 44.19 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 6,963.94 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 1,591.74 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 10,117.00 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 949,470.86 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 54.14 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 45,743.66 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 872,555.95 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0.35 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 566.76 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 13.43 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 4,077.31 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 180.45 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.3)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

GREENLAND TURBOT LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 433.58 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 1,427.71 Pounds

Other species* 2005 325,053.58 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 498.24 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 26,575.04 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 33.58 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 5,502.73 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 3,899.97 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 23,534.32 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 21.80 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 267.11 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 2.96 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 1,090.65 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 11,382.45 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 2,028.25 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 135.60 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 2.87 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 79.04 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 240 2/5/12 
241

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.3)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

GREENLAND TURBOT LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 804.14 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 758.39 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 2,301,756.96 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 3,755,257.11 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 6,057,014.07 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Landings) 0.38

Subtable 4.3.A.4

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD JIG

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 0 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 0 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.4)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD JIG

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 409.32 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other species* 2005 182.98 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 1,199.31 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 242 2/5/12 
243

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.4)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD JIG

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 0 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 0 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,791.61 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 375,091.84 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 376,883.45 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) >0.0

Subtable 4.3.A.5

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 2005 868.62 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 2,177,699.39 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 51,713.77 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 655.24 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 11,090.09 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 3,233.10 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 419.66 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 243 2/5/12 
244

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.5)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 3,870.23 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 325.38 Pounds

Deep-sea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 20,663.72 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 542,334.32 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 1,209,068.72 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 312,155.03 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 1,195.10 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 134,545.75 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 3,355.09 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 478,908.32 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 139.82 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 869.81 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 8.18 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 14,844.26 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 1,769,278.52 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 7,254.14 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 300.65 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 148,246.24 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 257.00 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 53,091.66 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 87,490.34 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 1.16 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 1,095,304.53 Pounds

Other species* 2005 31,254,809.56 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 6,210,072.82 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,206,379.38 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 244 2/5/12 
245

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.5)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 4,779.62 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 89.23 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 9.33 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 75,224.136 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 115,502.25 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 61,771.25 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 14,034.61 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 29,259.72 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 15,158.78 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 178,326.63 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 25,232.04 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 581,255.29 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 307,870.77 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 35,714.84 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 12,836.39 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 34,833.84 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 11,369.86 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 22.05 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 11,332.00 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 467.14 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 1,270,551.17 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 1,320,036.07 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 50,906,126.61 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 269,207,774.47 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 320,113,901.08 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.16

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 245 2/5/12 
246

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.3.A.6

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 2005 105.82 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 10,394.78 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus 

monopterygius 2005 535,208.98 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 41.48 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 392.37 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 1,906.50 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 8.11 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 54.41 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deep-sea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 109.90 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 1,446.23 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 1,516.78 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 22.05 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 909.49 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 424.61 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 31.56 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 310,676.07 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 1,857.05 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 4.24 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellanous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 42,148.39 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 246 2/5/12 
247

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.6)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 2,563.97 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 363,910.01 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 109,144.01 Pounds

Other species* 2005 362,122.06 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 139,539.22 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 6,409.98 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 449.74 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 16,717.99 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 3,042.38 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 7,325.95 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 101.41 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 275.58 Pounds

Scypho jellies Scyphozoa 2003–05 4,458.94 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 71.64 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0.71 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 71,974.88 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 7,281.32 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 50,111.31 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 1,354.93 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 247 2/5/12 
248

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.6)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 96,525.35 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 2195.15 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 4,530.49 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 165,699.24 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 2,323,065.08 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 41,563,290.80 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 43,886,355.88 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.05

Subtable 4.3.A.7

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 2005 853,227.62 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 6,181,622.20 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus 

monopterygius 2005 1,500,625.31 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 20,230.17 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 19,576.12 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 1,350.34 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 36,118.44 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 80.98 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 26,833.64 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 67,022.48 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 89.41 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 2,121,860.77 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 1,992,912.55 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 98.32 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 248 2/5/12 
249

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.7)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 26,164.43 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 5,407.91 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 6,706.95 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 31,283.25 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 6,954.98 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 3.55 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 2,345,250.47 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 10,574.31 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 642.07 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 394,439.33 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 3,440.93 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 426,741.68 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 61,336.94 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 447.27 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 833,488.29 Pounds

Other species* 2005 3,583,682.56 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 411,199.11 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 2,997,566.15 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 347,313.63 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 213.66 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 322.29 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 11.66 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 34.40 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 23,282.29 Pounds

Rex sole – non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 10,977,404.84 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 40,487.85 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 2,301.62 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 11,184.04 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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250

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.7)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 1,336,611.13 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 31,115.78 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 703.88 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 220,890.48 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 39,287.80 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 22,747.57 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 32,797.10 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 55,866.08 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 4,316.65 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 127,240.61 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 25,880.36 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 14,537,833.07 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 2,230,601.45 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 54,035,426.77 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 149,085,225.08 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 203,120,651.85 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.27

Subtable 4.3.A.8

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 308,064.78 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 118,831.22 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 108.43 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 28.4 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 156.26 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 250 2/5/12 
251

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.8)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 41,388.77 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 4,743.63 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 1,902.59 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 5,773.90 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 6,766.51 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 10,480.27 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 10,740.91 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 10.51 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 5,228.98 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 38.17 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 4,303.65 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 1.4 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 9,155.67 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 248.42 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 59.55 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 38,896.73 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 67,571.60 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 1,177.27 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0.43 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 86,324.48 Pounds

Other species* 2005 132,453.57 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 38,043.67 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 273,394.93 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 251 2/5/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.8)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 46.55 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 6.96 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 2,804.19 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 4,612.07 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 28,139.77 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 126.6 Pounds

Sea pens amd whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0.72 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 149.27 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 3,423.68 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 1,017.80 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 22,438.62 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 322.98 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 47,684.37 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 15,716.74 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 74.51 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 13,267.40 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,305,726.93 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 21,808,952.76 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 23,114,679.69 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.06

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 252 2/5/12 
253

ALASKA REGION

Subtable 4.3.A.9

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 93,248.81 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 481,356.73 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 265,213.58 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 369.73 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 23.97 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 218.51 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 296.30 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 498.21 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 463,579.01 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0.30 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 6,590.87 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 22,264.33 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 180,185.80 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 1,997,793.57 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 6,484.76 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 2.15 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 26,907.39 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 20.39 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 5,526.37 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 27.03 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 1,358,963.62 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 180.15 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 727.14 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 217,592.96 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 759.73 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 64.72 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 55.86 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 244,348.40 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 253 2/5/12 
254

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.9)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Non-Chinook salmon Salmonidae 2005 3,293,666.98 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 23,183.78 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 3,551.64 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 9,445.30 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 62,836.76 Pounds

Other species* 2005 1,323,223.95 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 67,024.86 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 46.50 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 224,214.43 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 539,263.28 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0.79 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 334.60 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 6.77 Pounds

Pricklebacks Stichaeidae 2003–05 143.85 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 1,221,258.07 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 8,578.18 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 72.75 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 5,628.39 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 12,396,189.14 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 804.44 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 2,338.75 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 77,428.96 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 200,275.76 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 7,228.95 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 6,688.52 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 1,573.43 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 128.13 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 680,877.05 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 254 2/5/12 
255

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.9)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 575.15 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 47.38 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 1,385,438.32 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 116,642.03 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 27,032,017.28 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 3,211,477,747.33 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 3,238,509,764.61 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO 0.01

Subtable 4.3.A.10

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

ROCK SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 2,974,074.27 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 690,207.00 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 15,701.30 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 479,267.13 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 3,831.60 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 1,956.20 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 998.4 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 304.41 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 2,214.29 Pounds

Deepsea smelts Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 5,481.08 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 10.48 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 1,894,635.00 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 401,924.27 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 255 2/5/12 
256

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.10)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

ROCK SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 2,680.82 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 1,380.73 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 24,751.09 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 34,453.47 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 142,375.88 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 648,019.48 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 25,323.08 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 421.83 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 38,255.24 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 736.34 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 39,887.45 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 3,263.14 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 225,165.06 Pounds

Other species* 2005 1,742,134.82 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 214,540.39 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,687,083.75 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 886.26 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 46.51 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 231.49 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 4.69 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 32.83 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 224,745.99 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 5,928,655.29 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 791.46 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 256 2/5/12 
257

ALASKA REGION

continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.10)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

ROCK SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 725,589.44 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 27,997.45 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 40.80 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 1,509,412.06 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 1,498.41 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 44,502.34 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 405,378.77 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 259,371.07 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 70.55 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 346,076.62 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 23,201.27 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 7,567,827.73 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 2,866,394.01 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 31,233,833.04 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 61,301,368.30 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 9,253,521.34 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Landings) 0.34

Subtable 4.3.A.11

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 36,640.78 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 51.25 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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258

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.11)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 1.68 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 567.30 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 1,517.10 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 749.57 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 72.75 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 518,891.38 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 341.46 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 22,670.11 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 608,455.41 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 4.28 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 50.12 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 56.17 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 1,673.23 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 41.15 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 46.79 Pounds

Other species* 2005 72,373.27 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 2,420.67 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 258 2/5/12 
259

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.11)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 20,223.28 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 68.34 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 151.07 Pounds

Rex sole,non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 4.41 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 11,450.80 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 1,073.65 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 8,829.50 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 12.21 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 3.00 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 108.41 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 15,890.17 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 6,274.35 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 12.68 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 133.11 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 134.11 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 105.82 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,331,099.38 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 1,851,866.84 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 3,182,966.22 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Landings) 0.42

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.3.A.12

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 71,087.97 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 46.30 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0.38 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0.47 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 206.51 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 101.21 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 985.40 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 654.77 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 1,446.23 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 9,768.50 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 3,360.18 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 20,827.05 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 6,377.24 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 38.76 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0.41 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0.65 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 46.39 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 1,498.99 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0.18 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0.27 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 627.41 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 260 2/5/12 
261

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.12)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 11.02 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 724.29 Pounds

Other species* 2005 4,404.83 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 3,357.64 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,466.22 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 13.23 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0.13 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 771.62 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 1,827.63 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 374.79 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 60,058.26 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 70.72 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 8.10 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 413.53 Pounds

Shallowwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 10.29 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 1,047.19 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 6,393.35 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 54.62 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 987.98 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 218.79 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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262

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.12)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 246.09 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 32,445.39 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 771.62 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 232,752.60 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 2,082,134.25 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 2,314,886.85 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.1

Subtable 4.3.A.13

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 0 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 280.77 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 240.30 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 0 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 75.85 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 262 2/5/12 
263

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.13)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 1.93 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 517.03 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 3.67 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 28.40 Pounds

Other species* 2005 74.96 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 136.69 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 231.72 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 20.41 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 263 2/5/12 
264

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.13)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 28.88 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 6.20 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 0 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 152.12 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 393.50 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 10,191.96 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 12,384.39 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 73,624.75 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 86,009.14 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.14

Subtable 4.3.A.14

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

YELLOWFIN SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 17,561,672.23 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Atheresthes stomias 2005 538,687.87 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 53,867.69 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 2,891,413.15 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 2,626.02 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 90.39 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 62,343.49 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 264 2/5/12 
265

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.14)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

YELLOWFIN SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 1,109.00 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 3,348.16 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 2,611.93 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 25,027.62 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 237.17 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 1,240,186.93 Pounds

Flathead sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 632,730.35 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina 2005 240.01 Pounds

Greenland turbot, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 13,953.04 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 991.30 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 161,133.40 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 106,070.07 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 1,170,870.08 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 1,516,859.55 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 34,059.45 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 306.18 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 181,951.11 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 2,287.97 Pounds

Northern rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes polyspinis 2005 6,825.50 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 4,980.24 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 5,294.87 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 1,021,749.49 Pounds

Other species* 2005 3,984,220.13 Pounds

Pacific cod, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Gadus macrocephalus 2005 371,123.53 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,261,355.94 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 265 2/5/12 
266

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.14)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

YELLOWFIN SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pacific ocean perch, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes alutus 2005 2,244.30 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 165.46 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 901.95 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 84.32 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 69.39 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 283,005.32 Pounds

Rex sole, non-FSSI stock Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 8,844,900.17 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 132.28 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 360,442.38 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 10,592.04 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 143.29 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 3,862,318.25 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 2,582.34 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, non-FSSI stock Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 265,484.57 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio 2005 1,713,577.19 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 22,278.82 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 15.43 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 657,969.24 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 3,718.58 Pounds

Walleye pollock, Aleutian Islands Theragra chalcogramma 2005 7,191,563.03 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 2005 12,220,841.39 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 68,303,253.60 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 184,682,304.16 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 252,985,557.76 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.27

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 266 2/5/12 
267

ALASKA REGION

Subtable 4.3.A.15

GULF OF ALASKA 

ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 4,546,790.65 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 2,193.60 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 132.63 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 26,673.70 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 696.70 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 72.36 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 53.53 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 65.58 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 12,489.68 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 195,847.42 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 1,207.35 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 3,721.47 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 337,040.10 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 62,518.17 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 195.07 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 87,035.84 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 395.83 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 83.64 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 1,829.90 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 17,105.07 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 125,586.18 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 266.70 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 91.88 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 30,964.30 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 267 2/5/12 
268

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.15)

GULF OF ALASKA 

ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 1,951.06 Pounds

Northern rockfish, western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 56,292.77 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 448.27 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 6,820.52 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 14,319.99 Pounds

Other species* 2005 266,534.15 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 358,305.87 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,110,440.85 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 149,960.46 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 2,343.50 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 22,438.62 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 1.71 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 410.00 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 161,589.83 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 13,562.82 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 579.82 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 81,308.59 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 6,882.69 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 1,451.32 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 14.87 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 20,923.03 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 23,113.24 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 82,423.39 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 2,447.13 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 5,829.02 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 287,621.34 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 1,505.13 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 941.51 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 268 2/5/12 
269

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.15)

GULF OF ALASKA 

ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 61,315.80 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 1,873.05 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western /central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 33,386.77 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 8,230,094.47 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 23,919,130.51 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 32,149,224.98 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.26

Subtable 4.3.A.16

GULF OF ALASKA 

FLATFISH (DEEPWATER FLATFISH) TRAWLa

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 3,536.21 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 617.29 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 0 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

a The bycatch ratio for this fishery is reflective of low fishing effort, rather than an inherent low bycatch character of the fishery.

bL-4.3 Appendix tables.indd 269 2/5/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.16)

GULF OF ALASKA 

FLATFISH (DEEPWATER FLATFISH) TRAWLa

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 2,957.35 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0.61 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, western /central Gulf of 

Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 6.61 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other species* 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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271

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.16)

GULF OF ALASKA 

FLATFISH (DEEPWATER FLATFISH) TRAWLa

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 2.75 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 365.09 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 2.94 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 0 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western /central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 0 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 7,488.85 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 1,051,683.84 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 1,059,172.69 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.01

Subtable 4.3.A.17

GULF OF ALASKA FLATFISH 

(SHALLOW WATER FLATFISH) TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 1,954,314.06 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 54,921.49 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 1,216.75 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 7,656.65 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 2,392.27 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 6.55 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.17)

GULF OF ALASKA FLATFISH 

(SHALLOW WATER FLATFISH) TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 414.31 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 37,868.76 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 117.89 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 20.36 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 52,130.44 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king Crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 1,001.15 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 929.73 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 558.17 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 143.45 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 10,009.09 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 233,559.71 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 2,528.70 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 407.19 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 34,723.87 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 8,512.66 Pounds

Northern rockfish, western /central Gulf of 

Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 11,750.62 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 395.36 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 35.06 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 86,021.62 Pounds

Other species* 2005 361,308.56 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 1,005,022.32 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,225,707.12 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.17)

GULF OF ALASKA FLATFISH 

(SHALLOW WATER FLATFISH) TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 25,507.45 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 2.13 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 59.72 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 160.94 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0.26 Pounds

Pricklebacks Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 409.56 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 8,789.82 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 2,769.00 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 17,065.96 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 4,947.54 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 21,152.31 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 12.79 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 77,604.22 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 498,226.48 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 7,690.45 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 2,107.62 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 3,306.93 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 63,995.71 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 648.24 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 13.65 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 1,820.90 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 5,355.43 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 1,470.83 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western /central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 27,346.11 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 5,864,137.96 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 10,563,660.87 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 16,427,798.83 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Landings) 0.36

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.3.A.18 GULF OF ALASKA FLATHEAD SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 3,504,840.94 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 440.92 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 10.17 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 1,426.39 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 1,087.22 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0.78 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 45.14 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 110.51 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 4,409.24 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 1,425.43 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 16,017.47 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 241,434.55 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 61.60 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 339.78 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 20.66 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 872.89 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 9,330.03 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 237.55 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 9,180.69 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 25,086.37 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.18) GULF OF ALASKA FLATHEAD SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 49.24 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 1,319.44 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 3,325.74 Pounds

Other species* 2005 162,923.62 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 41,433.63 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 72,167.53 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 18,677.54 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 1,576.51 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified Polychaeta 2003–05 0.84 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 1,398.21 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 101,602.12 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 1,543.23 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 218.26 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 111.77 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 472.49 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0.66 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 33,945.50 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 313.06 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 70,761.69 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 321.87 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 64,758.51 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 1,401.91 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 1,604.38 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 28,576.70 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 343.35 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.18) GULF OF ALASKA FLATHEAD SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 176.37 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 4,425,402.50 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 2,891,707.46 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 7,317,109.96 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.6

Subtable 4.3.A.19 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD JIG

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME 

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 0 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 0 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

Subtable 4.3.A.19 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD JIG

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME 

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Northern rockfish, western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 293.95 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other species* 2005 4.41 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 668.00 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.3.A.19 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD JIG

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME 

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 0 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 0 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 966.36 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 7,209,809.20 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 7,210,775.56 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0

Subtable 4.3.A.20 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 208,281.47 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 3,035.76 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 356,189.43 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 245.46 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 58.36 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 39.01 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 1,227.97 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.20) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 2.20 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 151.02 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 9,733.40 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 120,826.34 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 27.12 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 1,897.22 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 292,119.60 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 1,570.59 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 225,473.39 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 282,039.24 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 41.90 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 45,237.04 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 135.79 Pounds

Northern rockfish, western/central Gulf of 

Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 4,470.97 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 3,455.37 Pounds

Other apecies 2005 491,445.07 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 98,589.95 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 240,316.81 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,221,207.09 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 8.82 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 16,214.98 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.20) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pricklebacks Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 97.00 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 27,451.93 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 21,415.68 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 85,955.93 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 1,562.94 Pounds

Sea pen and whips Octocorallia 2003–05 190.46 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 400,596.58 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 3,425.98 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 118,890.01 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 2,740.34 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 3,822.81 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 428,939.69 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 28.40 Pounds

Snow crab, Bering Sea Chionoecetes opilio

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 950.52 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 1,212.96 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0.90 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 1,871.72 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 4,723,195.22 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 22,205,996.74 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 2,692,919,1.96 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.18

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

Subtable 4.3.A.21 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 5,974.52 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 38,684.47 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 4.59 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 258.15 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 168.21 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 3.28 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 5,401.88 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 277.78 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 1,428.09 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 425.76 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 248.32 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 318,262.58 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 2,098.57 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 104,987.41 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.21) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Northern rockfish, 

western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 2,632.32 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 207,470.17 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 155,224.65 Pounds

Other species* 2005 371,897.35 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 257,876.61 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 100,601.60 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 59.52 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 17,467.20 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 33.07 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 7,597.12 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 4.41 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 459.05 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 178.27 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 3.67 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 1,355,474.03 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 5,134.56 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 44.09 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 7,556.05 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 5.2 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 102,171.66 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.21) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 492.68 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 3,425.98 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3,074,032.87 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 51,964,701.92 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 55,038,734.79 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.06

Subtable 4.3.A.22 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 1,076,000.06 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 5,857.68 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 6.00 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 46,138.29 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 1,615.54 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 1.46 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 62.01 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 249.70 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 43,433.22 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 206.66 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 487.21 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 23,172.76 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 620.92 Pounds

Golden king crab, Aleutian Islands Lithodes aequispina

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 4,720.63 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.22) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 1,911.82 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 727.83 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 1,278.90 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 88,353.06 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 12,500.20 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 30.48 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 1.24 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 130,395.31 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 666.84 Pounds

Northern rockfish, 

western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 6,671.18 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 2,979.18 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 43.95 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 31,405.14 Pounds

Other species* 2005 156,100.32 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 62,542.86 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 1,437,414.15 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 10,408.01 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 6.29 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 55.70 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 8,992.64 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 81.92 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 8,280.55 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 2,306.03 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 553.36 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 637.14 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 7,747.55 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 844.62 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.22) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 5.64 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 37,082.05 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 135,667.91 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 19,693.14 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 1,858.49 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 40,679.65 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 286.71 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 299.39 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 330.49 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 1,270.86 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 1,305.55 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 34,389.87 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3,448,378.16 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 31,255,118.20 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 34,703,496.36 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.1

Subtable 4.3.A.23 GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 510,645.11 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 26.46 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0.00 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 56,552.62 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.23) GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 191,339.58 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 923.02 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 781,206.28 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 20,522.81 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 33,375.18 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 213.96 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 40,211.34 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 8.22 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0.05 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 27,179.64 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 112.77 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 63.64 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 2,762.39 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 54.40 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 53,757.04 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 3,790.58 Pounds

Northern rockfish, 

Western/Central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 43.36 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 404,707.89 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 649.83 Pounds

Other species* 2005 625,135.43 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 11,311.91 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 5,288.59 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 55,311.71 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 2.20 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.23) GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 6,969.55 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 171.96 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 79.18 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 2,429.49 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 548.95 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 31,371.74 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 753.98 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 158,956.91 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 81.18 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 187.77 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 1,071.03 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 3,309.13 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 47,439.75 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 6,801.25 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 1,201.52 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 0 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 324.76 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 4.92 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 2,382,901.01 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 5,469,800.09 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 143,715,905.41 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 149,185,705.50 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.04

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Subtable 4.3.A.24 GULF OF ALASKA REX SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 3,443,074.10 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 13,227.72 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 126.54 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 4,605.45 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 457.33 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 7.72 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 140.24 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 3.64 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 3,581.86 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deep water flatfish* 2005 105,819.56 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 76.21 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 55.93 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 40,829.56 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 2,754.17 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 34.43 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 2,432.95 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 149.84 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 21.69 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 59.22 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 23,228.31 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 709.84 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 65.04 Pounds

Miscellaneousdeep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 30,795.44 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 462.09 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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289

ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.24) GULF OF ALASKA REX SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Northern rockfish, western/central Gulf of 

Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 61,949.82 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 151.38 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 26.07 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 19,209.63 Pounds

Other species* 2005 63,764.22 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 30,688.31 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 117,850.37 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 254,402.12 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 403.12 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 350.53 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 22.22 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 81.36 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 66,813.21 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 9,380.66 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 2,392.01 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 204.67 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 384.64 Pounds

Sea pens whips Octocorallia 2003–05 14.84 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 15,479.26 Pounds

Shallow water flatfish* 2005 249.12 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 145,154.39 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 1,102.31 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 220.46 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 32,348.39 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 608.99 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 284.84 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 6,964.14 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.24) GULF OF ALASKA REX SOLE TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 1,879.39 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 482.81 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 4,505,582.16 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 4,568,268.79 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 9,073,850.95 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.5

Subtable 4.3.A.25

GULF OF ALASKA ROCKFISH (NORTHERN 

ROCKFISH, PELAGIC SHELF ROCKFISH*, 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH) TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 1,518,368.09 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 223,735.86 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 97.02 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 32,377.05 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 3.78 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 145.96 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 5,947.84 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 3,243.64 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 123,626.27 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 8,644.81 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 217.00 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 19,636.55 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 201,176.72 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 13,842.56 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.25)

GULF OF ALASKA ROCKFISH (NORTHERN 

ROCKFISH, PELAGIC SHELF ROCKFISH*, 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH) TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 177,279.20 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 46.16 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 1,085.55 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 43,798.33 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 20,161.25 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 787.28 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 17.82 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish Teleostomi 2003–05 278,478.13 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 16,298.40 Pounds

Northern rockfish, 

western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 247,547.96 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 806.16 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 520.80 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 39,390.36 Pounds

Other species* 2005 81,198.36 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 82,986.31 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 577,588.27 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 942,481.66 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 1,080.39 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 127,330.03 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 3.20 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 63,473.21 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 516,540.26 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 14,989.21 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 295,502.86 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 2,740.79 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.25)

GULF OF ALASKA ROCKFISH (NORTHERN 

ROCKFISH, PELAGIC SHELF ROCKFISH*, 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH) TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 4,806.91 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 33.18 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 5,052.29 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 50,631.30 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 3,540.62 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 21,697.87 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 49,004.29 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 122,437.98 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 648.14 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 4,472.48 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 1,412.96 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 822.82 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 38,957.84 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 5,986,713.78 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 47,750,722.91 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 53,737,436.69 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.11

Subtable 4.3.A.26 GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 356,581.85 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 13.23 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 12.96 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 42,474.21 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 8.59 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 65.60 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 196.64 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.26) GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 688.22 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 24,570.49 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 158.73 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 147.03 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 264.55 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 2,229,538.74 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 127.20 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 8.91 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 4,418,987.04 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 65.66 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 13,342.01 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 206,967.52 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 29.95 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 35,226.31 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 845.78 Pounds

Northern rockfish, 

western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 308.65 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 208.70 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 770.97 Pounds

Other species* 2005 770,172.97 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 111,059.94 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 655,301.66 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.26) GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 1,285.29 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 482.83 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 73,832.72 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 63,206.46 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 429,680.44 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 99.60 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 465.08 Pounds

Sea pens and whips Octocorallia 2003–05 162.36 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 2,546.31 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 16,380.33 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 26,052.73 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 142,092.17 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 86,458.58 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 260,663.25 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 20.99 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 307.30 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 334.46 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 1.47 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 238.10 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 9,972,454.58 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 31,517,893.47 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 41,490,348.05 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.24

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.3.A.27 GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH TRAWLb

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alaska plaice, non-FSSI stock Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus 2005 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 2005 0 Pounds

Atka mackerel, non-FSSI stock Pleurogrammus monopterygius 2005 0 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 0 Pounds

Bivalves* Bivalvia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Blue king crab Paralithodes platypus 2005 0 Pounds

Brittle star, unidentified* Ophiuroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Capelin Mallotus villosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 0 Pounds

Deepsea smelts* Bathylagidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Deepwater flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Demersal shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys pacificus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0 Pounds

Flathead sole, Gulf of Alaska Hippoglossoides elassodon 2005 0 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis 2003–05 0 Pounds

Golden king crab, non-FSSI stock Lithodes aequispina 2005 0 Pounds

Greenland turbot, non-FSSI stock Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 2005 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Grenadier* Macrouridae 2005 0 Pounds

Gunnels* Pholidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Hermit crab, unidentified* Paguroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Herring Clupea pallasi 2005 0 Pounds

Invertebrate, unidentified* Invertebrata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Large sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous deep fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 0 Pounds

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2003–05 147.25 Pounds

Non-Chinook salmon* Salmonidae 2005 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

b In 2005, vessels in the “Gulf of Alaska sablefish trawl fishery” caught sablefish as part of the Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl fishery

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(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.27) GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH TRAWLb

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Northern rockfish, 

western/central Gulf of Alaska Sebastes polyspinis 2005 0 Pounds

Octopus* Octopoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Other sculpins* Cottidae 2003–05 26.71 Pounds

Other species* 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific cod, Gulf of Alaska Gadus macrocephalus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific hake Merluccius productus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 2005 0 Pounds

Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp. 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Polychaete, unidentified* Polychaeta 2003–05 0 Pounds

Pricklebacks* Stichaeidae 2003–05 0 Pounds

Red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus 2005 0 Pounds

Rex sole, Gulf of Alaska Glyptocephalus zachirus 2005 0 Pounds

Rock sole, non-FSSI stock Paraplagusia bilineata 2005 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae 2005 0 Pounds

Rougheye rockfish, Gulf of Alaska Sebastes aleutianus 2005 0 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 0 Pounds

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea anemone, unidentified* Actinaria 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 2003–05 0 Pounds

Sea star* Asteroidea 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shallow-water flatfish* 2005 0 Pounds

Shark* Elasmobranchii 2003–05 0 Pounds

Shortraker rockfish Sebastes borealis 2005 0 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead, Gulf of Alaska Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae 2005 0 Pounds

Snails* Gastropoda 2003–05 0 Pounds

Snow crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes opilio 2005 0 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera 2003–05 0 Pounds

Squid* Decapoda 2005 0 Pounds

Surf smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 2003–05 0 Pounds

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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ALASKA REGION

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.A.27) GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH TRAWLb

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Tanner crab, non-FSSI stock Chionoecetes bairdi 2005 0 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/cucumbers* Echinodermata 2003–05 0 Pounds

Walleye pollock, western/central Gulf of Alaska Theragra chalcogramma 2005 0 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, non-FSSI stock Limanda aspera 2005 0 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 173.96 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 108,353.4 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch +Landings) 108,527.36 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.0

Table 4.3.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Table 4.3.B 

Summary of Alaska region bycatch by stocks and species. All estimates are live weights. 

The species bycatch ratio is the total regional bycatch of a species / (total regional landings of the species + total regional bycatch the species); see Chapter 3 for details on ratio 

calculation. * following the names of species groups indicates landings were not available 

by species, as it was not possible to determine the exact composition of the bycatch and the 

proportion of bycatch and landings to allocate to each species. ** indicates that a bycatch 

ratio could not be developed because bycatch estimates were provided in both numbers of 

individuals and in pounds, or because landings were not available. Confidential landings are 

not presented. Key species have been shaded.

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT 2005 LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Alaska plaice, Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islandsc

Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 22,927,964.22 Pounds

22,927,964.22 Pounds See footnote – **

Alaska plaice, nonFSSI stockc

Pleuronectes 

quadrituberculatus 0 Pounds

Arrowtooth flounder, 

Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands

Atheresthes stomias 15,299,302.19 Pounds

32,427,709.25 Pounds 42,157,859.00 Pounds 0.44

Arrowtooth flounder, 

Gulf of Alaska Atheresthes stomias 17,128,407.06 Pounds

Atka mackerel, Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands

Pleurogrammus 

monopterygius 8,874,589.78 Pounds

9,216,700.51 Pounds 129,482,451.00 Pounds 0.07

Atka mackerel, nonFSSI stockPleurogrammus 

monopterygius 342,110.73 Pounds

Benthic Urochordata* Urochordata

See species column

3,459,633.32 Pounds – – **

Big skated Raja binoculata 517,567.63 Pounds See footnote – **

Bivalves* Bivalvia 46,004.66 Pounds – – **

Blue king crabe Paralithodes platypus 5,432.46 Pounds See footnote – **

Brittle star, 

unidentified* Ophiuroidea 82,884.50 Pounds – – **

Byrozoans/hydroids* Bryozoa 119,258.95 Pounds – – **

Capelinf Mallotus villosus 60,914.52 Pounds See footnote – **

Chinook salmone Oncorhynchus 

tshawytscha 721,067.22 Pounds See footnote – **

Deepsea smelts Bathylagidae 0.30 Pounds – – **

Deepwater flatfish* 537,420.22 Pounds – – **

Demersal shelf 

rockfish* 160.93 Pounds – – **

Eelpouts* Zoarcidae 304,554.65 Pounds – – **

Eulachon (smelt) Thaleichthys 

pacificus 824,831.56 Pounds ^ – **

Flatfish* Pleuronectiformes 6,070,956.90 Pounds – – **

Flathead sole, Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands

Hippoglossoides 

elassodon 8,566,835.84 Pounds 9,311,878.34 Pounds 31,867,547.00 Pounds 0.23

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ALASKA REGION

Table 4.3.B (continued)

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT 2005 LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Flathead sole, Gulf of 

Alaska

Hippoglossoides 

elassodon 745,042.50 Pounds

Giant grenadier* Albatrossia pectoralis See species column 4,465,720.64 Pounds – – **

Golden king crab, 

Aleutian Islandse Lithodes aequispina 16,927.02 Pounds

17,081.34 Pounds See footnote – ** Golden king crab, nonFSSI stocke Lithodes aequispina 154.32 Pounds

Greenland turbot, 

Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands

Reinhardtius 

hippoglossoides 443,060.29 Pounds

443,060.29 Pounds 5,219,457.00 Pounds 0.08

Greenland turbot, nonFSSI stockReinhardtius 

hippoglossoides 0 Pounds

Greenlings* Hexagrammidae

See species column

39,377.00 Pounds – – **

Grenadier* Macrouridae 7,009,930.42 Pounds – – **

Gunnels* Pholidae 150.69 Pounds – – **

Hermit crab, 

unidentified* Paguroidea 212,343.71 Pounds – – **

Herringe Clupea pallasi 1,560,716.15 Pounds See footnote – **

Invertebrate, 

unidentified* Invertebrata 1,406,843.01 Pounds – – **

Lanternfishes* Myctophidae 851.57 Pounds – – **

Large sculpins* Cottidae 9,376,890.16 Pounds – – **

Longnose skated Raja rhina 652,545.48 Pounds See footnote – **

Miscellaneous crabs* Decapoda 97,424.86 Pounds – – **

Miscellaneous 

crustaceans* Crustaceamorpha 2,452.87 Pounds – – **

Miscellaneous deep 

fish* Teleostomi 56.13 Pounds – – **

Miscellaneous fish* Teleostomi 2,167,723.56 Pounds – – **

Non-Chinook salmon*e Salmonidae 3,351,606.73 Pounds See footnote – **

Northern rockfish, 

Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands

Sebastes polyspinis

7,044,607.46 Pounds – – ** Northern rockfish, 

western/central Gulf of 

Alaska

Sebastes polyspinis

Octopus* Octopoda 806,814.47 Pounds – – **

Other osmerids* Osmeridae 432,614.87 Pounds – – **

Other sculpins* Cottidae 4,554,067.80 Pounds – – **

Other species* 50,263,783.94 Pounds – – **

Pacific cod, Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands

Gadus 

macrocephalus 7,881,278.40 Pounds

10,083,490.97 Pounds 546,748,030.00 Pounds 0.02

Pacific cod, Gulf of 

Alaska

Gadus 

macrocephalus 2,202,212.57 Pounds

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Table 4.3.B (continued)

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT 2005 LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Pacific hakef Merluccius productus

See species column

46.5 Pounds See footnote – 0.11

Pacific halibute Hippoglossus 

stenolepis 15,297,086.32 Pounds See footnote – **

Pacific ocean perch, 

Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islands

Sebastes alutus 3,747,335.92 Pounds

5,204,153.21 Pounds 42,818,965.00 Pounds 0.11

Pacific ocean perch, 

Gulf of Alaska Sebastes alutus 1,456,817.29 Pounds

Pacific sand lancef Ammodytes 

hexapterus 441.48 Pounds 441.48 Pounds See footnote – **

Pandalid shrimp* Pandalus spp.

See species column

16,043.35 Pounds – – **

Pelagic shelf rockfish* 194,412.19 Pounds – – **

Polychaete, 

unidentified* Polychaeta 270.34 Pounds – – **

Pricklebacks*f Stichaeidae 2,393.25 Pounds See footnote – **

Red king crabe Paralithodes 

camtschaticus 630,336.38 Pounds See footnote –

Rex sole, Gulf of 

Alaska

Glyptocephalus 

zachirus 413,108.30 Pounds

413,108.30 Pounds 8,005,331.00 Pounds 0.05

Rex sole, non-FSSI 

stock

Glyptocephalus 

zachirus 0 Pounds

Rock sole, Bering Sea/

Aleutian Islands

Paraplagusia 

bilineata 28,675,860.54 Pounds

28,675,860.54 Pounds 62,235,112.00 Pounds 0.32

Rock sole, non-FSSI 

stock

Paraplagusia 

bilineata 0 Pounds

Rockfish, unspecified* Sebastidae

Bycatch not available at 

stock level; See species 

column

936,317.55 Pounds – – **

Rougheye rockfish, 

Bering Sea/Aleutian 

Islandsg

Sebastes aleutianus 32,646.00 Pounds

178,459.57 Pounds See footnote – **

Rougheye rockfish, 

Gulf of Alaskag Sebastes aleutianus 145,813.57 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria

See species column

1,105,877.08 Pounds 37,351,512.00 Pounds 0.03

Scypho jellies* Scyphozoa 15,061,185.85 Pounds – – **

Sea anemone, 

unidentified* Actinaria 336,984.73 Pounds – – **

Sea pens and whips* Octocorallia 29,776.95 Pounds – – **

Sea star* Asteroidea 8,754,192.18 Pounds – – **

Shallow-water flatfish* 736,451.11 Pounds – – **

Shark* Elasmobranchii 1,188,318.84 Pounds – – **

Shortraker rockfishg Sebastes borealis 266,044.71 Pounds See footnote – **

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ALASKA REGION

Table 4.3.B (continued)

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGSb

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT 2005 LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Shortspine thornyhead, 

Gulf of Alaskac

Sebastolobus 

alascanus 150,500.58 Pounds

150,500.58 Pounds See footnote – **

Shortspine thornyhead, 

non-FSSI stockc

Sebastolobus 

alascanus 0 Pounds

Skate, unidentified* Rajidae

See species column

1,302,690.13 Pounds – – **

Snails* Gastropoda 446,260.26 Pounds – – **

Snow crab, Bering 

Seae Chionoecetes opilio 2,329,203.23 Pounds

2,329,216.88 Pounds See footnote – **

Snow crab, non-FSSI 

stocke Chionoecetes opilio 13.65 Pounds

Sponge, unidentified* Porifera

See species column

525,502.33 Pounds – – **

Squid* Decapoda 97,424.86 Pounds – – **

Surf smeltf Hypomesus pretiosus 655.25 Pounds See footnote – **

Tanner crab, Eastern 

Bering Seae Chionoecetes bairdi 1,158.19 Pounds

1,699,916.47 Pounds See footnote – **

Tanner crab, non-FSSI 

stock Chionoecetes bairdi 1,698,758.28 Pounds

Urchins/dollars/

cucumbers* Echinodermata 71,397.83 Pounds 71,397.83 Pounds – – **

Walleye pollock, 

Aleutian Islands

Theragra 

chalcogramma 38,730,903.03 Pounds

41,638,388.97 Pounds 3,410,064,761.00 Pounds 0.01

Walleye pollock, 

eastern Bering Sea

Theragra 

chalcogramma 384,309.36 Pounds

Walleye pollock, 

western/central Gulf of 

Alaska

Theragra 

chalcogramma 2,523,176.58 Pounds

Yellowfin sole, Bering 

Sea/Aleutian Islands Limanda aspera 20,001,800.77 Pounds

20,001,800.77 Pounds 188,105,064.00 Pounds 0.1

Yellowfin sole, nonFSSI stock Limanda aspera 0 Pounds

a Bycatch at the stock level is listed only for species with bycatch of more than one substock. If one or no substocks occur, total bycatch is listed in the species column. 

b Landed weights are for catch sold only. 

c Landings were not available from the NMFS commercial landings database for these species. Alaskan plaice may be included under Other Pacific flatfish, while the landin

for shortspine thornyhead may be included under Pacific rockfishes. Both categories are too general to compare landings to bycatch. These landings may be available at t

regional level; however, for national consistency NMFS has elected to use the national landings database in this report. Landings from both species are being identified and w

be included in future editions of this report. 

d Landings were not available from the national database for big or longnose skates. It is possible that landings for these species are included in landings of “skates,” along w

other skate species. Within the national database, Alaska Region landings for skates were listed as 20,726,120 pounds in 2005, but this value cannot be used to develop 

bycatch ratio for skate species, as the exact composition of the landings is unknown.

e Landing this species is prohibited in Federal groundfish fisheries.

f

 Species is not landed (forage/non-target species).

g Landings were not available for several landed rockfish species. It is possible that landings for these species are included in the landings for “rockfish,” along with oth

rockfish species. Alaska Region landings for rockfish were 166,705 pounds in 2005, but this value cannot be used to develop a bycatch ratio for rockfish species, as the exa

composition of the landings is unknown.

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Table 4.3.C 

Subtables showing average annual marine mammal bycatch estimates in 

Alaska Region fisheries. Estimates are of incidental mortality and serious 

injury, in number of individuals, and reflect the annual averages for the 

years listed. Key stocks/populations are shaded.

Subtable 4.3.C.1 AK COOK INLET SALMON SET GILLNETa

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Humpback whale, Central North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2001–05 0.20 Individuals NA

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.20 Individuals

a Minimum documented entanglements, derived from the NMFS stranding database.

Subtable 4.3.C.2 AK KODIAK SALMON SET GILLNET

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Alaska Phocoena phocoena 2002, 2005 35.80 Individuals 0.68

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 35.80 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.C.3 AK SOUTHEAST SALMON DRIFT GILLNETb

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Humpback whale, Central North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2001–05 0.20 Individuals NA

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.20 Individuals

b Minimum documented entanglements, derived from the NMFS stranding database.

Subtable 4.3.C.4 AK YAKUTAT SALMON SET GILLNETc

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Humpback whale, Central North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2001–05 0.20 Individuals NA

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.20 Individuals

c Minimum documented entanglements, derived from self-reported data. This fishery is currently observed, and updated estimates will be included in future 

editions of this report.

Subtable 4.3.C.5

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, EASTERN BERING SEA ATKA 

MACKEREL TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 0.49 Individuals 0.31

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.49 Individuals

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Table 4.3.C (continued)

Subtable 4.3.C.6

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

FLATFISH TRAWL FISHERIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Bearded seal Erignathus barbatus 2001–05 0.36 Individuals 0.67

Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea Phocoena phocoena 2001–05 0.35 Individuals 0.65

Harbor seal, Bering Sea Phoca vitulina richardsi 2001–05 0.79 Individuals 0.41

Killer whale, Eastern North Pacific 

 Alaska resident Orcinus orca 2001–05 0.84 Individuals 0.44

Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus 2001–05 0.57 Individuals 0.39

Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens 2001–05 2.10d Individuals 0.22

Ribbon seal Phoca fasciata 2001–05 0.27 Individuals 0.50

Ringed seal Phoca hispida 2001–05 0.49 Individuals 0.56

Spotted seal Phoca largha 2001–05 1.17 Individuals 0.28

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 2.78 Individuals 0.31

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 9.72 Individuals

d Source for this estimate is M. Perez (AKFSC-retired), unpublished data.

Subtable 4.3.C.7

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Killer whale, Eastern North Pacific 

 Alaska resident Orcinus orca 2001–05 0.84 Individuals 0.87

Ribbon seal Phoca fasciata 2001–05 0.60 Individuals 0.82

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 0.74 Individuals 0.86

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 2.18 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.C.8

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 0.85 Individuals 0.73

Harbor seal, Bering Sea Phoca vitulina richardsi 2001–05 0.79 Individuals 0.50

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1.64 Individuals

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Table 4.3.C (continued)

Subtable 4.3.C.9

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

 POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Dall’s porpoise, Alaska Phocoenoides dalli 2001–05 1.35 Individuals 0.24

Harbor seal, Bering Sea Phoca vitulina richardsi 2001–05 0.29 Individuals 0.56

Killer whale, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 

Islands, and Bering Sea Transient Orcinus orca 2001–05 0.41 Individuals 0.22

Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus 2001–05 0.21 Individuals 0.21

Ribbon seal Phoca fasciata 2001–05 0.20 Individuals –e

Ringed seal Phoca hispida 2001–05 0.42 Individuals 0.16

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 2.58 Individuals 0.14

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 5.46 Individuals

e No CV was calculated; bycatch seen by observers occurred only in the unmonitored hauls/sets of observed cruises in some strata. Source: M. Perez, AKFSC 

(retired), unpublished data.

Subtable 4.3.C.10

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH POT

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Humpback whale, central North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2001–05 0.20 Individuals –f

Humpback whale, western North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2001–05 0.20 Individuals –f

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.20g Individuals

f

 No CV was calculated; bycatch seen by observers occurred only in the unmonitored hauls/sets of observed cruises in some strata. Source: M. Perez, AKFSC 

(retired), unpublished data.

g A single whale was seriously injured/killed in this fishery during this five-year period. Because this is an area of stock overlap, it is not known which stock 

incurred the serious injury/mortality. Thus, the total fishery bycatch is 0.20 humpback whales over the five-year period, and this could have come from either 

the central North Pacific or the western North Pacific stock.

Subtable 4.3.C.11 GULF OF ALASKA CRAB POTh

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Humpback whale, central North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2001–05 0.60 Individuals NA

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.60 Individuals

h Minimum documented entanglements, derived from the NMFS strandings database.

Subtable 4.3.C.12 GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Dall’s porpoise, Alaska Phocoenoides dalli 2001–05 0.48 Individuals 0.70

Northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris 2001–05 0.71 Individuals 0.86

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 1.33 Individuals 0.66

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 2.52 Individuals

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ALASKA REGION

Table 4.3.C (continued)

Subtable 4.3.C.13 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 2001–05 0.94 Individuals 0.83

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0.94 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.C.14 (SUMMARY) Total Species Bycatch

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT

Bearded seal Erignathus barbatus 0.36 Individuals

Dall’s porpoise, Alaska Phocoenoides dalli 1.83 Individuals

Gray whale Eschrichtius robustus 0.50 Individuals

Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea Phocoena phocoena 0.35 Individuals

Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Alaska Phocoena phocoena 35.80 Individuals

Harbor seal, Bering Sea Phoca vitulina richardsi 1.87 Individuals

Humpback whale, central North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 2.40 Individuals

Humpback whale, Western North Pacific Megaptera novaeangliae 0.20 Individuals

Killer whale, eastern North Pacific Alaska resident Orcinus orca 2.09 Individuals

Killer whale, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea transient Orcinus orca 0.41 Individuals

Northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris 0.71 Individuals

Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus 0.78 Individuals

Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus 

divergens 2.10 Individuals

Ribbon seal Phoca fasciata 1.07 Individuals

Ringed seal Phoca hispida 0.91 Individuals

Spotted seal Phoca largha 1.17 Individuals

Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Eumetopias jubatus 9.71 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 62.26 Individuals

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Table 4.3.D 

Subtables showing seabird bycatch estimates for Alaska 

Region fisheries. Bycatch estimates are in numbers of 

individuals, and reflect averages for the years listed. Key 

stocks/populations are shaded. 

Subtable 4.3.D.1

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, EASTERN BERING 

SEA ATKA MACKEREL TRAWL

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

GREENLAND TURBOT LONGLINE

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 27 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 35 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 76 Individuals 2001–05 108 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 3 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 1 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 93 Individuals 2001–05 19 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 1 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 2 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 17 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 169 Individuals 213 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.2

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

FLATFISH TRAWL FISHERIES

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 75 Individuals 2001–05 15 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 6 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 1970 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 73 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 2617 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 26 Individuals

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ALASKA REGION

Table 4.3.D (continued)

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.D.2)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

FLATFISH TRAWL FISHERIES

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD LONGLINE

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 2 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 14 Individuals 2001–05 413 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 2 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 42 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 22 Individuals 2001–05 495 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 111 Individuals 5661 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.3

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD POT

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

PACIFIC COD TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 17 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 1 Individuals 2001–05 17 Individuals

Laysan albatross

Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 47 Individuals

Northern fulmar

Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 31 Individuals 2001–05 82 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 2 Individuals 2001–05 15 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 1 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 35 Individuals 178 Individuals

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Table 4.3.D (continued)

Subtable 4.3.D.4

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS

 PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH TRAWL

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 63 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 5 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 1 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 87 Individuals 2001–05 179 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 2 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 1 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 27 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 5 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 39 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 87 Individuals 322 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.5

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH LONGLINE

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH POT

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 4 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 39 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 16 Individuals 2001–05 1 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

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ALASKA REGION

Table 4.3.D (continued)

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.D.5)

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH LONGLINE

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH POT

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 1 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 59 Individuals 2 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.6

BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 

SABLEFISH TRAWL

GULF OF ALASKA 

FLATFISH TRAWL FISHERIES

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 24 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 0 Individuals 24 Individuals

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Table 4.3.D (continued)

Subtable 4.3.D.7

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD 

LONGLINE GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD POT

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 1 Individuals 2001–05 12 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 10 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 28 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 8 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 23 Individuals 2001–05 25 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 4 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 6 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 80 Individuals 37 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.8 GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 2 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

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ALASKA REGION

Table 4.3.D (continued)

(continuation of Subtable 4.3.D.8) GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 0 Individuals 2 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.9

GULF OF ALASKA ROCKFISH (NORTHERN 

ROCKFISH, PELAGIC SHELF ROCKFISH, 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH) TRAWL

GULF OF ALASKA 

SABLEFISH LONGLINE

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 9 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 51 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 49 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 13 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 71 Individuals 2001–05 87 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 7 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 4 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals 2001–05 9 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 71 Individuals 229 Individuals

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Table 4.3.D (continued)

Subtable 4.3.D.10 GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH TRAWL

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE BYCATCH UNIT CV

Alcid Alciidae 2001–05 0 Individuals

Black-footed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

nigripes 2001–05 0 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2001–05 0 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria 

immutabilis 2001–05 0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus 

glacialis 2001–05 0 Individuals

Other seabird 2001–05 0 Individuals

Red-legged 

kittiwake

Rissa 

brevirostris 2001–05 0 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals

Short-tailed 

albatross

Phoebastria 

albatrus 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

albatross Diomedeidae 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

shearwaters and 

petrels

Procellariidae 2001–05 0 Individuals

Unidentified 

seabirds 2001–05 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.3.D.11 (SUMMARY)

Total Seabird Bycatch

in All Fisheries

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME BYCATCH UNIT

Alcid Alciidae 194 Individuals

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes 67 Individuals

Gull Laridae 2,101 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria immutabilis 216 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 3,427 Individuals

Other seabird 31 Individuals

Red-legged kittiwake Rissa brevirostris 4 Individuals

Shearwater Procellariidae 595 Individuals

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus 0 Individuals

Unidentified albatross Diomedeidae 7 Individuals

Unidentified shearwaters and petrels Procellariidae 49 Individuals

Unidentified seabirds 589 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 7,280 Individuals

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NORTHWEST REGION

4.4 Northwest Region

The NMFS Northwest Region is responsible for collecting 

scientific data and managing marine resources and habitats in Federal waters off the states of California, Oregon, 

and Washington: the area comprising the California Coastal 

Current LME1 as well as coastal and inland waters utilized 

by species protected under the MMPA and ESA. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), in conjunction 

with the NMFS, is responsible for managing fisheries in the 

Northwest Region.

4.4.1 Fisheries Overview

A total of 30 commercial fisheries are included in this report for the Northwest Region (Table 4.4.1). Landings from 

these fisheries in Oregon and Washington were valued at 

approximately $281 million in 2005.2 A variety of gear types 

(e.g., longlines, pots/traps, trawls, and gillnets) are used to 

capture groundfish and salmon species. In addition, crab, 

anchovy, sardines, herring, mackerel, shrimp, squid, and 

other shellfish and mollusks provide other important fishing 

opportunities. 

Sixty-three percent of Northwest Regional fisheries are 

managed at the state level (Figure 4.4.1). Of the 11 remaining fisheries, four are managed at the Federal level, one 

is managed by tribal authorities, and six are under shared 

management. 

Two PFMC FMPs regulate harvest of Pacific Coast groundfish and salmon in the Northwest Region. Through the management process, the PFMC develops and recommends to 

NMFS harvest specifications and management measures 

for over 82 species of groundfish managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP. Pacific hake (Merluccius productus, also referred to as whiting) comprises the largest 

proportion of groundfish catch by volume. Management of 

the Pacific hake mid-water trawl fishery is shared between 

Federal and state governments and tribal authorities (an 

international treaty is currently being developed between 

Canada and the U.S). Groundfish bottom trawl fisheries targeting other species are primarily federally managed. The 

California/Oregon nearshore rockfish fisheries have shared 

Federal/state management. 

The PFMC’s Pacific Coast Salmon FMP manages species 

of Pacific salmon, which support important commercial, 

recreational, and tribal fisheries in the states of California, 

Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Managed fisheries include 

a number of state-managed coastal and inland salmon fisheries. These “inside water” commercial fisheries primarily 

1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/.

2 Ex-vessel landings value, Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2006. Available online http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/fisheries_economics_2006.html.

utilize gillnets and purse seine gear. Federally managed 

ocean salmon fisheries include commercial troll and recreational fisheries (recreational fisheries are not addressed 

in this edition of the report). Of the two salmon fisheries 

addressed in this report, one is federally managed (West 

Coast salmon troll, non-tribal ocean), and the other has 

shared management by the Federal government and the 

coastal Native American tribes (West Coast salmon troll, 

tribal ocean). 

The regional interstate commission, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), does not have regulatory or management authority, but works to advance policies and actions to conserve, develop, and manage fishery 

resources in the states of California, Oregon, Washington, 

Idaho, and Alaska. The Pacific Coast Fisheries Information 

Network (PacFIN), run by PSMFC, is a joint Federal–state 

data-collection and information system used to compile and 

maintain data for Pacific Coast commercial fisheries.

In 2005, the Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) 

longline fishery was the only fishery in the Northwest that 

included an international management authority, the IPHC. 

The IPHC, established in 1923, conducts research on and 

manages Pacific halibut stocks within U.S. and Canadian 

waters. 

4.4.2. Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns

The PFMC and NMFS have implemented a variety of regulations to monitor and reduce bycatch in Federal fisheries. Note that the information in this report is based on the 

regulations in place at the time of writing. Sine that time, 

new regulations implementing trawl-rationalization for the 

West Coast groundfish fishery have been implemented 

(discussed in a later section). 

Groundfish

The Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP outlines a number of 

conservation measures including periodic vessel landing 

limits (trip limits), seasonal closures, and area and gear restrictions, in addition to reduced capacity. Periodic vessel 

landing limits are the designated weight of a fish species or 

species group that can be landed during a designated time 

period, usually two months. Periodic vessel landing limits 

constrain the amount of a species or species group that can 

be landed; however, they do not constrain how much of a 

species or species group can be caught. Therefore, regulatory discard is common as vessels reach landing limits 

for one species before the limits for other species. Since 

the FMP was established, trip limits have become more restrictive, and as trip limits apply to more species, regulatory 

discards have increased. Discard also occurs when vessels 

catch species or sizes of fish which have no value to processors or other available buyers.

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

West Coast Groundfish 

Non-Trawl Gear: LimitedEntry Sablefish-Endorsed 

Fixed Gear

Federal Pacific Coast 

Groundfish

Longline, Bottom; 

Pots and Traps, 

Other

Sablefish

Landing receipt 

(fish ticket), 

observer data

West Coast Groundfish 

Non-Trawl Gear: NonEndorsed Fixed GearFederal Pacific Coast 

Groundfish

Longline, Bottom; 

Pots and Traps, 

Other

Sablefish, 

groundfish

Landing receipt 

(fish ticket), 

observer data

West Coast LimitedEntry Bottom Trawl: 

Groundfish Bottom Trawl

Federal Pacific Coast 

Groundfish

Otter Trawl 

Bottom, Fish Groundfish

Landing receipt 

(fish ticket), 

logbook, observer 

data

West Coast Salmon Troll, 

Non-Tribal Ocean Federal Pacific Coast 

Salmon Troll Lines Salmon

Landing receipt 

(fish ticket), 

logbook, 

Observer data

CA Halibut Trawl Federal, State Bottom Trawl, 

Fish California halibut Observer data

CA/OR Nearshore 

Rockfish Federal, State Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Combined Gears Nearshore 

rockfish

Landing receipt 

(fish ticket), 

observer data, 

state logbook

West Coast Pacific 

Halibut Longline, NonTribal

Federal, State, 

International

Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Longline Pacific halibut

West Coast Mid-Water 

Trawl For Whiting, 

Shoreside Processing

Federal, State, 

Tribal

Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Mid-water Trawl Pacific whiting Observer data

West Coast Mid-Water 

Trawl For Whiting, At-Sea 

Processing

Federal, Tribal Pacific Coast 

Groundfish Mid-water Trawl Pacific whiting Observer data

West Coast Salmon Troll, 

Tribal Ocean Federal, Tribal Pacific Coast 

Salmon Troll Lines Salmon

Landing receipt 

(fish ticket), 

logbook, observer 

data

OR/CA Pink Shrimp State Shrimp Trawls Pink shrimp Observer data 

OR/CA Spot Prawn State Pots and Traps, 

Shrimp Spot shrimp Observer data 

WA Beach Seine / OR 

Drag Seine State Other Seines

WA Grays Harbor 

Salmon Drift Gillnet 

(excluding Treaty Tribal 

Fishing)

State Gillnet Salmon

Table 4.4.1

Northwest Region fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report. Fisheries are listed alphabetically, first by management 

authority and then by fishery name. Rows containing fisheries for 

which bycatch estimates are included in this report are shaded. 

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Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

WA Grays Harbor 

Salmon Set and Drift 

Gillnet

State Gillnet Salmon

WA Herring Brush Weir State Weirs Pacific herring

WA/OR Gillnet State Gillnet Salmon

WA/OR Herring, Smelt, 

Squid Purse Seine State Purse Seine Coastal pelagic 

species

WA/OR Lower Columbia 

River Drift Gillnet State Gillnet Salmon

WA/OR Shrimp Pot and 

Trap State Pots and Traps, 

Shrimp Shrimp spp.

WA/OR Smelt, Herring 

Dip Net State Dip Nets Coastal pelagic 

species

WA/OR Lower Columbia 

River Salmon Drift State Gill Nets Salmon

WA/OR Misc. 

Invertebrate State By Hand, Diving 

Gear

WA/OR/CA Dungeness 

Crab Pot State Pots and Traps, 

Other Dungeness crab

WA Puget Sound Region 

Salmon Drift Gillnet State Gillnet Salmon

WA Salmon Purse Seine State Purse Seine Salmon

WA Salmon Reef Net State Other Fixed Nets Salmon

WA Willapa Bay Drift 

Gillnet State Gillnet Salmon

Willapa Bay Salmon Drift State Gillnet Salmon

Makah Salmon Set 

Gillnet Areas 4, 4A, 4B Tribal Gillnet Salmon

a Aquaculture fisheries are listed for consistency with the MMPA List of Fisheries when they occur, but were not analyzed for the U.S. National Bycatch Report. 

Recreational fisheries are not included in this edition of the report and are not listed.

b Note that non-Federal FMPs were not identified through this process..

c Data sources were evaluated only for Federal fisheries and non-Federal fisheries with Federal data-collection programs.

Figure 4.4.1

Management jurisdictions for Northwest Region fisheries (percentages based on numbers of fisheries, not volume or revenue); 

“shared” indicates that international, Federal, state, and/or tribal 

authorities share management jurisdiction for the fishery.

Federal

13% (4)

Shared

20% (6)

Tribal

3% (1)

State

63% (19)

Table 4.4.1 (continued)

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Several additional measures have been taken to shift fishing incentives away from depleted rockfish species. In 

2000, the PFMC imposed a restriction on bottom trawl footrope size for landing shelf and nearshore rockfish species. 

Footrope configuration and the use of chafing gear were 

linked to various groundfish trip limits. In 2002, area- and 

depth-related closures were instituted to further reduce 

bycatch of depleted rockfish species, while also dictating 

where different footrope configurations could be used. By 

2003, area- and depth-related closures were established 

in both the limited-entry and open-access sectors of the 

groundfish fishery for both trawl and fixed gears. In 2005, 

a selective flatfish trawl gear requirement was established 

to further reduce bycatch of depleted rockfish based on net 

design. This requirement was again linked to the area- and 

depth-related closures. Area- and depth-related closures 

continue to change over time in response to bycatch rates 

and fishery management.

In 2001, the PFMC began to institute measures to reduce 

capacity in the groundfish fishery. That year, permit stacking was instituted in the limited-entry sablefish-endorsed 

fixed gear fishery. Permit stacking allows for up to three 

limited-entry sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)-endorsed permits to be stacked on a single vessel. Prior to this measure, 

a single vessel fished each permit. In 2003, groundfish and 

pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani) fishers, in cooperation with 

the Federal government, reduced capacity in the limitedentry groundfish bottom trawl fleet through a permit and 

vessel buyback program. Ninety-two permits and vessels, 

representing about a third of the overall trawl effort, were 

removed from the fishery.

The PFMC and NMFS have developed rebuilding plans for 

all overfished stocks, as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 (MSRA). Because many 

overfished groundfish stocks co-occur with healthy stocks, 

harvest of healthy stocks is often constrained to ensure that 

rebuilding stocks are not subject to overfishing and may be 

rebuilt within the established time frame. To achieve a balance, NMFS and PFMC work to identify a rebuilding period 

for each species that is as short as possible, taking into account the status and biology of the species and the impacts 

of management alternatives on fishing communities.

In 2001, the NMFS implemented the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program (WCGOP) to gather data necessary 

to manage Federal groundfish fisheries off the coasts of 

Washington, Oregon, and California. The program’s focus 

is estimation of groundfish species bycatch in West Coast 

fisheries. Also in 2001, the At-Sea Hake Observer Program 

(A-SHOP) was transferred from the AFSC to the Northwest 

Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC). The A-SHOP program 

monitors total catch and bycatch of the Pacific hake sectors 

that process their catch at sea (catcher–processors and 

motherships). Bycatch caps were instituted in this fishery in 

2005 for several overfished and rebuilding stocks known to 

be taken. Specifically, bycatch caps were instituted for canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger), widow rockfish (Sebastes 

entomelas), and darkblotched rockfish (Sebastes crameri).

Due to the conservation efforts of the PFMC and NMFS, 

populations of several groundfish stocks are increasing. 

Lingcod (Ophiodon elongates), which was declared overfished in 1999, had been rebuilt by 2005. Pacific hake was 

declared overfished in 2002, but was rebuilt by 2004. In addition, bocaccio and darkblotched rockfish, Pacific Ocean 

perch (Sebastes alutus), and widow rockfish (Sebastes entomelas) are no longer overfished and are rebuilding.

In 2010, the NMFS and the PFMC approved Amendments 

20 and 21 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP. The new 

measures move the Pacific Coast groundfish bottom trawl 

fishery from a limited-entry permit system to a catch-share 

program. The management options implemented under an 

individual transferable quota (ITQ) system significantly affect data collection and bycatch monitoring, as well as the 

methods of estimation used, and also influence bycatch 

levels in this fishery. This program is currently in its first 

year of implementation.

Salmon

In ocean salmon troll fisheries, the primary bycatch is incidental salmon species. Bycatch of non-salmonid fish species in salmon fisheries is generally very limited. Under the 

Pacific Coast Salmon FMP, only hook-and-line gear is allowed in oceanic salmon fisheries, and regulations allow 

for retention of most groundfish species and limited numbers of Pacific halibut that are caught incidentally. All ocean 

salmon fisheries are mixed-stock fisheries, and may either 

allow retention of mixed species or be limited to retention 

of single species. At-sea differentiation between salmon 

stocks is not currently feasible, except for distinguishing 

marked hatchery fish from unmarked fish. In single-species 

fisheries, captured individuals of other species must be discarded. 

Conservation measures in recent years, intended to reduce 

the mortality of stocks of concern (e.g., mark-selective fisheries and single-species fisheries), have increased the ratio of bycatch to landed catch in the non-tribal portion of 

the fishery. Major regulations currently in place under the 

Salmon FMP include setting annual goals for the number of 

spawners of major salmon stocks (“spawner escapement 

goals”) and the allocation of harvest among different groups 

of fishers. The NMFS and PFMC must also ensure that all 

salmon fisheries comply with ESA regulations, as several 

ESA-listed fish populations occur in the region. 

Other fisheries

The remaining fisheries listed in Table 4.4.1 have limited or 

no bycatch information available. With the exception of the 

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pink shrimp and Dungeness crab fisheries, the remaining 

fisheries are sporadic, or effort occurs at levels much lower 

than in the observed fisheries. 

The pink shrimp trawl fisheries in Oregon and Northern 

California have limited observer coverage and are known 

to take small quantities of groundfish and squid. To reduce 

groundfish bycatch in the pink shrimp fisheries, Washington, 

Oregon, and California instituted mandatory requirements 

for the use of BRD’s. The Oregon pink shrimp fishery was 

certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in 2007 due in 

part to the effectiveness of the required rigid type of BRD. 

Bycatch of groundfish, Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), 

and other species is known to occur in the California halibut 

bottom trawl fishery. Limited observer data are available, as 

it is also a state-managed fishery. 

4.4.3 Data Sources

Table 4.4.1 lists sources of bycatch data available for federally managed Northwest fisheries and for those state 

fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection programs. 

Three primary data sources are available for Northwest Regional fisheries: observer programs, logbooks, and landing 

receipts (also known as fish tickets). Both the NMFS and 

state agencies utilize PacFIN (the regional database clearinghouse maintained by PSMFC) to compile and maintain 

data on Pacific coast fisheries. 

4.4.3.1 Observer Programs

Prior to 2002, comprehensive total catch data were not 

available, as only limited state or NMFS observer programs (implemented primarily under the MMPA) existed 

through the 1980s and 1990s. In 2001, under the Pacific 

Coast Groundfish FMP, NMFS established and authorized 

the WCGOP to collect data on at-sea discards in the West 

Coast non-hake groundfish fleet. The A-SHOP, which had 

originally focused on incidental take of marine mammals 

and salmon, evolved to collect data for estimating total 

catch by the early 1990s. Although domestic at-sea hake 

processors had historically carried NMFS-trained observers 

voluntarily, observer coverage for the Federal at-sea hake 

fishery became mandatory in 2004 under the Pacific Coast 

Groundfish FMP. In addition, an electronic monitoring (EM) 

video program was tested in the shore-based mid-water 

trawl hake fishery from 2004 to 2009. The EM system was 

tested to confirm that landings data accurately represented 

what was being caught at sea, i.e., that instances of at-sea 

discard were recorded.

The WCGOP and A-SHOP observers monitor and record 

haul-related information; determine the total catch; sample 

hauls for species composition; collect length, weight, age 

structure, and tagged fish data; and record marine mammal and seabird sightings and interactions. Data collected 

by the WCGOP and A-SHOP programs are compiled and 

maintained by NMFS. Possible biases in data collected by 

WCGOP observers include changes in fishing behavior by 

observed vessels relative to non-observed vessels, pooling 

of data across ports without weighting by relative strataum 

size (e.g., fraction of trips or landings), and deviations from 

the sampling plan due to implementation issues (e.g., vessel safety, size, etc.). Biases in the A-SHOP data are minimal, as the fishery is a census of vessels, and samples of 

catch are random and include approximately 50% of the 

total catch. One caveat is that catcher vessels delivering to 

motherships are currently unobserved and may represent a 

source of unaccounted-for discards.

Observer programs at developing or mature coverage levels 

are in place for several fisheries including the West Coast 

mid-water trawl fishery for hake with at-sea processing, 

and the limited-entry groundfish fisheries (trawl and fixed 

gear). Other regional fisheries are observed at baseline or 

pilot levels. Current observer programs are listed in Table 

4.4.2. In FY 2005, over 6,184 sea days of commercial fishing were observed in the Northwest Region (approximately 

36% of this was EM coverage of the mid-water trawl fishery 

for hake with shoreside processing).

 4.4.3.2 Logbooks

Mandatory logbook programs are currently in place for 

some of the fisheries for which discards were estimated. 

Logbooks were used to estimate discards in the West Coast 

limited-entry groundfish bottom trawl fishery. 

Logbook record-keeping for the limited-entry groundfish 

trawl fishery is a state-mandated requirement in Washington, Oregon, and California. A common format of logbook 

is used by all three states. Information in paper logbooks 

is recorded by vessel personnel. Data collected include 

vessel name, departure date, return date, departure port, 

return port, gear type, haul set/retrieval location (latitude/

longitude), average depth, haul number, haul set/retrieval 

date/time, and retained catch in pounds by category (single 

species or species group). Discard information is not recorded in logbooks, although all commercial fishermen are 

required under the MMPA to submit a marine mammal take 

form if they incidentally take a marine mammal. 

Trawl logbooks are submitted to each state agency: California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), Oregon 

Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Washington 

Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and recorded 

information is entered into state agency databases. Electronic logbook data are then uploaded on a quarterly basis 

to PacFIN. Often, the most complete logbook data for a calendar year are not available until April of the following year. 

For the Pacific Coast groundfish bottom trawl fishery, the 

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completeness of logbook submission is not fully known. As 

with most self-reported data, the trawl logbooks are unverified, creating a potential for bias. However, the state agencies all employ similar procedures during data processing 

to adjust logbook weights, based on trip-level comparison 

of logbook trip entries and corresponding landing receipts.

The State of Oregon requires logbooks for its state-managed fisheries, such as nearshore rockfish, although currently these logbooks are not directly available to NMFS. 

4.4.3.3 Landing Receipts

Landing receipts, also known as fish tickets, are required to 

be completed by fish buyers in each port for every shoreObserver Program

U.S. National Bycatch 

Report Fisheries

Authority to Place 

Observers Program Duration Coverage Level

At-Sea Hake 

Observer Program

West Coast Mid-Water 

Trawl For Whiting, AtSea ProcessingMSFCMA (50 CFR 660) 1975–present 2005-08: 100%

West Coast Groundfish 

Observer Program

CA Halibut Trawl

MSFCMA (50 CFR 660) 2001–present

2005: 1–10%

2006: <1–10%

2007: <1–10%

2008: <1–10%

CA/OR Nearshore 

Rockfish

CA/OR Pink Shrimp

CA/OR Spot Prawn

West Coast Groundfish 

Bottom Trawl; West 

Coast Limited-Entry 

Bottom Trawl 

MSFCMA (50 CFR 660) 2001–present

2005: 24%

2006: 22%

2007: 18.5%

2008: 17–30%

West Coast Groundfish 

Non-Trawl Gear: 

Limited-Entry SablefishEndorsed Fixed Gear

2005: 42%

2006: 28%

2007: 25.1%

2008: 17–30%

West Coast Groundfish 

Non-Trawl Gear: NonEndorsed Fixed GearMSFCMA (50 CFR 660) 2001–present

2005: 3%

2006: 7%

2007: 12.6%

(program does not 

cover all portions of 

non-endorsed fishery)

2008: 17–30%

West Coast MidWater Trawl For Hake, 

Shoreside Processing

MSFCMA (50 CFR 660) 2004–09

2005–08: 100% of 

vessels (covered with 

pilot EM)

Table 4.4.2

Current Northwest Regional Federal observer programs and fisheries observed. Coverage level was determined by observed landings. 

Programs and observed fisheries are listed alphabetically. Observer 

programs that ended over 10 years ago are not listed in this table.

side delivery of fish by a vessel. Each state agency issues 

blank fish tickets to fish buyers to complete and return to 

the agency for processing. Fish tickets are available for all 

of the fisheries for which bycatch estimates are presented 

here, with the exception of the West Coast mid-water trawl 

for Pacific hake with at-sea processing, as only processed 

catch is ever landed. Potential fish ticket biases include the 

possibility that not all landings are recorded on submitted 

fish tickets and inconsistencies in the recording of species 

between fish buyers, ports, and states.

State laws require that all fish landed by a vessel be recorded on a landing receipt. Washington, Oregon, and California each have a slightly different format of landing receipt. Data collected include delivery date, port, processor 

identification, vessel identification, fisherman name, gear 

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type, catch category (single species or species group), and 

landed weight or number of fish (for salmon). These data 

pertain only to fish being retained and landed by the vessel; discards at sea are not recorded on the landing receipt. 

Landing receipts are recorded by fish buyers and then sent 

to the issuing state agency. The receipts are then entered 

into state agency databases and uploaded electronically to 

the PacFIN regional database. The data are uploaded to 

PacFIN within a week, or up to every two months, depending on the state agency. 

In many observed Northwest fisheries, it is necessary to 

adjust retained catch weight recorded by observers to 

landings receipt(s) weight. Matching observed catch with 

landing receipts can be problematic due to differences in 

dates (end dates of observed trips do not always match the 

date of landing) or differences in the recorded species/fish 

category assignments between the observer program and 

landing receipts. 

4.4.4 Northwest Region Bycatch 

Estimation Methods

4.4.4.1 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West 

Coast Limited-Entry Bottom Trawl, Groundfish 

Bottom Trawl Fishery

Fish discard estimation methods in this fishery are detailed 

in the report on mortality in the West Coast groundfish fishery by Hastie and Bellman (2006) and the WCGOP data report (NWFSC 2006a). For WCGOP observer data-collection 

methods, refer to the program’s manual (NWFSC 2006b). 

Fleet-wide discard estimates are derived from WCGOP 

observer data, landing receipt data, and trawl industry logbook data. WCGOP observer data and trawl logbook data 

are stratified by area, season, and depth. The approach is 

to estimate discards as a direct function of retained catch. 

Discard ratios are calculated from observer data for three 

sets of species: rebuilding species (species that are under 

rebuilding plans), fishery target species, and other incidentally caught species. Stratum discard ratios for rebuilding 

species and other incidental species, where the majority of 

species catch is often discarded, are calculated by dividing 

a rebuilding or other incidental species’ discarded weight by 

the aggregate retained weight of the target species in the 

stratum. Stratum discard ratios for target species, where 

the species catch is characterized by a mix of retention and 

discard, are calculated by dividing each target species’ discarded weight by its retained weight. 

Stratum estimates of discard for individual rebuilding species and other incidental species are calculated by multiplying the aggregate logbook target species catch in each 

stratum by the appropriate discard ratio. Stratum estimates 

of discard are calculated for each target species by multiplying the logbook retained species catch by the appropriate discard ratio. The stratum discard estimates are then 

summed for each area and two-month period. Logbook 

data do not provide a complete synopsis of all trawl trips, 

thus discard estimates must be expanded to reflect the difference between landed catch reported on landing receipts 

and that reported in logbooks. The extrapolation ratio for 

rebuilding and other incidentally caught species is equal to 

the landing receipt weight of the combined target species, 

divided by logbook weight for the combined target species. 

The extrapolation ratio for target species is equal to landing receipt weight divided by logbook weight for each state 

and two-month period. Measures of uncertainty were not 

calculated for this report, but methods to do so are being 

developed.

4.4.4.2 Fish Discard Estimation Method for Pacific 

Halibut in the West Coast Limited-Entry 

Bottom Trawl, Groundfish Bottom

Trawl Fishery

Fish discard estimation methods for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) caught in the limited-entry groundfish 

bottom trawl fishery are detailed in a report by Wallace and 

Hastie (2006). The estimation method employed here is 

based upon methods developed for Pikitch et al. (1998). 

The analysis is limited in geographic extent to Washington 

and Oregon as Pacific halibut are rarely caught south of Oregon. The method calculates Pacific halibut bycatch rates, 

which are stratified by season, depth, latitude, and by the 

amount of arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) landed. Arrowtooth flounder is the species most highly correlated with Pacific halibut discard from the bottom trawl fishery in this area. The Pacific halibut bycatch rates (weight 

per hour) are then multiplied by the amount of trawl effort 

(hours towed) in each stratum, as determined from trawl industry logbooks. Pacific halibut bycatch for the bottom trawl 

fleet is estimated by summing across strata. Measures of 

uncertainty were not calculated for 2005, the baseline of 

data used for this report. Starting in 2007, measures of uncertainty for the Pacific halibut bycatch rate are reported, 

and these measures will be included in future editions of 

this report. 

4.4.4.3 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the 

West Coast Limited-Entry Sablefish-Endorsed 

Fixed-Gear Fishery and the Non-SablefishEndorsed Fixed-Gear Fishery 

Fish discard estimation methods in these fisheries are detailed in a data report by Hastie and Bellman (2006), but 

further separation of landings by the limited-entry sablefishendorsed fishery and the non-sablefish-endorsed fixed 

gear fishery was necessary in calculating discard estimates 

for this report. The WCGOP data reports also contain adbM-4.4 text.indd 319 2/5/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

ditional details (NWFSC 2006c,d). Fleet-wide discard estimates in these fisheries are derived from WCGOP and 

landing receipt data. The primary limited-entry sablefishendorsed fixed gear fishery takes place from April to the 

end of October and operates under a tier-limit endorsement 

program. The non-sablefish-endorsed fixed gear fishery 

can occur year-round under daily trip limit management. 

These fisheries are stratified by area and gear type and by 

the area-specific depth zones dictated by fishery management. The analysis is limited in geographic extent to north 

of 36°N latitude. 

Sablefish landings and discard estimates are calculated by 

gear type and area. Estimated discard of sablefish is calculated by multiplying the landed catch from fish ticket receipts by the corresponding observed discard ratio. Discard 

ratios for rebuilding and other groundfish species are calculated by dividing the stratum discard weight of each species 

by the retained catch weight of sablefish. Estimated discard 

of rebuilding and other groundfish species is calculated by 

multiplying the observed discard ratio by sablefish landing 

weight. A sablefish mortality rate was not applied in discard 

estimation for the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Measures 

of uncertainty were not calculated for this report, but the 

development of methods is underway.

4.4.4.4 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the 

Oregon/California Nearshore Rockfish Fishery

Fish discard estimation methods in this fishery are detailed 

in a data report by Hastie and Bellman (2006), but further 

correction of the fishery landings data was necessary in 

calculating discard estimates for this report. The WCGOP 

data report also contains additional details (NWFSC 2007). 

Fleet-wide discard estimates in the nearshore (depths less 

than 50 fathoms) fishery are derived from WCGOP data, 

landing receipt data, and other parameters developed 

through modeling efforts by the Groundfish Management 

Team (GMT) of the PFMC. 

The total observed catch weights of nearshore species or 

species groups are stratified by area and depth. The discard percentage of observed species or species group is 

calculated for each stratum. Landed fish ticket weights for 

each species or species group are expanded to produce 

fleet-wide total catch estimates (landed + discard), using 

various retention rates for all depths less than 50 fathoms. 

Total catch is then distributed among three depth intervals, 

based on GMT estimates. Within each depth stratum, discard estimates for rebuilding species are calculated by 

multiplying the observed discard ratios by total nearshore 

target species landing weight. The total nearshore target 

species landing weights were corrected in the southern 

area depth stratums when calculating discard estimates for 

this report. Mortality or survivorship rates were not applied 

when reporting discard estimates for this report. Measures 

of uncertainty were not calculated for this report, but the 

development of methods is underway.

4.4.4.5 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West 

Coast Mid-Water Trawl for Whiting, 

At-Sea Processing Fishery

Discard estimates in this fishery were obtained directly 

from observer data collected by the A-SHOP program. For 

observer data-collection methods, refer to the program’s 

data manuals (AFSC 2006; NWFSC 2006e). Summaries 

of target and bycatch are presented in an annual report by 

the Northwest Regional Office (NMFS 2006a). The same 

data are also incorporated in the total mortality data report 

for the West Coast groundfish fishery (Hastie and Bellman 

2006). The A-SHOP obtains data on total bycatch in the 

fishery, not specifically on discard. Discard estimates are 

based on an observer’s visual approximation of the portion 

of bycatch that is potentially discarded. Thus, the discard 

estimates are largely tentative and should be viewed with 

caution. The discard estimates for the at-sea hake mid-water trawl fishery do not include data collected in the Makah 

Tribal sector of the fishery. Measures of uncertainty were 

not calculated.

4.4.4.6 Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch Estimation Methods for the West Coast Mid-Water 

Trawl for Whiting, At-Sea Processing; West 

Coast Limited-Entry Bottom Trawl–Groundfish Bottom Trawl; Limited-Entry SablefishEndorsed Fixed Gear; Non-Sablefish-Endorsed Fixed Gear; and Oregon–California 

Nearshore Rockfish Fisheries

Marine mammal and seabird bycatch estimation methods 

for these fisheries are detailed in a data report by the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC 2008). Observer 

program data were analyzed from WCGOP and A-SHOP. 

Observations of WCGOP-observed fisheries and landings made by these fisheries were aggregated into general 

groundfish management areas based on vessel return port. 

In the at-sea hake trawl fishery, only tows that were monitored for marine mammals were used for marine mammal 

bycatch calculation. All of the sampled tows were used for 

calculating seabird bycatch in the at-sea hake trawl fishery, 

as the seabirds were mixed in with the fish catch. 

For marine mammal takes in all fisheries and seabird takes 

in all fisheries except the at-sea hake trawl fishery, bycatch 

estimates and variance were calculated using a ratio estimator technique (Cochran 1977). This estimator was selected because the variance estimate does not assume 

that the numerator and denominator are independent. The 

ratio estimator was used to calculate bycatch rates from observer data, and then the rates were multiplied by the total 

target catch recorded on landing receipts to obtain bycatch 

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estimates for the fishery. The target catch is sablefish in the 

fixed gear fisheries, catch weight of all fish species in the atsea hake fishery, and a subset of target groundfish species 

in the bottom trawl fishery. Total bycatch estimates were 

calculated by summing the bycatch estimates across all 

groundfish management areas. Calculation of the variance 

of the total bycatch estimate assumed that the bycatch estimates between management areas were independent, and 

was accomplished by summing variances across all areas. 

A different method was used for seabird bycatch calculations in the at-sea hake trawl fishery. Approximately 99% of 

all tows in the fishery were sampled. To calculate the total 

number of seabirds in the catch, the number of seabirds 

was first extrapolated from the subsample to the tow level 

by dividing the number of seabirds by the percentage of the 

tow sampled. Total seabird takes were then calculated by 

dividing the sum of the number of birds, extrapolated to the 

tow level, by the percentage of tows sampled.

For all of the fisheries except the at-sea hake fishery, confidence intervals of 90% were calculated because the coefficients of variance were high. For the at-sea hake fishery, 

95% confidence intervals were calculated because the 

estimates were more precise. A lognormal approximation 

(Burnham et al. 1987) was used to calculate confidence 

intervals. The advantage in using this method is that it captures the skewed nature of data distribution and avoids calculating lower bounds less than zero.

In the Oregon and California nearshore fisheries, no marine 

mammal or seabird takes were observed, and thus no further analysis of the fisheries was completed. 

4.4.4.7 Fish Discard Estimation Methods for the West 

Coast Salmon Troll, Non-Tribal, and Tribal 

Ocean Fisheries 

Pacific Coast Federal salmon fisheries focus on Chinook 

(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (Oncorhynchus 

kisutch) salmon. Ocean salmon fisheries are divided into 

geographic areas and the commercial ocean tribal fishery is 

conducted only north of Cape Falcon, Oregon. The primary 

bycatch that occurs is bycatch of salmon species. Beginning in 2000, nearly all non-tribal commercial fisheries for 

coho salmon have allowed retention only of marked hatchery fish. Fisheries were sampled by state programs through 

limited onboard observation and dockside interviews.

Summary information on the estimated bycatch of Chinook 

and coho salmon is included in a pre-season process when 

recommendations are developed for management and also 

in post-season stock assessment and fishery evaluation 

(SAFE) reports (PFMC 2005, 2006). Incidental mortality is 

calculated as shaker mortality plus drop-off mortality. Shaker mortality includes sublegal fish and unmarked fish caught 

and released in mark-selective fisheries. Drop-off mortality 

includes fish that escape from gear and subsequently die, 

and fish removed from gear by marine mammals. Drop-off 

mortality is calculated as 5% of the total encounters (landed 

catch + discards). Shaker mortality is calculated as discards 

× HRM, where HRM is the hooking release mortality rate. 

The HRM is 26% for commercial salmon fisheries. 

Given that incidental mortality (IM) and catch (C) are related to discards (D) as:

IM = 0.05(C + D) + D(HRM)

then discards were solved for as:

D = [(IM/0.05) – C] × [0.05/(0.05 + HRM)].

The catch and bycatch mortality numbers used to calculate 

discard estimates for this report are included in Table I-7 of 

the Review of 2005 Ocean Salmon Fisheries (PFMC 2006). 

Measures of uncertainty were not calculated.

4.4.4.8 Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch Estimation Methods for the West Coast Salmon Troll, 

Non-Tribal, and Tribal Ocean Fisheries

Bycatch estimates of marine mammals and seabirds in 

these fisheries are not available. Pacific Coast salmon 

fisheries have a minimal impact on marine mammals, according to the Pacific salmon fisheries management final 

programmatic EIS (NMFS 2003). Northwest Region oceanic salmon fisheries are classified under the MMPA as 

Category III, with remote likelihood of causing, or no known 

cases of, serious injuries or mortalities of marine mammals. 

Direct impacts on seabirds are also minimal to non-existent, 

as determined in both the supplemental and programmatic 

EIS (PFMC 2000; NMFS 2003). The supplemental EIS also 

considered impacts to other ESA-listed species such as 

sea turtles and concluded that they were not significant.

4.4.5 Tier Scores for Northwest Region Fisheries

Ten Northwest fisheries with Federal or shared management were scored, based on the quality and availability of 

bycatch data and current estimation methods. Other data 

may be available for state, international, and tribal fisheries; however, these programs were beyond the scope of this 

initial report. The remaining twenty fisheries do not have any 

Federal management component, are inconsistently monitored by Federal data-collection programs, or have no relevant Federal data collection. In addition, many of these fisheries have had limited effort in recent years. For those with 

large amounts of effort, such as the Dungeness crab pot 

fishery, bycatch of finfish is very rare and the likelihood of 

marine mammal, sea turtle, and seabird injuries is very low.

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Unique tier scores were assigned to evaluated fisheries 

using the tier scoring procedures outlined in Section 3 for 

fish, marine mammals and other protected species (Table 

4.4.3). For all three bycatch types, 50% of Northwest fisheries scored in Tier 2 (Figure 4.4.2). For marine mammals 

and other protected species, the distribution of scores was 

the same: 30% in Tier 0, 10% in Tier 1, 50% in Tier 2, and 

10% in Tier 3 (Figure 4.4.2 B and C). Scores for fish placed 

10% of fisheries in Tier 0, 30% in Tier 1, 50% in Tier 2, and 

10% in Tier 3. No Northwest fisheries scored in Tier 4 for 

fish, marine mammals, or other protected species. 

Fishery Management Authority Fish

Marine 

Mammal

Other 

Protected 

Species

West Coast Groundfish Non-Trawl Gear: Limited-Entry 

Sablefish-Endorsed Fixed Gear Federal 2 2 2

West Coast Groundfish Non-Trawl Gear: Non-Endorsed 

Fixed Gear Federal 2 2 2

West Coast Limited-Entry Bottom Trawl; Groundfish 

Bottom Trawl Federal 2 2 2

West Coast Salmon Troll, Non-Tribal Ocean Federal 1 0 0

CA Halibut Trawl Federal, State 1 1 1

CA/OR Nearshore Rockfish Federal, State 2 2 2

West Coast Pacific Halibut Longline, Non-Tribal Federal, State, International 0 0 0

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl for Whiting, Shoreside 

Processing Federal, State, Tribal 2 2 2

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl for Whiting, At-Sea 

Processing Federal, Tribal 3 3 3

West Coast Salmon Troll, Tribal Ocean Federal, Tribal 1 0 0

OR/CA Pink Shrimp State

OR/CA Spot Prawn State

WA Beach Seine / OR Drag Seine State

WA Grays Harbor Salmon Drift Gillnet (excluding Treaty 

Tribal Fishing) State

WA Grays Harbor Salmon Set and Drift Gillnet State

WA Herring Brush Weir State

WA/OR Gillnet State

WA/OR Herring, Smelt, Squid Purse Seine State

WA/OR Lower Columbia River Drift Gillnet State

WA/OR Lower Columbia River Salmon Drift State

WA/OR Misc Invertebrate State

WA/OR Shrimp Pot and Trap State

Table 4.4.3

The 2005 fishery tier scores for the Northwest Region (listed alphabetically, first by management authority and then by fishery name). Fisheries in 

shaded rows were scored for this report. Only Federal data-collection programs were evaluated. Some state fisheries with a Federal bycatch datacollection component, such as the pink shrimp and spot prawn fisheries, 

could not be properly assigned to a tier due to limited data at the time.

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A. Northwest — Fish

n = 10

Tier 2

50% (5)

Tier 1

30% (3)

Tier 0

10% (1)

Tier 3

10% (1)

C. Northwest — Other Protected Species

n = 10

Tier 1

10% (1)

Tier 0

30% (3)

Tier 3

10% (1)

Tier 2

50% (5)

B. Northwest — Marine Mammals

n = 10

Tier 2

50% (5)

Tier 0

30% (3)

Tier 3

10% (1)

Tier 1

10% (1)

Fishery Management Authority Fish

Marine 

Mammal

Other 

Protected 

Species

WA/OR Smelt, Herring Dip Net State

WA/OR/CA Dungeness Crab Pot State

WA Puget Sound Region Salmon Drift Gillnet State

WA Salmon Purse Seine State

WA Salmon Reef Net State

WA Willapa Bay Drift Gillnet State

Willapa Bay Salmon Drift State

Makah Salmon Set Gillnet Areas 4, 4A, 4B Tribal

Table 4.4.3 (continued)

Figure 4.4.2

Tier classifications by number and percentage for Northwest Region fisheries, for fisheries with Federal or shared 

management or relevant Federal data-collection programs 

for A) fish, B) marine mammals, and C) other protected 

species. Tier scores are for the year 2005.

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI a

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias No No

Black rockfish, North Sebastes melanops No No

Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus Unknown No

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis No Yes

Cabezon, South Scorpaenichthys marmoratus No No

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger No No — rebuilding

Cowcod Sebastes levis No Yes

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri No Yes

Dover sole Microstomus pacificus No No

English sole Parophrys vetulus No No

Kelp greenling, Oregon Hexagrammos decagrammus Unknown No

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus No No

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis No No

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus No No — rebuilding

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani No No

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus No No

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias Unknown Unknown

4.4.6. Northwest Region Key Stocks

Eighty-one key stocks were identified in the Northwest Region (Table 4.4.4). As in all regions, not all species listed as 

key stocks have available bycatch estimates. All ESA-listed 

populations found in the Northwest Region (47) were automatically included in the list of key stocks, regardless of 

whether bycatch has been recorded. In other cases, stocks 

were listed due to conservation concerns, data needs, and/

or public interest in the stock. Seventy-three percent of key 

stocks identified for the Northwest Region were fish stocks, 

including 26 ESA-listed salmon stocks (Figure 4.4.3). A 

similar number of stocks listed under the FSSI (22) were 

identified. Four fish groups (categories), which included 

both FSSI and non-FSSI/non-ESA-listed stocks, were also 

included as key stocks. Fish groups are used by the Northwest Region as the basis for calculating and presenting discard estimates; fishery managers use them to determine 

if target harvest specifications for that group have been 

exceeded or if sorting is not required to the species level. 

In some cases, fish groups are used when individual fish 

are not identified to the stock or species level, on landing 

receipts in particular. For example, an observer may record 

species-level information on several retained skate species, but the landing receipt is recorded using “unspecified 

skates,” which can include multiple species of skates. Species included in a particular fish group can differ between 

fisheries, as they are determined by the specific catch or 

landings during a given year. The FSSI fish stocks from 

each grouping are included in the FSSI section of Table 

4.4.4, along with their status information. The non-FSSI/

non-ESA key fish stocks have been listed separately; no 

status information is available for these stocks.

Table 4.4.4

Key fish and marine mammal stocks and key sea turtle and seabird populations for the Northwest Region. Overfishing and overfished status is based on 2008 Quarter 1 FSSI report. 

Some species are listed twice due to occurrences in multiple groups.

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI a (cont.)

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas No No — rebuilding

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus No Yes

Deeper nearshore species:

 Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus Unknown No

 Brown rockfish Sebastes auriculatus Unknown Unknown

Other minor nearshore rockfish:

 Brown rockfish Sebastes auriculatus Unknown Unknown

 Gopher rockfish Sebastes carnatus Unknown No

Unspecified skate:

 Longnose skate Raja rhina Unknown No

Other nearshore rockfish:

 Gopher rockfish Sebastes carnatus Unknown No

Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Chinook salmon, California coastal Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Lower Columbia River Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Puget Sound Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Sacramento River winter run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Endangered

Chinook salmon, Snake River fall run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Snake River spring/summer run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Upper Columbia River spring run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Endangered

Chinook salmon, Upper Willamette River Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chum salmon, Columbia River Oncorhynchus keta Threatened

Chum salmon, Hood Canal summer run Oncorhynchus keta Threatened

Coho salmon, Central California coast Oncorhynchus kisutch Endangered

Coho salmon, Lower Columbia River Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened

Coho salmon, Southern Oregon and Northern 

California coasts Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened

Sockeye salmon, Ozette Lake Oncorhynchus nerka Threatened

Sockeye salmon, Snake River Oncorhynchus nerka Endangered

Steelhead, California Central Valley Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Table 4.4.4 (continued)

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA (cont.)

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Steelhead, Central California coast Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, Lower Columbia River Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, Middle Columbia River Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, Northern California Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, Snake River Basin Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, South-Central California coast Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, Southern California Oncorhynchus mykiss Endangered

Steelhead, Upper Columbia River Oncorhynchus mykiss Endangered

Steelhead, Upper Willamette River Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Key Fish Stocks Not Listed by FSSI or ESAa

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Dungeness crab Cancer magister

Not applicable

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis

Deeper nearshore species:

 Black-and-yellow rockfish Sebastes chrysomelas

 Copper rockfish Sebastes caurinus

 Olive rockfish Sebastes serranoides

 Treefish Sebastes serriceps

Other minor nearshore rockfish:

 Black-and-yellow rockfish Sebastes chrysomelas

 China rockfish Sebastes nebulosus

 Copper rockfish Sebastes caurinus

 Grass rockfish Sebastes rastrelliger

 Quillback rockfish Sebastes maliger

Unspecified skate:

 Big skate Raja binoculata

Other nearshore rockfish:

 China rockfish Sebastes nebulosus

 Grass rockfish Sebastes rastrelliger

 Kelp rockfish Sebastes atrovirens

 Quillback rockfish Sebastes maliger

Table 4.4.4 (continued)

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Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Endangered

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Endangered

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered

Killer whale, Southern Resident Orcinus orca Endangered

Sea otter, California Enhydra lutris nereis Endangered

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Endangered

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Endangered

Steller sea lion, Eastern Eumetopias jubatus Threatened

Steller sea lion, Western Eumetopias jubatus Endangered

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

ZMRG Stock status Common name Scientific name b

None

Key Sea Turtle Populations

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population Status

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas Threatened

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii Endangered

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Threatened

Key Seabird Populations Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population status

Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Endangered

California least tern Sterna antillarum browni Endangered

Hawaiian dark-rumped petral Pterodroma phaeopygia 

sandwichensis Endangered

Least tern, Interior population Sterna antillarum Endangered

Marbled murrelet, CA, OR, WA Brachyramphus marmoratus 

marmoratus Threatened

Newell’s Townsend’s shearwater Puffinus auricularis newelli Threatened

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus Endangered

Key Seabird Populations Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Bycatch concern Population status Common name Scientific name

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes Yes Stable/Increasing/

Decreasingc

a Several species are listed multiple times, as they are members of multiple fish groups. However, each species is counted only once as a key stock. b Stock status based on NMFS marine mammal stock assessments (Caretta, Forney, Lowry, et al. 2007). c Different colonies of black-footed albatross have different population trends (see Naughton et al. 2008a).

Table 4.4.4 (continued)

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Figure 4.4.3 

Key stocks in the Northwest Region, by resource type (n = 81).

Non-ESA, 

non-FSSI 

fish stocks

14% (11)

FSSI fish stocks

27% (22)

ESA fish stocks

32% (26)

Seabirds

10% (8)

Sea turtles

6% (5)

Fish

stocks

Marine

mammals

11% (9)

Breakdown of 

Fish Stocks

The majority of key fish stocks were added through the 

quantitative analysis process, as described in Section 3. 

Several fish stocks were also added through the qualitative 

process. A number of FSSI groundfish stocks—arrowtooth 

flounder (Atheresthes stomias), black rockfish (Sebastes 

melanops), cabezon (Scorpaenicthys marmoratus), Dover 

sole (Microstomus pacificas), English sole (Parophrys vetulus), lingcod (Ophiodon elongates), longspine thornyhead 

(Sebastolobus altivelis), Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes 

alutus), petrale sole (Eopsetta jordanii), shortspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus), and unspecified skate—

were added through the qualitative process, due to their 

importance as either catch or bycatch. The need to monitor 

discard of Pacific halibut and Dungeness crab, which are 

targets of important state fisheries, led the Northwest Region to add both species to the list of key stocks. 

The remaining 22 stocks are composed of 8 seabird 

populations (7 ESA-listed), 9 ESA-listed marine mammal 

populations, and 5 sea turtle populations (all sea turtles 

are ESA-listed; Figure 4.4.3). Note that the brown pelican 

(Pelecanus occidentalis) was delisted in 2009 due to its recovery; however, it is listed in this report as an ESA species 

for consistency with the timeframe of the data and management regulations discussed herein. Of the nine ESA-listed 

marine mammal key stocks, six are cetaceans, two are pinnipeds (Steller sea lion, eastern and western U.S. populations, which are listed separately under the ESA as distinct 

population segments), and one is a mustalid (California sea 

otter). Both populations of Steller sea lions may be taken 

in Northwest Regional fisheries, but the two cannot be differentiated without genetic sampling. One non-ESA-listed 

population of seabird, the black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), was added through the qualitative process. 

The black-footed albatross is also on the USFWS list of 

Birds of Conservation Concern. 

4.4.7. Northwest Region Bycatch Estimates

Bycatch estimates were provided for 3 marine mammal 

stocks, all sea turtle populations, 6 seabird populations, 

and 53 fish stocks found in the Northwest Region.

In Appendix 4.4, Tables A and B list fish bycatch estimates 

by fishery and species. Fish discard estimates were provided for seven of the nine fisheries in the Northwest Region 

with Federal or shared management or relevant Federal 

data-collection programs. Fish discard estimates were not 

available for the remaining fisheries with Federal or shared 

management: California halibut trawl, West Coast non-tribal Pacific halibut longline, and West Coast mid-water trawl 

for hake with shoreside processing. 

As discussed in Section 4.4.4, fish groups (e.g., deeper 

nearshore species) were used, as well as individual species. Members of species groups are listed in Appendix I of 

this report. Bycatch of two salmon species were provided 

in numbers of individuals, in accordance with current reporting requirements and the salmon fishery management 

structure. Individual number-to-weight conversions were 

not available. 

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Appendix 4.4, Tables C, D, and E list bycatch estimates by 

fishery for marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. All 

fisheries with Federal observer data that have no recorded 

takes of marine mammals, sea turtles, or seabirds have estimates of zero for those bycatch types. Bycatch estimates 

of marine mammals and seabirds in Pacific Coast ocean 

salmon fisheries were not available; however, these fisheries have minimal impact on marine mammals (PFMC 2000; 

NMFS 2003) and are listed as Category III fisheries under 

the MMPA. 

It should be noted that discard estimates provided in the 

U.S. National Bycatch Report appear higher than those 

used in regional total mortality reporting. This is in part due 

to the fact that regional total mortality reports apply discard 

mortality rates (DMRs) to some species or species groups, 

unlike the discard estimates provided in this report, which 

do not. 

4.4.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans 

for Northwest Region Fisheries 

Bycatch data collection and estimation improvement plans 

were developed for the seven Northwest fisheries with Federal management or relevant Federal data-collection programs, for which bycatch is currently estimated:

•	 West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear: limited-entry sablefish-endorsed fixed gear

•	 West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear: non-endorsed 

fixed gear

•	 West Coast groundfish limited-entry bottom trawl: groundfish bottom trawl

•	 West Coast mid-water trawl for whiting, at-sea processing

•	 California/Oregon nearshore rockfish

•	 West Coast salmon troll, non-tribal ocean

•	 West Coast salmon troll, tribal ocean

These fisheries were identified through the quantitative process as having bycatch of key species and/or high overall 

bycatch levels. 

4.4.8.1 Bycatch Estimation Improvement Plans 

for Northwest Fisheries of Focus 

General Recommendations

In addition to maintaining current coverage levels for all 

fisheries monitored by WCGOP and A-SHOP, the Northwest Regional team recommends funding to allow for dedicated staff analyst time to complete the following tasks for 

all WCGOP observed fisheries:

•	 Improve estimation methods by incorporating improvements for linking and tracking permits with landing receipts.

•	 Improve estimation methods by including measures of 

uncertainty for finfish bycatch.

•	 Explore alternative methods of improving analyses of 

marine mammal and seabird bycatch data.

These are feasible recommendations and can be implemented through providing additional time for a data analyst 

to explore and develop potential new methods.

4.4.8.2 Fishery-Specific Improvements

California/Oregon Nearshore Rockfish 

Tier Scores: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 Increased coverage of this fishery by the WCGOP is desired for improved characterization of fleet-wide discard 

and bycatch. 

•	 The potential observer effect on observed vessels compared to non-observed vessels has yet to be resolved. 

•	 Fishery landings data are still difficult to identify and define for this fishery overall. 

•	 Appropriate depth stratification of fishing effort in this fishery is also challenging. 

•	 A method is currently lacking for calculating a coefficient 

of variance or other measure of uncertainty.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest Regional team has recommended increasing observer coverage of this fishery: this is a feasible recommendation since the WCGOP already provides 

some fishery coverage and has, therefore, already implemented the infrastructure to collect bycatch data.

•	 It was recommended that additional sources of fishery 

data for improving estimation methods be explored: this 

is a feasible recommendation and can be implemented 

through providing additional time for data analysts to develop collaborations with state agencies and develop new 

methods based on incorporation of information found in 

state nearshore logbook data, or on a tracking system for 

state landings data. 

•	 Improving the estimation methods to include measures of 

uncertainty was also recommended.

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West Coast Groundfish Limited-Entry Bottom Trawl: 

Groundfish Bottom Trawl

Tier Scores: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 A method is currently lacking for calculating a CV or other 

measure of uncertainty.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest team has recommended improving the 

estimation method to include measures of uncertainty for 

estimates of finfish discard. 

•	 It was recommended to explore alternative methods of 

improving analyses of marine mammal and seabird bycatch data.

West Coast Groundfish Non-Trawl Gear: Limited-Entry 

Sablefish-Endorsed Fixed Gear

Tier Scores: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 The fishery has not previously tracked the limited-entry 

permit number on landing receipts to assist in determination of landings specific to this fishery and to assist in the 

determination of vessel participation in this fishery. Recent regulations (2007) now require the permit number 

to be listed on landing receipts to assist in tracking catch 

and landings for each permit associated with this fishery. 

•	 Estimation methods will need to be further adapted to incorporate the improved tracking of landings and vessel 

participation. 

•	 This fishery lacks a method for calculating a CV or other 

measure of uncertainty.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest team recommends adapting the estimation method to incorporate the use of landing receipts to 

link and track permits.

•	 It was recommended that the estimation method be improved to include measures of uncertainty for estimates 

of finfish discard.

A rockfish swims among deep-sea coral off the Washington State coast.

Ed Bowlby, NOAA

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•	 Exploring alternative methods to improve analyses of 

marine mammal and seabird bycatch data was also recommended. 

West Coast Groundfish Non-Trawl Gear: Non-Endorsed 

Fixed Gear

Tier Scores: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 Increased coverage of this fishery by the WCGOP is desired for improved characterization of fleet-wide discard 

and bycatch.

•	 A method is currently lacking for calculating a CV or other 

measure of uncertainty.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest Regional team has recommended increasing observer coverage of this fishery: this is a feasible recommendation since the WCGOP already provides some fishery coverage and has, therefore, already 

implemented the infrastructure to collect bycatch data. 

However, depending on recent coverage (during 2007), 

current rates may be high enough and no further increase 

would be needed.

•	 It was recommended that the estimation method be improved to include measures of uncertainty for estimates 

of finfish discard.

•	 Exploring alternative methods to improve analyses of marine mammal and seabird bycatch data was also recommended.

West Coast Mid-Water Trawl for Whiting, At-Sea Processing

Tier Scores: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 2

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 At-sea monitoring to collect potential discard information 

is not currently in place for catcher vessels delivering to 

mother ships.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest Regional team has recommended testing 

and deployment of EM systems aboard all at-sea catcher 

vessels. 

•	 Exploring alternative methods to improve analyses of 

marine mammal and seabird bycatch data was also recommended.

West Coast Salmon Troll, Non-Tribal Ocean

Tier Scores: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 Formerly limited state and tribal observer programs covering the ocean salmon fisheries have been discontinued 

due to lack of funding. This eliminates the ability to estimate discard with any scientific basis or accuracy. 

•	 A genetic stock identification (GSI) program is feasible 

for Chinook salmon and would provide estimates of the 

stock composition of discards, though there is not a perfect match between stocks that can be discriminated with 

GSI and those of fishery management and ESA concern.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest Regional team has recommended restoring and expanding observer programs, including nonlethal tissue collection for GSI, from discards. A minimal 

program could be implemented for approximately 750 

observer DAS, not including resources required for processing genetic samples. Obtaining adequate sample 

sizes may be an issue, given recent catch rates and current salmon abundance.

West Coast Salmon Troll, Tribal Ocean

Tier Scores: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 Formerly limited state and tribal observer programs covering the ocean salmon fisheries have been discontinued 

due to lack of funding. This eliminates the ability to estimate discard with any scientific basis or accuracy. 

•	 A GSI program is feasible for Chinook salmon and would 

provide estimates of the stock composition of discards, 

though there is not a perfect match between stocks that 

can be discriminated with GSI and those of fishery management and ESA concern.

Recommendations:

•	 The Northwest Regional team has recommended restoring state and tribal monitoring observer programs. Based 

on the requirements of the previous program, the tribal 

portion of the observer program could be implemented 

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with 83 DAS per year. This would be a minimal program, 

and obtaining adequate sample sizes may be an issue, 

given the catch rates associated with current salmon 

abundance.

4.4.8.3 Summary of Northwest Region 

Recommendations

Table 4.4.5 outlines bycatch data collection and estimation 

improvements recommended by the Northwest Region. In 

addition to maintaining current coverage levels for observed 

fisheries, a total of seven recommendations are made. All 

recommendations are specific to a particular fishery, with 

the exception of the team’s recommendation to fund additional data analyst time to improve estimation methods 

for WCGOP-observed fisheries. This recommendation has 

several components and applies to multiple fisheries. The 

cost of maintaining current coverage levels for Northwest 

observer programs was $5.941M (including $ 0.390M in 

industry funding) in FY 2008. The total known requirements to meet regional recommendations are one full-time 

staff member and 1,855 DAS per year. The feasibility of 

implementing these recommendations, as evaluated by the 

Northwest Regional team, is included in Table 4.4.5. 

Recommendationa Additional DASb Feasibility

Maintain observer coverage levels on all currently observed fisheries. ** High

Fund additional data analyst time to improve estimation methods for WCGOP. NA High

Increase observer coverage for the West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear, nonendorsed fixed gear fishery. 167 High

Explore additional sources of data for improving estimation methods in the CA/

OR nearshore rockfish fishery. NA High

Increase observer coverage of the CA/OR nearshore rockfish fishery. 625 High

Test and deploy EM systems aboard all West Coast mid-water trawls for whiting, 

at-sea catcher vessels. 225 High

Restore and expand observer programs for the West Coast non-tribal ocean 

salmon troll fishery. 750 Moderate

Restore and expand state and tribal observer programs for the West Coast tribal 

ocean troll fishery. 83 Moderate

Number of new full-time staff needed to implement all data-quality and estimation 

method improvements recommended by the Northwest Region: 1

Total DAS requirement for all recommendations*: 1,850

* This amount is in addition to the annual requirements of Northwest Regional observer programs.

a Some recommendations may require additional resource expenditures, such as equipment, which are not itemized. b One observer DAS includes the cost for the observer deployment as well as costs for associated equipment and program administrative functions (staffing). 

Table 4.4.5

Summary of the Northwest Region’s recommendations and estimated needs for implementation in terms of full-time staff and 

observer DAS.a All requirements are annual unless otherwise 

indicated; ** denotes no additional resource requirements. For 

further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8.

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Appendix 4.4 Northwest Region Bycatch Estimates

Subtable 4.4.A.1 CA/OR NEARSHORE ROCKFISH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Black rockfish Sebastes melanops 2005 12,125.41 Pounds

Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus 2005 7,716.17 Pounds

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis 2005 132.28 Pounds

Cabezon Scorpaenichthys marmoratus 2005 71,429.69 Pounds

California sheephead Semicossyphus pulcher 2005 40,565.01 Pounds

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger 2005 8,465.74 Pounds

Deeper nearshore species* 2005 27,557.78 Pounds

Kelp greenling Hexagrammos decagrammus 2005 21,825.74 Pounds

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus 2005 119,732.91 Pounds

Other minor nearshore 

rockfish, north* Sebastidae 2005 1,543.23 Pounds

Shallow nearshore species* 2005 20,943.89 Pounds

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas 2005 198.42 Pounds

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus 2005 3,813.99 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 336,050.23 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 894,561.00 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 1,230,611.23 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/TOTAL CATCH) 0.27

Table 4.4.A 

Subtables showing annual fish bycatch estimates and coefficient of variation (CV), 

where available, for Northwest fisheries. Bycatch estimates are in pounds or number of individuals. Key stocks are shaded. * following the name of a stock group 

(members of which are described in Appendix I) indicates a fishery for which bycatch estimates were available only for the generalized stock group. Fishery bycatch ratios = bycatch / (bycatch + landings). 

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Subtable 4.4.A.2

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

LIMITED-ENTRY SABLEFISH-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias 2005 115,963.01 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 63,933.98 Pounds

Blackgill rockfish Sebastes melanostomus 2005 220.46 Pounds

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger 2005 0.00 Pounds

Chilipepper rockfish Sebastes goodei 2005 0.00 Pounds

Cowcod Sebastes levis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri 2005 661.39 Pounds

Dover sole Microstomus pacificus 2005 4,409.25 Pounds

Dungeness crab Cancer magister 2005 1,543.24 Pounds

English sole Parophrys vetulus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus 2005 14,991.42 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 69,665.99 Pounds

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other flatfish 3* Pleuronectiformes 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other groundfish 3* 2005 11,464.02 Pounds

Other shelf rockfish 3* Sebastidae 2005 20,062.04 Pounds

Other slope rockfish 3* Sebastidae 2005 24,912.21 Pounds

Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus 2005 3,306.93 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus 2005 440.92 Pounds

Pacific whiting Merluccius productus 2005 881.85 Pounds

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani 2005 0.00 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 537,927.28 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 1,543.23 Pounds

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 197,974.88 Pounds

Splitnose rockfish Sebastes diploproa 2005 0.00 Pounds

Tanner crab Chionoecetes spp. 2005 9,920.79 Pounds

Unspecified skate 1* Rajidae 2005 26,675.90 Pounds

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas 2005 1,102.31 Pounds

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus 2005 1,102.31 Pounds

Yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus 2005 661.39 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,109,364.78 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 4,925,940.00 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 6,035,304.78 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/ TOTAL CATCH) 0.18

Table 4.4.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.4.A.3

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

NON-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias 2005 48,942.56 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 26,675.90 Pounds

Blackgill rockfish Sebastes melanostomus 2005 661.39 Pounds

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger 2005 0.00 Pounds

Chilipepper rockfish Sebastes goodei 2005 0.00 Pounds

Cowcod Sebastes levis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri 2005 440.92 Pounds

Dover sole Microstomus pacificus 2005 3,086.47 Pounds

Dungeness crab Cancer magister 2005 881.85 Pounds

English sole Parophrys vetulus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus 2005 6,172.94 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 40,785.47 Pounds

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other flatfish 3* 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other groundfish 3* 2005 6,393.40 Pounds

Other shelf rockfish 3* Sebastidae 2005 8,377.56 Pounds

Other slope rockfish 3* Sebastidae 2005 10,361.71 Pounds

Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus 2005 1,322.77 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus 2005 220.46 Pounds

Pacific whiting Merluccius productus 2005 440.92 Pounds

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani 2005 0.00 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 315,260.66 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 661.39 Pounds

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 104,719.45 Pounds

Splitnose rockfish Sebastes diploproa 2005 0.00 Pounds

Tanner crab Chionoecetes 2005 7,716.17 Pounds

Unspecified skate 1* Rajidae 2005 11,243.56 Pounds

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas 2005 440.92 Pounds

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus 2005 440.92 Pounds

Yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus 2005 220.46 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 595,467.85 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 3,498,089.00 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 4,093,556.85 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/ TOTAL CATCH) 0.15

Table 4.4.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.4.A.4

WEST COAST LIMITED-ENTRY BOTTOM TRAWL; 

GROUNDFISH BOTTOM TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias 2005 3,079,854.14 Pounds

Big skate Raja binoculata 2005 244,712.82 Pounds

Black rockfish Sebastes melanops 2005 2,204.62 Pounds

Blackgill rockfish Sebastes melanostomus 2005 4,409.24 Pounds

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis 2005 61,067.97 Pounds

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger 2005 47,619.79 Pounds

Chilipepper rockfish Sebastes goodei 2005 114,640.24 Pounds

Cowcod Sebastes levis 2005 3,086.47 Pounds

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri 2005 52,249.49 Pounds

Dover sole Microstomus pacificus 2005 1,446,232.44 Pounds

Dungeness crab Cancer magister 2005 559,974.15 Pounds

English sole Parophrys vetulus 2005 665,795.24 Pounds

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus 2005 844,369.46 Pounds

Longnose skate Raja rhina 2005 1,404,342.94 Pounds

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis 2005 202,825.04 Pounds

Other flatfish 1* Pleuronectiformes 2005 1,611,577.22 Pounds

Other groundfish 1* 2005 3,359,840.88 Pounds

Other nearshore rockfish Sebastidae 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other shelf rockfish 1* Sebastidae 2005 178,574.22 Pounds

Other slope rockfish 1* Sebastidae 2005 59,524.74 Pounds

Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus 2005 8,818.48 Pounds

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis 2005 954,172.76 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus 2005 23,809.90 Pounds

Pacific whiting Merluccius productus 2005 1,812,197.64 Pounds

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani 2005 121,254.10 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 1,155,220.88 Pounds

Shortbelly rockfish Sebastes jordani 2005 2,204.62 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 293,214.46 Pounds

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 2,352,329.54 Pounds

Splitnose rockfish Sebastes diploproa 2005 317,465.28 Pounds

Tanner crab Chionoecetes 2005 555,564.24 Pounds

Unspecified skate 1* Rajidae 2005 304,237.56 Pounds

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas 2005 7,275.25 Pounds

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus 2005 1,322.77 Pounds

Yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus 2005 63,933.98 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 21,915,920.18 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 42,728,085.00 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 64,644,005.18 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/ TOTAL CATCH) 0.34

Table 4.4.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.4.A.5

WEST COAST MID-WATER TRAWL FOR WHITING, 

AT-SEA PROCESSING

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias 2005 0.00 Pounds

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger 2005 881.85 Pounds

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri 2005 8,818.48 Pounds

Dover sole Microstomus pacificus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Dungeness crab Cancer magister 2005 0.00 Pounds

English sole Parophrys vetulus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus 2005 3,306.93 Pounds

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other flatfish 2* Pleuronectiformes 2005 2,204.62 Pounds

Other groundfish 2* 2005 0.00 Pounds

Other shelf rockfish 2* Sebastidae 2005 2,204.62 Pounds

Other slope rockfish 2* Sebastidae 2005 17,636.96 Pounds

Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus 2005 440.92 Pounds

Pacific whiting Merluccius productus 2005 1,223,564.10 Pounds

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani 2005 0.00 Pounds

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2005 11,023.10 Pounds

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2005 110,231.00 Pounds

Tanner crab Chionoecetes 2005 0.00 Pounds

Unspecified skate 2* Rajidae 2005 2,204.62 Pounds

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas 2005 118,388.09 Pounds

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus 2005 105,821.76 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,606,727.05 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 279,653,842.38 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 281,260,569.43 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/ TOTAL CATCH) 0.01

Table 4.4.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.4.A.5 WEST COAST SALMON TROLL, NON-TRIBAL OCEAN

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 157,200.00 Individuals

Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch 2005 27,400.00 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 184,600.00 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 629,600.00 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 814,200.00 Individuals

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/TOTAL CATCH) 0.23

Subtable 4.4.A.6 WEST COAST SALMON TROLL, TRIBAL OCEAN

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 2005 13,200.00 Individuals

Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch 2005 2,600.00 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 15,800.00 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 65,800.00 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY CATCH (BYCATCH + LANDINGS) 81,600.00 Individuals

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (BYCATCH/ TOTAL CATCH) 0.19

Table 4.4.A (continued)

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TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCH

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGS 

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias

All Northwest Region 

bycatch estimates 

are provided at the 

species level.

3,244,759.71 Pounds 4,921,775.00 Pounds 0.40

Big skatea Raja binoculata 335,322.70 Pounds – – **

Black rockfish Sebastes melanops 14,330.03 Pounds 390,830.00 Pounds 0.04

Blackgill rockfish Sebastes 

melanostomus 5,291.09 Pounds 119,722.00 Pounds 0.04

Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus 7,716.17 Pounds 42,134.00 Pounds 0.15

Bocaccio Sebastes 

paucispinis 61,200.25 Pounds 15,797.00 Pounds 0.79

Cabezon Scorpaenichthys 

marmoratus 71,429.69 Pounds 131,988.00 Pounds 0.35

California sheephead Semicossyphus 

pulcher 40,565.01 Pounds 88,287.00 Pounds 0.31

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger 56,967.38 Pounds 26,671.00 Pounds 0.68

Chilipepper rockfish Sebastes goodei 114,640.24 Pounds 146,380.00 0.44

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus 

tshawytscha 170,400.00 Individuals 12,992,711.00 Pounds **

Coho salmon Oncorhynchus 

kisutch 30,000.00 Individuals 5,005,112.00 Pounds **

Cowcod Sebastes levis 3,086.47 Pounds 85.00 Pounds 0.97

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri 62,170.28 Pounds 188,740.00 Pounds 0.25

Deeper nearshore 

species* 27,557.75 Pounds – – **

Dover sole Microstomus 

pacificus 1,453,726.43 Pounds 15,204,016.00 Pounds 0.09

Dungeness crab Cancer magister 562,398.56 Pounds 60,674,411.00 Pounds 0.01

English sole Parophrys vetulus 665,795.24 Pounds 2,426,006.00 Pounds 0.22

Kelp greenling Hexagrammos 

decagrammus 21,825.74 Pounds 49,991.00 Pounds 0.30

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus 988,573.66 Pounds 448,785.00 Pounds 0.69

Longnose skatea Raja rhina 1,514,794.40 Pounds – – **

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus 

altivelis 202,825.04 Pounds 1,463,267.00 Pounds 0.12

Other flatfish 1* Pleuronectiformes 1,611,577.22 Pounds – – **

Other flatfish 2* Pleuronectiformes 2,204.62 Pounds – – **

Table 4.4.B

Summary of Northwest Region fish bycatch by stocks and species. Key stocks are shaded. 

Where data were available, species bycatch ratios were calculated using the following formula: species bycatch ratio = bycatch of all substocks/(bycatch of all substocks + species 

landings). * Landings are not available for species groups, as it was not possible to determine 

the exact composition of the bycatch group and the proportion of bycatch and landings to 

allocate to each species. **Bycatch ratios could not be developed when bycatch estimates 

were provided either as numbers of individuals or as both individuals and pounds, or where 

landings were not available.

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TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCH

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH SPECIES LANDINGS 

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIO

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Other flatfish 3* Pleuronectiformes

All Northwest Region 

bycatch estimates 

are provided at the 

species level.

0.00 Pounds – – **

Other groundfish 1* 3,359,840.88 Pounds – – **

Other groundfish 2* 0.00 Pounds – – **

Other groundfish 3* 17,857.42 Pounds – – **

Other minor nearshore 

rockfish - north* Sebastidae 1,543.23 Pounds – – **

Other nearshore 

rockfish Sebastidae 0.00 Pounds – – **

Other shelf rockfish 1* Sebastidae 178,574.22 Pounds – – **

Other shelf rockfish 2* Sebastidae 2,204.62 Pounds – – **

Other shelf rockfish 3* Sebastidae 28,439.60 Pounds – – **

Other slope rockfish 1* Sebastidae 59,524.74 Pounds – – **

Other slope rockfish 2* Sebastidae 17,636.96 Pounds – – **

Other slope rockfish 3* Sebastidae 35,273.92 Pounds – – **

Pacific cod Gadus 

macrocephalus 13,448.18 Pounds 1,997,855.00 Pounds 0.01

Pacific halibut Hippoglossus 

stenolepis 954,172.76 Pounds 2,305,632.00 Pounds 0.29

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus 24,912.20 Pounds 112,561.00 Pounds 0.18

Pacific whiting Merluccius 

productus 3,037,084.51 Pounds 237,592,889.00 Pounds 0.01

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani 121,254.10 Pounds 6,026,883.00 Pounds 0.02

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria 2,019,431.92 Pounds 13,717,108.00 Pounds 0.13

Shallow nearshore 

species* 20,943.89 Pounds – – **

Shortbelly rockfishb Sebastes jordani 2,204.62 Pounds – – **

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus 

alascanus 295,419.08 Pounds 1,375,932.00 Pounds 0.18

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 2,765,254.87 Pounds 1,207,583.00 Pounds 0.70

Splitnose rockfisha Sebastes diploproa 317,465.28 Pounds – Pounds **

Tanner crabb Chionoecetes 573,201.20 Pounds – –

Unspecified skate 1* Rajidae 342,157.02 Pounds – – **

Unspecified skate 2* Rajidae 2,204.62 Pounds – – **

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas 127,404.99 Pounds 236,018.00 Pounds 0.35

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes 

ruberrimus 6,679.99 Pounds – – **

Yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus 170,637.59 Pounds 1,685,646.00 Pounds 0.09

 a It was not possible to allocate landings to species. b Species is not targeted and is not landed or rarely landed.

Table 4.4.B (continued) 

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Subtable 4.4.C.1

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

LIMITED-ENTRY SABLEFISH-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

California sea lion Zalophus californianus 2005 14.0 Individuals 0.41

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 14.0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.C.2

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

NON-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal 

species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.C.3

WEST COAST LIMITED-ENTRY BOTTOM TRAWL; 

GROUNDFISH BOTTOM TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

California sea lion Zalophus californianus 2005 19.7 Individuals 0.45

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 19.7 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.C.4

WEST COAST MID-WATER TRAWL 

FOR WHITING, AT-SEA PROCESSING

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus 2005 2.4 Individuals 0.30

Harbor seal Phoca vitulina 2005 1.2 Individuals 0.42

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3.6 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.C.5 CA/OR FOR NEARSHORE ROCKFISH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All marine mammal species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.C.6 (SUMMARY) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NUMBER UNIT

California sea lion Zalophus californianus 33.7 Individuals

Harbor seal Phoca vitulina 1.2 Individuals

Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus 2.4 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 37.3 Individuals

Table 4.4.C 

Subtables showing marine mammal bycatch estimates for Northwest Region fisheries. All bycatch estimates and coefficients of variation (CVs) are in number of individuals. Bycatch estimates are from the 

year 2005 exclusively and reflect incidental mortality and serious injury. Key stocks and populations 

are shaded.

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Subtable 4.4.D.1

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

LIMITED-ENTRY SABLEFISH-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.D.2

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

NON-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.D.3

WEST COAST LIMITED-ENTRY BOTTOM TRAWL; 

GROUNDFISH BOTTOM TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.D.4

WEST COAST MID-WATER TRAWL FOR WHITING, 

AT-SEA PROCESSING

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.D.5 CA/OR FOR NEARSHORE ROCKFISH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE NUMBER UNIT CV

All sea turtle species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.D.6 (SUMMARY) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NUMBER UNIT

All sea turtle species 0 Individuals

Table 4.4.D 

Subtables showing sea turtle bycatch estimates (mortalities + individuals released alive) for Northwest Region fisheries. Shading indicates key species. All 

bycatch estimates are in number of individuals. Bycatch estimates are from the 

year 2005 exclusively. 

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Subtable 4.4.E.1

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

LIMITED-ENTRY SABLEFISH-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes 2005 56.8 Individuals 0.40

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 56.8 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.E.2

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: 

NON-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 2005 35.6 Individuals 1.00

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 35.6 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.E.3

WEST COAST LIMITED-ENTRY BOTTOM TRAWL; 

GROUNDFISH BOTTOM TRAWL

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Unidentified gull Laridae 2005 3.8 Individuals 0.86

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 3.8 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.E.4

WEST COAST MID-WATER TRAWL FOR WHITING, 

AT-SEA PROCESSING

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes 2005 2.0 Individuals

Common murre Uria aalge 2005 2.0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2005 2.0 Individuals

Sooty shearwater Puffinus griseus 2005 2.0 Individuals

Unidentified sea bird Laridae 2005 2.0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 10.0 Individuals

Subtable 4.4.E.6 CA/OR FOR NEARSHORE ROCKFISH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

All seabird species 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Table 4.4.E 

Subtables showing seabird bycatch estimates for Northwest fisheries. All bycatch estimates and coefficients of variation (CVs) are in number of individuals. 

Bycatch estimates are from the year 2005 exclusively. Key stocks/populations 

are shaded.

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Subtable 4.4.E.7 (SUMMARY) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH 

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes 58.8 Individuals

Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 35.6 Individuals

Common murre Uria aalge 2.0 Individuals

Northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis 2.0 Individuals

Sooty shearwater Puffinus griseus 2.0 Individuals

Unidentified gull Laridae 3.8 Individuals

Unidentified seabird 2.0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 106.2 Individuals

Table 4.4.E (continued)

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SOUTHWEST REGION

4.5 Southwest Region

The NMFS Southwest Region is responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of marine species 

found off the coast of California in the U.S. EEZ. These 

waters include the U.S. portion of the California Coastal 

Current LME, known as one of the major coastal upwelling 

areas of the world.1 This nutrient-rich environment supports 

a wide variety of marine life as well as diverse fisheries. 

The PFMC, in conjunction with NMFS, is responsible for 

managing fisheries in the Southwest Region. 

4.5.1 Fisheries Overview

A total of 25 commercial fisheries are included in this report on the Southwest Region (Table 4.5.1). These fisheries 

were valued at approximately $116 million2 in 2005. Management jurisdiction for Southwest Region fisheries occurs 

at many levels (Figure 4.5.1) since species and fisheries 

cross regional and national boundaries. For example, the 

NMFS Northwest Region manages Federal groundfish fisheries extending the length of the U.S. West Coast, and it 

also manages Federal salmon fisheries with support from 

the Southwest Region. Additionally, three Southwest Region HMS fisheries occur in international waters. 

Over half of the commercial fisheries prosecuted in the 

Southwest Region are managed at the state level (Figure 

4.5.1). Twenty percent of Southwest Region commercial 

fisheries are federally managed.

The Southwest Region coordinates with PFMC to provide 

information necessary to develop and monitor Federal 

FMPs for the Southwest Region. The PFMC has two FMPs 

in place in this region: the Coastal Pelagics Species FMP 

and the U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory 

Species FMP. The Coastal Pelagics FMP, implemented in 

1999, was developed from the PFMC’s 1978 Northern Anchovy FMP to manage all CPS. The coastal purse seine 

fishery for anchovy, mackerel, and sardine is managed 

under this FMP. The U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species FMP (implemented in 2004) regulates 

catch of tunas, billfish/swordfish, sharks, and other HMS 

species in West Coast fisheries, e.g., mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as dorado or dolphinfish. Seven 

of the Southwest Region’s fisheries are managed under this 

FMP. Fisheries managed under this FMP are described in 

the annual SAFE report published each year by the PFMC 

(available at http://www.pcouncil.org).

The CDFG is the primary management authority for regional state-managed fisheries. The CDFG works jointly with 

1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/.

2 Ex-vessel landings value, Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2006. Available online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/fisheries_economics_2006.

html. Landings values are for the State of California only. 

the Southwest Region to manage fisheries that cross the 

state/Federal border. Data-sharing agreements are in place 

for all fisheries. For example, CDFG shares effort and logbook data for state fisheries such as the halibut set gillnet 

fishery and coastal pelagic purse seine fisheries for squid, 

anchovy, mackerel, and sardine. The Southwest Region 

also works with the ODFW to manage the northern portion 

of the pelagic drift gillnet fishery, where the fishing area includes state and Federal waters.

In international waters, the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) 

bait-boat and Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) tuna purse 

seine fisheries are regulated by the Inter-American Tropical 

Tuna Commission (IATTC), whereas the Central Western 

Pacific tuna purse seine fishery is regulated by the Forum 

Fisheries Agency (FFA) under a FMP administered by the 

Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council (WPFMC).

4.5.2 Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns

Staff at the NMFS Southwest Regional Office, Southwest 

Fisheries Science Center, and regional NMFS field offices 

work with staff of the PSMFC (the regional interstate fisheries management commission) and state offices to conserve, manage, and develop the fishery resources of the 

U.S. West Coast. These partnerships are critical to developing bycatch reduction strategies for West Coast fisheries. 

Efforts have been concentrated on the dominant fisheries 

and gear types of the Southwest Region: gillnet, coastal 

purse seine, and tuna purse seine. 

Gillnet

Attention to bycatch in the Southwest Region has been 

largely limited to three gillnet fisheries with a history of marine mammal interactions: the California/Oregon drift gillnet 

fishery (mesh size greater than 14 inches) targeting swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus); 

the California set gillnet fishery (mesh size up to 14 inches) 

targeting halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) and white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis); and the California small-mesh 

drift gillnet fishery (mesh size between 3.5 and 14 inches) 

targeting yellowtail (Seriola lalandei) and white seabass 

(Atractoscion nobilis). Marine mammal bycatch has been 

estimated for fisheries with observer programs since 1990, 

as required by the MMPA. Amendments to the MMPA in 

1994 required fisheries and management agencies to reduce marine mammal bycatch to sustainable levels. In 

1996, the Pacific Offshore Cetacean TRT was created to 

address bycatch of several marine mammal species in the 

swordfish and thresher shark gillnet fishery (bycatch reduction efforts are described further in Barlow and Cameron 

2003). In 1997, a TRP was implemented. The main technology introduced to reduce cetacean bycatch in this fishery 

was acoustic pingers. Although cetacean bycatch has been 

reduced by approximately 50% in the California/Oregon 

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name) Data Sourcesc

California Coastal 

Purse Seine for Tuna Federal

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Purse seine

Pacific bluefin, 

yellowfin, and 

skipjack tunas

Observer, 

logbook, landing 

receipts

California Pelagic 

Longline Federal

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Longline, 

surface, midwater

Swordfish, 

bigeye tuna 

Observer, 

logbook, MMPA 

formd

North Pacific Albacore 

Baitboat: Pole and Line Federal

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Hook and line Albacore tuna Observer, 

logbook 

North Pacific 

Albacore Troll Federal

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Troll lines Albacore tuna Observer, 

logbook

South Pacific 

Albacore Troll Federal

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Troll lines Albacore tuna Observer, 

logbook 

California Coastal 

Purse Seine for 

Anchovy, Mackerel, 

Sardine

Federal, State Coastal Pelagic 

Species (PFMC) Purse seine

Northern anchovy, 

Pacific mackerel, 

sardine

Observer, 

logbook, landing 

receipts

CA/OR Drift Gillnet 

(mesh size >14 inches) 

for Swordfish and 

Thresher Shark

Federal, State

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Gillnet, floating 

drift

Swordfish and 

thresher shark

Observer, 

logbook, MMPA 

formd

California Swordfish 

Harpoon Federal, State 

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species

Harpoons Swordfish Logbook

Central Western Pacific 

Tuna Purse Seine International Purse seine Yellowfin, bigeye, 

and skipjack tunas

Eastern Pacific Ocean 

(EPO) Tuna Purse 

Seine

International

Purse seine 

and fish 

aggregating 

devices (FADs)

Yellowfin, bigeye, 

and skipjack tunas

Eastern Tropical Pacific 

(ETP) Baitboat International Hook and line Yellowfin, bigeye, 

and skipjack tunas

California Abalone State

By hand, no 

scuba diving 

gear permitted

Abalone

California Coastal 

Purse Seine for Squid State Purse seine Market squid

Observer, 

logbook, landing 

receipts

California Herring 

Gillnet State Gillnet Pacific herring

California Live Fish 

Hook-and-Line State Hook and line Rockfish

Table 4.5.1 

Southwest Region fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. 

Fisheries are listed alphabetically by management authority and then by 

individual fishery name. Rows containing fisheries for which bycatch estimates are included in this report are shaded. 

bN-4.5 text--betterAlign.indd 346 2/5/12 
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SOUTHWEST REGION

 Fisherya

Management 

Authority

Federal Fishery 

Management Plan 

(FMP)b Gear Type

Target Species 

(common name) Data Sourcesc

California Salmon 

Enhancement Rearing 

Pen

State Aquaculture Pacific salmon 

California Sea Urchin State By hand, diving 

gear

Sea urchin

California Set Gillnet 

(mesh size up to 14 

inches)

State Gillnet, sink 

anchor

California halibut, 

white seabass

Observer, 

logbook

California Set Gillnet 

(stretched mesh size of 

3.5 or less)

State Gillnet Barracuda, perch, 

croaker

California Small-Mesh 

Drift Gillnet (mesh size 

>3.5 in and <14 in)

State Gillnet, floating 

drift

White seabass, 

yellowtail

Observer, 

logbook

California Squid Dip 

Net State Dip nets Market squid

California Trap/Pot State Pots and traps California spiny 

lobster

California White 

Seabass Enhancement 

Net Pens

State Aquaculture White seabass

CA/OR/WA Bait Pens State Aquaculture Northern anchovy

CA/OR Hagfish Pot or 

Trap

State Pots and traps Hagfish

a Aquaculture fisheries are listed for consistency with the MMPA List of Fisheries when they occur, but are not analyzed for the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report. Recreational fisheries are not included in this report.

b Note that non-Federal FMPs were not identified through this process.

c Bycatch data sources were evaluated only for Federal fisheries and non-Federal fisheries with Federal data-collection programs.

d This is the self-reporting form required under the MMPA for any injured or killed marine mammal.

Figure 4.5.1 

Management jurisdiction for Southwest Region fisheries 

(percentages are based on numbers of fisheries, not volume 

or revenue; n = 25). “Shared” indicates fisheries for which 

international, Federal, state, and/or tribal authorities share 

management.

Table 4.5.1 (continued)

Federal

20% (5)

Shared

12% (3)

State

56% (14)

International

12% (3)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

drift gillnet fishery (mesh size greater than 14 inches), the 

TRT still meets to discuss measures that will further reduce 

bycatch, in an effort to meet ZMRG measures under the 

MMPA. Gillnet fisheries in this region have also been subject to time and area closures to protect leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea 

turtles and seabird (NMFS 2000). Although other species, 

such as sharks and finfish, occur as bycatch in Southwest 

Region gillnet fisheries, efforts to estimate bycatch of these 

species have only recently been implemented. 

Coastal Purse Seine

Purse seine fisheries also operate off the U.S. West Coast, 

targeting tuna and CPS such as jack mackerel (Trachurus 

symmetricus), market squid (Loligo opalescens), northern 

anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber 

japonicus), and Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). These 

fisheries use encircling nets to capture single-species 

schools of these ecologically important components of the 

Pacific Coast ecosystem. Many other fish, marine mammal, 

sea turtle, and seabird populations depend on CPS stocks 

for food. These CPS fisheries are also subject to observer 

programs and monitoring. A pilot observer program was 

initiated in 2004 for the coastal purse seine fishery targeting CPS species operating off California. Trans-boundary 

stocks of CPS species are exploited in fisheries from northern California to Mexico. West Coast CPS fisheries are 

generally viewed as healthy and well managed, and even 

underutilized in some cases (e.g., jack mackerel and northern anchovy). Within the Southwest Region, the federally 

managed fisheries target primarily anchovy, sardine, and 

mackerel stocks, while the state-managed coastal purse 

seine fishery targets squid. Although stocks of ESA-listed 

salmon species may occasionally occur as bycatch in both 

Federal and state fisheries, bycatch is negligible overall, 

primarily consisting of other CPS species. Several measures have been proposed to minimize bycatch (e.g., the 

use of grates to cover openings of holds through which fish 

are pumped). A small portion of the Federal fleet also targets bluefin (Thunnus orientalis) and yellowfin (Thunnus 

albacares) tuna in southern California waters during warmwater years, and a pilot observer program has also been 

implemented to monitor these activities.

Tuna Purse Seine

During the 1970s, the EPO tuna purse seine fishery’s practice of setting nets around dolphins to capture associated 

tuna schools resulted in high annual dolphin mortality rates. 

In 1972, Congress ratified the MMPA, and NMFS began 

placing fishery observers aboard EPO tuna purse seine 

vessels to monitor incidental capture rates of dolphins. 

The tuna–dolphin observer program was turned over to the 

IATTC in 1995, as U.S. vessel participation in the fishery 

declined. Bycatch of dolphins by the tuna purse seine fishery is limited by the Agreement on the International Dolphin 

Conservation Program (AIDCP). Today, U.S. fishery vessel 

participation in this fishery is extremely low, and no U.S. 

vessels currently set on dolphins. Under current regulations, all large U.S. vessels carry observers while fishing, 

and the IATTC tracks estimates of finfish and dolphin mortality for all vessel classes. NMFS continues its efforts to 

reduce bycatch of dolphins in the ETP by U.S. and foreign 

vessels through its support of the IATTC and through the 

certification of “Dolphin Safe” tuna. 

4.5.3 Data Sources

Table 4.5.1 lists bycatch data sources available for Southwest Region fisheries that are federally managed or have 

relevant Federal data-collection programs. Observer programs in the region focus on estimating marine mammal 

bycatch, although fish discard data are collected by observers as well. Bycatch data may also be collected through 

Federal and state logbook reporting programs, though the 

level of underreporting of bycatch through self-reports is 

typically high. 

4.5.3.1 Observer Program 

Observer programs conducted in the past 10 years are listed in Table 4.5.2. Observer data include information on the 

number of fishing sets observed, bycatch per set, fishing 

location, and oceanographic variables such as sea surface 

temperature. Fishing gear variables such as net length, 

presence or absence of acoustic deterrent devices, and 

extender lengths are also part of the observer database. 

Biological samples such as teeth, skin, and gonads are 

collected when possible. In some cases the entire carcass 

may be retained for analysis. The region’s observer data are 

stored in Microsoft Access files and screened manually, following observer debriefing.

During 2005, the Southwest Region observed 499 sea days 

of commercial fishing activities and maintained 50% coverage for the pelagic longline fishery. The region has implemented pilot or baseline observer programs for several 

fisheries (the Pacific albacore troll, California CPS purse 

seine, Southern California set gillnet, and West Coast HMS 

recreational charter fisheries). Two of the region’s observer 

programs (California/Oregon pelagic drift gillnet and California pelagic longline) are observed at adequate or nearadequate levels of coverage. 

4.5.3.2 Self-Reported Data

Two types of self-reported data are available for use in 

bycatch estimation: logbook data and landings receipts. 

Logbooks document catch, fishing effort, and location, as 

well as some information on fishing gear, and are availbN-4.5 text--betterAlign.indd 348 2/5/12 
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Observer Program Fisheries

Authority to 

Place Observers Program Duration Coverage Level

California Coastal Pelagic 

Species Purse Seine 

CA coastal purse seine 

for anchovy, mackerel, 

sardine

MMPA

Cat. II

(50 CFR 660.519)

2004–present

2005: 1.5%

2006: 1.5%

2007: 1.5–5%

CA coastal purse seine 2008: NA

forsquid

California/Oregon 

Pelagic Drift Gillnet 

CA/OR drift gillnet (mesh 

size >14 inches) for 

swordfish and thresher 

shark

MMPA

Cat. I,

MSA

(50 CFR 660.719)

1990–present 2005–07: 20%

2008: 13–14%

California Pelagic 

Longline CA pelagic longline

MMPA

Cat. II, MSA

(50 CFR 660.719)

2001–present 2005: 50%

2006–08: 100%

California Small-Mesh 

Drift Gillnet 

California small mesh drift 

gillnet (mesh size >3.5 in 

and < 14 in)

MMPA Cat. II, 

MSA

(50 CFR 660.719)

2002–04 2005–08: NA

California Set Gillnet California set gillnet (mesh 

size up to 14 inches)

MMPA Cat. I (50 CFR 

229) 2006

2005: NA

2006: <1%

2007–08: NA

Pacific Albacore Troll 

North Pacific albacore 

baitboat: pole and line MSA

(50 CFR 660.719) 1990–2006

2005: <1%

2006: <1%

2007–08: NA North Pacific albacore troll

South Pacific albacore troll

Southern California 

Tuna Purse Seine 

CA coastal purse seine 

for tuna

MSA

(50 CFR 660.719) 2004–05 2005: 20%

2006–08: NA

West Coast HMS 

Recreational Charter 

Vessels

NA—no recreation 

fisheries included in this 

edition of the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report

MSA

(50 CFR 660.719) 2006

2005: NA

2006: 2%

2007–08: NA

Table 4.5.2

Current Southwest Region Federal observer programs (fisheries observed and 

coverage levels across all fisheries), listed alphabetically by program and then by 

fishery. Observer programs that ended over 10 years ago are not listed here.

able for several Southwest Region fisheries (Table 4.5.1). 

The Southwest Region and CDFG collect information 

on catch and discard in jointly managed fisheries including the coastal purse seine fishery for squid, drift gillnet 

fishery (1981 to present), and the state-managed set gillnet fishery (1990 to present). Logbooks are required for 

these fisheries, either by the CDFG (for state waters) or 

by NMFS (for Federal waters). NMFS also requires logbooks for some Federal fisheries, such as the pelagic 

longline fishery and the coastal purse seine fishery for tuna. 

In addition to logbook reporting, there is a requirement 

under the MMPA marine mammal authorization program 

(MMAP) that all vessel owners or operators, regardless of 

the category of fishery they participate in, must report all 

incidental injuries and mortalities of marine mammals that 

occur as a result of commercial fishing operations. Reports 

must be sent to NMFS by mail or fax within 48 hours of the 

end of a fishing trip in which the serious injury or mortality 

occurred or, for non-vessel fisheries, within 48 hours of the 

occurrence. Direct comparisons of self-reported data and 

observer data for specific fisheries show that the number of 

self-reports is biased low. 

Once received by NMFS, logbook data are entered into 

a database and edited. Logbook estimates of discard are 

reported to regional fisheries management organizations 

(RFMOs) for all international fisheries. NMFS also receives 

copies of U.S. logbook and observer reports from IATTC. 

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4.5.3.3 Landings Receipts

Landings data are also available for all the fisheries discussed above, spanning the time period from 1981 to the 

present, and are used in extrapolating discard estimates 

to the entire fishery. Landings data are available from the 

PacFIN system, which houses landing receipt data from 

California, Oregon, and Washington.

4.5.4 Southwest Region Bycatch 

Estimation Methods

Estimation of marine mammal, sea turtle, and seabird bycatch in the Southwest Region was accomplished using 

mean per-unit or ratio estimators (Cochran 1977) and the 

resulting bycatch estimates have been published in peerreviewed journals (Julian and Beeson 1998; Forney et al. 

2001; Carretta et al. 2005). Estimates of finfish bycatch are 

currently being developed for select fisheries, and analytical 

methods will be similar to those used for marine mammals.

Bycatch estimation in the Southwest Region requires a 

combination of observer program data and estimates of 

overall fishing effort. Observer data include information 

on the number of fishing sets observed, bycatch per set, 

fishing location, and oceanographic variables such as sea 

surface temperature. Fishing gear variables such as net 

length, presence or absence of acoustic deterrent devices, 

and extender lengths are also part of the observer database. Fishing effort estimates may come directly from vessel logbooks, dock surveys of vessel activity, landing receipts, systematic tallies of fishing effort by the observer 

program contractor with the cooperation of the fishermen, 

or a combination of all of these sources. Once observer 

and fishing effort data are in hand, bycatch estimates can 

be generated. 

The Southwest Region uses a mean per-unit or ratio estimator to extrapolate bycatch observations from a small percentage of overall fishing effort to an entire fishery. The critical assumption in this method is that fishing methods are 

homogeneous across all vessels and areas in the fishery. 

For this reason, vessels are selected at random so that a 

representative sample of fishing effort is obtained by the observer program. Some vessels in a fishery are not observable because they may lack berthing space for an observer. 

In these cases, alternative methods of observation (such as 

video monitoring systems) may be employed.

Bycatch is estimated annually, rather than within a fishing 

season, to better overlap with fishery management reporting requirements. No geographic or seasonal strata are 

used in estimating bycatch rates, because previous studies showed no improvement in mortality estimates or coefficients of variation (CVs) with stratification (Carretta 2001). 

Yeung (1999) also found that point estimates of marine 

mammal and sea turtle bycatch were insensitive to stratification, while pooling improved the precision of bycatch estimates. The bycatch ratio for each species is calculated as:

(1)

where bs is the observed bycatch of species s during a fishing trip and d is the number of days (i.e., sets) observed 

during the trip. The variance of the bycatch rate ( ), 

is estimated using a bootstrap procedure where one trip 

represents the sampling unit. Trips are resampled with replacement until each bootstrap sample contains the same 

number of trips as the actual observed effort level. A bycatch rate is then calculated from each bootstrap sample. 

This procedure is repeated 1,000 times, from which the 

bootstrap or bycatch rate sample variance is calculated.

Annual bycatch estimates ( ) for species s and the variance of the bycatch estimate ( ) are estimated for each 

species using the following formulae:

(2)

(3)

where

 is the estimated maximum number of days (i.e., sets 

 fished,

is the kill rate per set for species s, and

is the bootstrap estimate of the kill rate variance.

The precision of a bycatch estimate is typically reported as 

a CV, where lower values represent increased precision. 

The CV of a bycatch estimate is calculated simply as the 

square root of the bycatch estimate variance, divided by the 

bycatch estimate:

(4)

4.5.5  Tier Classification for Southwest

Region Fisheries

Data quality and bycatch estimation methods were evaluated for 11 of the 25 fisheries in the Southwest Region. Only 

Federal fisheries and fisheries with relevant Federal datacollection programs were evaluated. Other data may be 

available for state, international, and tribal fisheries; how2 σ of

ˆ ∑

∑= d

b

r s

s

ˆ

sr

2 σ

ms ˆ

m

ms ˆ = D rs ˆ ˆ

2 σm = Dˆ 2 2 σr

Dˆ

 rˆs

2 σr

mˆ

2

s

m CV σ =

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SOUTHWEST REGION

ever, these programs were beyond the scope of this initial 

report. The remaining fisheries were not evaluated due to a 

lack of data or an absence of bycatch issues (examples are 

the California abalone and sea urchin fisheries, where target species are collected by hand). Each fishery was given 

a tier score based on data-collection and estimation methods, through the scoring procedure outlined in Section 3 for 

fish, marine mammals and other protected species (Table 

4.5.3). Two Federal fisheries (North Pacific albacore baitboat pole and line and South Pacific albacore troll) were 

Fishery

Management 

Authority

Fish 

Tier

Marine 

Mammals 

Tier

Other 

Protected 

Species Tier

California Coastal Purse Seine forTuna Federal 2 3 3

California Pelagic Longline Federal 2 3 3

CA/OR Drift Gillnet (mesh size >14 inches) for Swordfish and Thresher Shark Federal 2 3 3

North Pacific Albacore Baitboat: Pole and Line Federal 0 0 0

North Pacific Albacore Troll Federal 1 1 1

South Pacific Albacore Troll Federal 0 0 0

California Coastal Purse Seine for Anchovy, Mackerel, and Sardine Federal, State 1 2 2

California Swordfish Harpoon Federal, State 1 0 0

Central Western Pacific Tuna Purse Seine International

Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) Tuna Purse Seine International

Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Baitboat International

California Abalone State

California Coastal Purse Seine for Squid State 1 2 3

California Hagfish Pot or Trap State

California Herring Gillnet State

California Live Fish Hook-and-Line State

California Salmon Enhancement Rearing Pen State

California Sea Urchin State

California Set Gillnet (mesh size up to 14 inches) State 1 3 3

California Set Gillnet (stretched mesh size of 3.5 inches or less) State

California Small-Mesh Drift Gillnet (mesh size >3.5 inches and < 14 inches) State 2 3 3

California Squid Dip Net State 

California Trap/Pot State 

California White Seabass Enhancement Net Pens State 

CA/OR/WA Bait Pens State 

classified as Tier 0 in all categories (Figure 4.5.2). Of the 

nine remaining fisheries evaluated, 46% (five) were classified as Tier 1 for the fish category, and 36% (four) were 

classified as Tier 2. No fisheries were classified as Tier 3 

or 4 for fish. In the marine mammal category, 46% (five) of 

the evaluated fisheries were designated as Tier 3; in the 

other protected species category, 55% (six) were scored as 

Tier 3. One additional fishery (California swordfish harpoon) 

was classified as Tier 0 for both marine mammals and other 

protected species. 

Table 4.5.3 

The 2005 fishery tier classifications for the Southwest Region (listed alphabetically, first by management authority and then by fishery). Shaded fisheries were 

evaluated for this report. Only Federal data-collection programs were evaluated. 

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Figure 4.5.2

Southwest Region fishery classifications by number and 

percentage, for fisheries with Federal management or 

relevant Federal data-collection programs, for A) fish, B) 

marine mammals, and C) other protected species. Tier 

scores are for the year 2005.

Several of the fisheries in the Southwest utilize gear that is 

known to incidentally capture marine mammals and other 

protected species, and the region’s data-collection programs have been tailored in many cases to address this 

issue. Methods to estimate fish bycatch using logbook and 

observer data are in development. The implementation of 

these methods is expected to increase Southwest Region 

tier scores in the fish bycatch category. 

Fourteen Southwest Region fisheries were not evaluated 

for this report. The Central Western Pacific tuna purse 

seine, EPO tuna purse seine, and ETP baitboat fishery 

were not evaluated because they occur only in international 

waters, with limited U.S. vessel participation. International 

data sources are available for these fisheries; however, this 

report focuses on Federal data-collection programs. Of the 

remaining fisheries that were not evaluated for this report, 

three are aquaculture fisheries and the remaining eight fisheries are managed at the state level and have no relevant 

Federal data-collection programs. 

4.5.6 Southwest Region Key Stocks

One hundred and twenty-one key stocks were identified 

within the Southwest Region (Table 4.5.4). The majority 

of these stocks (78%) are fish stocks, including 63 FSSI 

stocks, 27 ESA-listed stocks, and 4 non-FSSI/non-ESA 

stocks (Figure 4.5.3). No methods were available to estimate bycatch of fish stocks in Southwest Region fisheries, 

and therefore the quantitative method outlined in Section 

3 was not used to identify key regional fish stocks. All fish 

stocks for which the region has concerns regarding status 

and bycatch were added through the qualitative process. 

Listing these fish stocks as key stocks will allow the region 

to focus on identifying bycatch data deficiencies and information gaps that may stimulate research efforts and development of bycatch estimation methods for inclusion in the 

second edition of this report. 

The remaining 22% of Southwest Region key stocks are 

protected species populations, including marine mammals, 

sea turtles, and seabirds (Figure 4.5.3). As in all regions, 

ESA-listed species were prioritized for inclusion. Nine ESAlisted marine mammal populations (seven cetacean stocks, 

one pinniped stock, and one mustelid stock, the California 

sea otter, Enhydra lutris nereis) are included as key stocks. 

Five marine mammal populations were also identified as 

key stocks through the quantitative process outlined in 

Section 3; three of these species are cetacean and two are 

pinnipeds (Table 4.5.4). No marine mammal populations 

were added through the qualitative process. 

All sea turtle species that occur within the Southwest Region 

were listed as key stocks (Table 4.5.4). The four sea turtle 

species comprise five separate populations, two of which 

are endangered: the leatherback sea turtle and Mexico’s 

A. Southwest — Fish

n = 11

Tier 0

18% (2)

Tier 1

46% (5)

Tier 2

36% (4)

C. Southwest — Other Protected Species

n = 11

Tier 1

9% (1)

Tier 0

27% (3)

Tier 3

55% (6)

Tier 2

9% (1)

B. Southwest — Marine Mammals

n = 11

Tier 2

18% (2)

Tier 1

9% (1)

Tier 0

27% (3) Tier 3

46% (5)

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Albacore, North Pacific Thunnus alalunga Unknown Unknown

Albacore, South Pacific Thunnus alalunga No No

Arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias No No

Bank rockfish Sebastes rufus No No

Bigeye tuna, Pacific Thunnus obesus Yes No

Black rockfish, Pacific Coast, north Sebastes melanops No No

Blackgill rockfish Sebastes melanostomus No No

Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus Unknown Unknown

Blue shark, North Pacific Prionace glauca No No

Bluefin tuna, Pacific Thunnus orientalis Unknown Unknown

Bocaccio Sebastes paucispinis No Yes

Brown rockfish Sebastes auriculatus Unknown Unknown

Cabezon Scorpaenichthys marmoratus No No

California scorpionfish Scorpaena guttata Unknown No

Canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger No No—rebuilding

Chilipepper rockfish Sebastes goodei No No

Cowcod Sebastes levis No Yes

Darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri No Yes

Dolphinfish, Pacific Coryphaena hippurus Unknown Unknown

Dover sole Microstomus pacificus No No

English sole Parophrys vetulus No No

Gopher rockfish Sebastes carnatus Unknown No

Indo-Pacific blue marlin, Pacific Makaira mazara No No

Jack mackerel Trachurus symmetricus No Undefined

Kawakawa, tropical Pacific Euthynnus affinis Unknown Unknown

Kelp greenling Hexagrammos decagrammus Unknown No

Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus No No

Longnose skate Raja rhina Unknown No

Longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis No No

Market squid Loligo opalescens Unknown Unknown

Northern anchovy, central subpopulation Engraulis mordax No Undefined

Northern anchovy, northern subpopulation Engraulis mordax Undefined Undefined

Opah, Pacific Lampris guttatus Unknown Unknown

Table 4.5.4

Key fish and marine mammal stocks and key sea turtle and 

seabird populations for the Southwest Region. Overfishing/

overfished status based on 2008 Quarter 1 FSSI report.

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI (cont.)

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Pacific chub mackerel Scomber japonicus No No

Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus Unknown Unknown

Pacific hake Merluccius productus No No

Pacific grenadier Coryphaenoides acrolepis Unknown Unknown

Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus No No—rebuilding

Pacific sanddab Citharichthys sordidus Unknown Unknown

Pacific sardine Sardinops sagax No No

Petrale sole Eopsetta jordani No No

Rex sole Glyptocephalus zachirus Unknown Unknown

Rougheye rockfish Sebastes aleutianus Unknown Unknown

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria No No

Sand sole Psettichthys melanostictus Unknown Unknown

Shortbelly rockfish Sebastes jordani No No

Shortbill spearfish, Pacific Tetrapturus angustirostris Unknown Unknown

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus No No

Skipjack tuna, central western Pacific Katsuwonus pelamis No No

Skipjack tuna, eastern Pacific Katsuwonus pelamis No No

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias Unknown Unknown

Splitnose rockfish Sebastes diploproa No Unknown

Starry flounder Platichthys stellatus Unknown No

Striped marlin, central western Pacific Tetrapturus audax Unknown Unknown

Striped marlin, eastern Pacific Tetrapturus audax No No

Swordfish, North Pacific Xiphias gladius No No

Vermilion rockfish Sebastes miniatus Unknown Unknown

Wahoo, Pacific Acanthocybium solandri Unknown Unknown

Widow rockfish Sebastes entomelas No No—rebuilding

Yelloweye rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus No Yes

Yellowfin tuna, central Western Pacific Thunnus albacares Yes No

Yellowfin tuna, eastern Pacific Thunnus albacares Yes No

Yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus No No

Table 4.5.4 (continued)

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Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Chinook salmon, California coastal Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Lower Columbia River Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Puget Sound Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Sacramento River winter run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Endangered

Chinook salmon, Snake River fall run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, Snake River spring/summer run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chinook salmon, upper Columbia River spring run Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Endangered

Chinook salmon, upper Willamette River Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened

Chum salmon, Columbia River Oncorhynchus keta Threatened

Chum salmon, Hood Canal summer run Oncorhynchus keta Threatened

Coho salmon, central California coast Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened

Coho salmon, lower Columbia River Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened

Coho salmon, southern Oregon & sorthern California 

coasts Oncorhynchus kisutch Threatened

Sockeye salmon, Ozette Lake Oncorhynchus nerka Threatened

Sockeye salmon, Snake River Oncorhynchus nerka Endangered

Steelhead, California Central Valley Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, central California coast Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, lower Columbia River Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, middle Columbia River Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, northern California Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, Snake River Basin Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, south-central California coast Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Steelhead, southern California Oncorhynchus mykiss Endangered

Steelhead, upper Columbia River Oncorhynchus mykiss Endangered

Steelhead, upper Willamette River Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

Totoaba Totoaba macdonaldi Endangered

Table 4.5.4 (continued)

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Other Key Fish Stocks

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus Prohibited species in HMS fisheries

Giant sea bass Stereolepis gigas Protected by State of CA 

White shark Carcharodon carcharias Prohibited species in HMS fisheries

Megamouth shark Megachasma pelagios Prohibited species in HMS fisheries

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA 

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Endangered

Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus Endangered

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Threatened

Guadalupe fur seal Arctocephalus townsendi Endangered

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered

Killer whale, Southern Resident Orcinus orca Endangered

Sea otter, California Enhydra lutris nereis Endangered

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Endangered

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Endangered

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

ZMRG Stock status a Common name Scientific name

California sea lion Zalophus californianus 39.5 Increasing

Common dolphin, long-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus capensis 1.1 Unknown

Harbor seal, California Phoca vitulina 189.6 Stable

Northern right whale dolphin, CA, OR, WA Lissodelphis borealis 11.3 Unknown

Short-finned pilot whale, CA, OR, WA Globicephala macrorhynchus 0.098 Unknown

Key Sea Turtle Populations

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population status

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas

Threatened

(except Florida’s and Mexico’s 

Pacific Coast breeding colonies, 

which are Endangered)

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Threatened

Olive ridley sea turtle, Mexico’s Pacific Coast 

breeding colonies Lepidochelys olivacea Endangered

Table 4.5.4 (continued)

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Key Seabird Populations Listed by ESA

Species/stock name 

Common name Scientific name Population status

Brown pelican, except US (Florida) Atlantic Coast Pelecanus occidentalis Endangered

California least tern Sterna antillarum browni Endangered

Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia 

sandwichensis Endangered

Least tern, interior population Sterna antillarum Endangered

Marbled murrelet, CA, OR, WA Brachyramphus marmoratus 

marmoratus Threatened

Newell’s Townsend’s shearwater Puffinus auricularis newelli Threatened

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus Endangered

Key Seabird Populations Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name Bycatch 

concern

Population 

Common name Scientific name status

Ashy storm-petrel Oceanodroma homochroa Yes

Under review 

for potential 

ESA listing as 

threatened or 

endangered

aStock status based on NMFS Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (Caretta, Forney, Lowry, et al. 2007).

Table 4.5.4 (continued)

Non-ESA, 

non-FSSI

fish stocks

3% (4)

FSSI fish stocks

52% (63)

ESA fish stocks

22% (27)

Marine 

mammals

12% (14)

Seabirds

7% (8)

Sea turtles

4% (5)

Breakdown of 

Fish Stocks

Figure 4.5.3 

Numbers and percentages of key stocks for 

the Southwest Region, by resource type. 

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Pacific breeding populations of olive ridley (Lepidochelys 

olivacea). Other Southwest Region key populations of olive 

ridley and green turtles are listed as threatened, as is the 

loggerhead sea turtle. 

Seven ESA-listed seabird populations are listed as key 

stocks for the Southwest Region. Note that the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) was delisted in 2009 due to 

its recovery; however, it is listed in this report as an ESA 

species for consistency with the timeframe of the data and 

management regulations discussed herein. An eighth seabird species, the ashy storm-petrel (Oceanodroma homochroa), is currently being considered for listing under the 

ESA and was included as a key seabird stock through the 

qualitative evaluation process. This species is also on the 

USFWS list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

4.5.7 Southwest Region Bycatch Estimates

Bycatch estimates are currently available for eight marine 

mammal stocks in the Southwest Region (Appendix 4.5, 

Table 4.5.A). Marine mammal estimates were provided for 

three fisheries: the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery 

(mesh size >14 inches) for swordfish and thresher shark is 

an MMPA Category I fishery, whereas the California coastal 

purse seine fishery for squid and the California small-mesh 

drift gillnet fishery (mesh size >3.5 inches and < 14 inches) 

are MMPA Category II fisheries. Stranding evidence also 

indicates that marine mammal bycatch occurs in currently 

unobserved or unidentified fisheries in this region. These 

stranding events represent minimum bycatch numbers, 

which are reported in the annual Pacific Regional Stock Assessment Reports (Carretta, Forney, Muto, et al. 2007). 

Bycatch estimates are provided for one sea turtle stock in 

the Southwest Region (Table 4.5.B). There was one sea 

turtle bycatch event in 2005 (an olive ridley turtle), but the 

fishery is not identified in this report due to data confidentiality restrictions under the MSA. The bycatch of this single 

turtle occurred outside the U.S. EEZ, but is included here 

because this species does occur in U.S. waters.

4.5.8 Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans 

for Southwest Region Fisheries 

Bycatch estimation improvement plans were developed for 

the three Southwest Region fisheries where bycatch is currently estimated: 

•	 California coastal purse seine fishery for squid 

•	 California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery (mesh size >14 

inches) for swordfish and thresher shark

•	 California small-mesh drift gillnet fishery (mesh size >3.5 

inches and < 14 inches)

Bycatch estimation improvement plans for five additional 

Southwest Region Federal fisheries were also developed. 

These fisheries were selected due to known bycatch of protected species, potential undocumented bycatch concerns, 

data confidentiality restrictions on reporting bycatch, and/

or less than adequate levels of observer coverage to document the bycatch of rare or sensitive species (Barlow 1989; 

Babcock and Pikitch 2003; Carretta 2003):

•	 California coastal purse seine fishery for anchovy, mackerel, and sardine

•	 California coastal purse seine fishery for tuna

•	 California pelagic longline fishery

•	 California set gillnet fishery (mesh size up to 14 inches)

•	 California swordfish harpoon fishery

In addition to fishery-specific recommendations to address 

bycatch and data-collection issues, the Southwest Regional team also recommends implementation of the June 2007 

SAFE report (PFMC 2007) recommendations to improve 

data collection for all regional coastal purse seine fisheries. 

These recommendations included: standardization of data 

fields, development of fishery-specific observer program 

manuals, construction of a relational database for observer 

data, and creation of a statistically reliable sampling plan. 

The first three recommendations have been implemented, 

with continued progress on sampling plan designs.

4.5.8.1 Plans for Improving Bycatch Estimation for 

Southwest Fisheries of Focus

4.5.8.1.1 Fisheries identified through the 

quantitative process

California Coastal Purse Seine Fishery for Squid

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 3

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Bycatch and/or discard of market squid, anchovy, sardine, California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), harbor 

seal (Phoca vitulina), and ashy storm-petrel (Oceanodroma homochroa) have been documented by the observer 

program. 

•	 Bycatch of other species may occur, but has not been 

documented. 

•	 Quantitative estimates of fish bycatch are lacking, and 

observer coverage is too low to reliably detect rare species of management concern that may interact with this 

fishery. 

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Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended to increase observer coverage to 

adequate levels (at least 10%) to address concerns or 

confirm that no bycatch concern exists. 

•	 Developing finfish bycatch estimation methods and using 

these methods to generate initial estimates of bycatch 

was recommend. 

California/Oregon Drift Gillnet Fishery (mesh size >14 

inches) for Swordfish and Thresher Shark

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Protected Species = 3

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Bycatch of three marine mammal stocks—the longbeaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), shortfinned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and 

Northern right whale dolphin (Lissodelphis borealis)—exceeds PBR3 levels and/or ZMRG. Bycatch of loggerhead 

sea turtles occurred in 2006,4 and bycatch of prohibited 

species such as white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), 

megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios), and basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) has also occurred in the 

past.

•	 Some vessel-selection biases exist in this fishery. 

•	 Six of the forty-two active vessels lack berthing space for 

an observer. These vessels are still required to abide by 

MMPA take-reduction regulations (e.g., use of pingers on 

nets, 36-foot extenders). 

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that observer coverage should be 

increased to 30% (currently at 20%) to better document 

bycatch of rare and sensitive species. 

•	 It was recommended that coverage biases due to unobservable vessels should be reduced through the implementation of a pilot EM system. 

California Small-Mesh Drift Gillnet Fishery (mesh size 

>3.5 inches and < 14 inches)

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Protected Species = 3

3 The PBR level is defined in the MMPA as the maximum number of animals (not including natural mortalities) that may be removed from a marine 

mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum 

sustainable population.

4 This estimate is not included as data in this report, but included here for 

information purposes; this estimate will be included in the next edition of 

the U.S. National Bycatch Report.

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Bycatch mortality of long-beaked common dolphin exceeds ZMRG. 

•	 Observer coverage is low and opportunistic (not annual).

Recommendations: 

•	 An increase in observer coverage to above 20% to better 

document bycatch of rare and sensitive species is recommended. 

•	 It is also recommended to implement year-round observer coverage for this fishery.

4.5.8.1.2 Fisheries identified through the 

qualitative process 

California Coastal Purse Seine Fishery for Anchovy, 

Mackerel, and Sardine

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 2; Other Protected Species = 3

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Observer coverage of this fishery is too low (2% in 2006) 

to reliably detect rare species of management concern 

that may interact with this fishery. 

•	 Quantitative estimates of fish bycatch are lacking; fish 

bycatch estimation methods have not been developed or 

peer-reviewed for this fishery. 

Recommendations: 

•	 An increase of observer program coverage levels to 10% 

in order to confirm that no bycatch concern exists was 

recommended. 

•	 It was also recommended to develop bycatch estimation 

methods and generate initial estimates of bycatch. 

California Coastal Purse Seine Fishery for Tuna

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Protected Species = 3

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Quantitative or qualitative estimates of fish bycatch are 

lacking for this fishery. 

•	 Observer coverage is too low (not observed in 2006, 20% 

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coverage in 2005) to reliably detect rare species of management concern that may interact with this fishery. 

•	 Bycatch of other species may occur but has not been 

documented. 

Recommendations: 

•	 The development of bycatch estimation methods and 

generation of initial bycatch estimates were recommended for this fishery. 

•	 The HMS management team of the Southwest Region 

recommended that this fishery be observed at 100%, 

which is currently feasible, given the small number of 

vessels (less than 10) landing tuna species. 

California Pelagic Longline Fishery

Tier Classes: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Protected Species = 3

Bycatch and data-collection concerns: 

•	 Due to data confidentiality issues, bycatch cannot be reported for the fishery.

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended that bycatch from this fishery should 

be aggregated with the bycatch of longline fisheries operating out of Hawaii to avoid data confidentiality issues. 

California Set Gillnet Fishery (mesh size up to 14 

inches)

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Protected Species = 3

Bycatch and Data-collection concerns: 

•	 The California set gillnet fishery (mesh size up to 14 

inches) has historic bycatch of protected marine mammal and sea turtle species; bycatch of California sea lions 

and harbor seals has exceeded ZMRG in the past. There 

has also been highly publicized bycatch of white sharks 

in this fishery. A pilot observer program was renewed in 

2006 for this fishery, with less than 1% observer coverage in 2006. The observer program continued in 2007, 

with approximately 18% observer coverage. 

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended to increase observer coverage to at 

least 20% to better document bycatch of key species with 

low abundance. 

California Swordfish Harpoon Fishery

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0

Bycatch and Data-collection concerns: 

•	 Bycatch of swordfish or other species struck and lost is 

unknown.

•	 Bycatch information (struck and lost fish) comes solely 

from logbook data.

Recommendations: 

•	 It was recommended to implement an observer program 

for the swordfish harpoon fishery at 10% observer coverage.

4.5.8.2 Southwest Region Recommendations 

A total of nine recommendations are made here to improve 

bycatch data collection and estimation for Federal fisheries and fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection programs in the Southwest Region, with total resource requirements for implementation totaling one full-time staff member and 450 observer DAS (Table 4.5.5). Observer program 

costs were $0.619M in 2008, with two fisheries observed 

(the California/Oregon pelagic drift gillnet and California 

pelagic longline fisheries). For this report, improvement 

recommendations for Southwest fisheries were based on 

the most complete year of observer program funding and 

coverage levels ($1.474M in 2006, with six fisheries observed). In 2006, the deep-set pelagic longline fishery had 

100% observer coverage, the large-mesh drift gillnet fishery for swordfish and thresher shark had 18.5% observer 

coverage, the halibut set gillnet fishery had less than 1% 

observer coverage, and three purse seine fisheries targeting tunas, market squid, and sardine/anchovy each had 

less than 5% observer coverage. 

If funded and implemented successfully, improvement plan 

elements would result in improved tier scores for the eight 

fisheries listed at the beginning of Section 4.5.8. Most tier 

score improvements would be the direct result of increased 

or newly initiated observer coverage. The development of 

fish bycatch estimates for the next edition of this report will 

also significantly improve regional tier scores.

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Recommendationa Additional DASb Feasibility

General Recommendations

Hire finfish bycatch analyst to generate annual bycatch 

estimates for multiple fisheries. NA High

Fishery-Specific Recommendations

Increase observer coverage of the California coastal purse 

seine for anchovy, mackerel, and sardine fishery to 10%. 50 High

Increase observer coverage of the California coastal purse 

seine fishery for tuna to 100%. 20 High

Increase observer coverage of the California coastal purse 

seine fishery for squid to at least 10% of all sets. 110 High

Increase observer coverage of the California/Oregon drift 

gillnet (mesh size >14 inches) fishery targeting swordfish and 

thresher shark to 30%.

130 High

Aggregate bycatch of the California pelagic longline fishery 

with that of longline fisheries operating out of Hawaii, to avoid 

data confidentiality issues. 

No cost High

Increase observer coverage of the California set gillnet (mesh 

size up to 14 inches) to 20%. 100 High

Increase observer coverage of the California small mesh drift 

gillnet (mesh size >3.5 inches and <14 inches) to 20%. 20 High

Implement a pilot observer program for the California swordfish 

harpoon fishery at 10% observer coverage. 20 High

Number of new full-time staff needed to implement all data 

quality and estimation method improvements recommended by 

the Southwest region:

1

Total DAS requirement for all recommendations c: 450

a Some recommendations may require additional resource expenditures, such as equipment, which are not itemized. b One observer DAS includes the cost for the observer deployment as well as costs for associated equipment and program administrative 

functions (staffing). c This amount is in addition to current Southwest Region observer program requirements.

Table 4.5.5 

Summary of Southwest Region recommendations and estimated requirements of implementation in terms of full-time staff 

and observer DAS. All requirements are annual unless otherwise indicated; ** denotes no additional resource requirements. 

For further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8.

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Appendix 4.5 Southwest Region Bycatch Estimates

Subtable 4.5.A.1

CALIFORNIA/OREGON DRIFT GILLNET 

(MESH SIZE >14 INCHES) FOR SWORDFISH

AND THRESHER SHARK

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

California sea lion, U.S. Zalophus californianus 2000–04 38 Individuals 0.38

Common dolphin, long-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus capensis 2000–04 4.4 Individuals 1.69

Common dolphin, short-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus delphis 2000–04 58 Individuals 0.15

Northern elephant seal, California breeding Mirounga angustirostris 2000–04 8 Individuals 0.4

Northern right whale dolphin, CA, OR, WA Lissodelphis borealis 2000–04 18 Individuals 0.31

Pacific white sided dolphin, CA, OR, WA, 

north and south

Lagenorhynchus 

obliquidens 2000–04 4.8 Individuals 0.72

Pilot whale, short-finned, CA, OR, WA Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 2000–04 1 Individuals 1

Risso’s dolphin, CA, OR, WA Grampus griseus 2000–04 5.8 Individuals 1.02

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 138 Individuals 5.67

Subtable 4.5.A.2 CALIFORNIA PURSE SEINE FISHERY — SQUID

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

Common dolphin, short-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus delphis 2005 87 Individuals 0.98

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 87 Individuals 0.98

Subtable 4.5.A.3

CALIFORNIA SMALL MESH DRIFT GILLNET

MESH SIZE >3.5 INCHES AND <14 INCHES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

NUMBER UNIT CV

California sea lion, U.S. Zalophus californianus 2003–04 13.5 Individuals 0.57

Common dolphin, long-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus capensis 2002–04 4.7 Individuals 0.98

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 22.5 Individuals 1.24

Table 4.5.A 

Subtables showing marine mammal bycatch estimates and associated 

coefficients of variation (CVs) for Southwest Region fisheries. All bycatch 

estimates are in number of individuals and include incidental mortality 

and serious injury. Bycatch estimates reflect an annual average from the 

years identified. Key stocks and populations are shaded. 

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Subtable 4.5.A.4 (SUMMARY) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NUMBER UNIT

California sea lion, U.S. Zalophus californianus 51.5 Individuals

Common dolphin, long-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus capensis 9.1 Individuals

Common dolphin, short-beaked, CA, OR, WA Delphinus delphis 145 Individuals

Northern elephant seal, California breeding Mirounga angustirostris 8 Individuals

Northern right whale dolphin, CA, OR, WA Lissodelphis borealis 18 Individuals

Pacific white sided dolphin, CA, OR, WA, 

north and south

Lagenorhynchus 

obliquidens 4.8 Individuals

Pilot whale, short-finned, CA, OR, WA Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 1 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin, CA, OR, WA Grampus griseus 5.8 Individuals

Total fishery bycatch 243.3 Individuals

Subtable 4.5.B.1 ALL WEST COAST FISHERIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea 2005 1 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1 Individuals

Subtable 4.5.B.2 (SUMMARY) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NUMBER UNIT

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea 1 Individuals

Table 4.5.A (continued)

Table 4.5.B 

Subtable showing sea turtle bycatch (observed mortality) for 

Southwest Region fisheries. Bycatch is reported in number of 

individuals. Key stocks are shaded. 

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4.6  Pacific Islands Region

The NMFS Pacific Islands Region consists of the EEZs of 

American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana 

Islands, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas, forming the 

largest regional EEZ in the U.S. (two million square miles). 

One LME has been designated in the region, the InsularPacific Hawaiian LME.1 The WPFMC, in conjunction with 

NMFS, is responsible for managing Federal fisheries in the 

Pacific Islands Region. Much of the Pacific Island culture 

reflects the island inhabitants’ dependency on the sea. The 

relationship between land and sea remains close today, 

with fish consumption much higher than the national average, broad participation in artisanal fisheries, and several 

large fleets targeting HMS in the open ocean. 

4.6.1  Fisheries Overview

A total of 31 domestic commercial fisheries are included in 

this report for the Pacific Islands Region (Table 4.6.1). Hawaii landings from these fisheries were valued at approximately $71 million dollars in 2005.2 Fisheries in this region 

are diverse, falling into three general categories: fisheries 

for deep-water bottomfish (snapper, grouper, and jack species); fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish (Xiphias gladius); and fisheries for crustaceans, coral reef fishes, and 

corals. Island-based fisheries operate in American Samoa, 

the Marianas, and Hawaiian archipelagos, and catches are 

landed almost exclusively within each local area. Not evaluated in this edition of the U.S. National Bycatch Report are 

the very large-scale purse seine fisheries for skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), 

or the distant-water troll fishery for albacore (Thunnus alalunga). These fisheries are discussed in the Southwest Regional section but are not evaluated, as they operate almost 

entirely outside the U.S. EEZ and are managed under international agreements.

Fifty-five percent of Pacific Islands Region fisheries are federally managed (Figure 4.6.1). A few fisheries have shared 

Federal–state management (e.g., Hawaii bottomfish) or a 

state counterpart, such as the Hawaii Federal and state 

fisheries for precious corals. 

The staff of NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), and the 

WPFMC work closely with state partner agencies the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, 

the CNMI Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Hawaii Department of Aquatic Resources, and the Guam Division of 

Aquatic and Wildlife Resources to regulate and monitor the 

1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/.

2 Ex-vessel landings value, Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2006. Available online at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/fisheries_economics_2006.

html.

marine species of the Pacific Islands. In 2005, the WPFMC 

had five FMPs in place to manage Federal fisheries.3

The Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region FMP, developed in 1986, covers a 

diverse group of species and fisheries that occur throughout the western Pacific region. Commercial bottomfish 

stocks are divided into two groups: seamount groundfish 

and deep-slope bottomfish. The seamount fishery includes 

alfonsin (Beryx splendens) and armorhead (Pseudopentaceros spp.). This fishery was never fished domestically and 

the only area in the U.S. EEZ where this fishery occurred (a 

portion of Hancock Seamount) has been closed to fishing 

since 1986 due to heavy overfishing of armorhead stocks 

by foreign trawl fleets. Deep-slope bottomfish fisheries targeting snappers, groupers, and emperors occur throughout 

the western Pacific, although the largest occur in the Hawaiian Archipelago. The fishery in the main Hawaiian Islands is managed through an annual total allowable catch 

limit to prevent overfishing. The limited-access fishery in the 

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), although exploiting a satisfactory level of biomass, was closed in 2010. The 

bottomfish fisheries in the other parts of the region exploit 

a broader depth range (including shallower areas) and a 

more diverse assemblage of fishes, including deepwater 

reef species, than in Hawaii.

Under the Crustacean Fisheries of the Western Pacific 

Region FMP (1981), red spiny (Panulirus marginatus) and 

slipper (Scyllarides squammosus) lobsters in the NWHI 

were harvested until 2000, when the fishery was closed 

due to protracted uncertainty over the status of the stocks. 

While smaller-scale lobster fisheries take place throughout 

the U.S. Pacific, the NWHI lobster fishery was of particular 

importance, as it was the region’s most valuable demersal fishery. Although a comprehensive research program 

was initiated to better understand NWHI stock dynamics, 

all fishing in that area ended in 2001, and lobster fishing 

has not resumed in the interim. The fishery continues in the 

eight main Hawaiian Islands under state regulations. Other 

crustacean fisheries in the region are very small.

The Precious Coral Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP, implemented in 1983, treats each coral bed as a 

separate management unit. The life history of corals makes 

them particularly susceptible to over-harvesting, and the 

high demand for coral jewelry and other coral products encouraged high levels of harvest prior to effective regulation. 

Collected species once included black, gold, and pink coral, 

but currently there are no active permits anywhere in the region to harvest species other than black coral. Black coral, 

which can be reached at depths accessible by scuba gear, 

is harvested by hand. A state fishery for black coral also exists in the Hawaiian Islands. The most serious conservation 

3 These FMPs were replaced by five fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs) (75 FR 

2198, 14 January 2010).

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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Fisherya

Management

Authority

Federal Fishery

Management Plan (FMP) b Gear Type

Target Species

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

American Samoa 

Bottomfish Federal

Bottomfish and Seamount 

Groundfish Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Hand Line

Deep snappers (pink, 

red, gray/jobfish), other 

snappers/jobfishes, 

emperors, and groupers 

Creel survey data

American Samoa 

Lobster Federal Crustacean Fisheries of 

the Western Pacific Region

By Hand, 

Diving Gear

Green spiny lobster, 

slipper lobster

American Samoa 

Pelagic Longline 

Fishery

Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Longline

Albacore and other 

tunas (bigeye, 

yellowfin), wahoo

Logbooks, observer 

data 

American Samoa Troll Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Troll Lines

Tunas (skipjack and 

yellowfin), blue marlin, 

dolphinfish, wahoo

Creel survey data

Commonwealth of 

the Northern Mariana 

Islands Bottomfish

Federal

Bottomfish and Seamount 

Groundfish Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Hook and Line, 

Electric

Shallow-water 

emperors, snappers, 

groupers, and, 

deepwater snappers 

(red, pink, gray/jobfish) 

Creel survey data

Commonwealth of 

the Northern Mariana 

Islands Lobster

Federal Crustacean Fisheries of 

the Western Pacific Region

Pots and Traps, 

Spiny Lobster

Spiny lobsters (green, 

long-legged, painted)

Commonwealth of 

the Northern Mariana 

Islands Tuna Troll

Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Troll Lines

Tunas (skipjack, 

yellowfin, kawakawa), 

wahoo dolphinfish, 

Indo-Pacific blue marlin 

Creel survey data

Guam Bottomfish 

Handline Federal

Bottomfish and Seamount 

Groundfish Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Hook and Line, 

Electric

Deepwater snappers 

and Hawaiian groupers Creel survey data

Guam Longline Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Longlines Bigeye tuna, yellowfin 

tuna

Creel survey data, 

logbooks

Guam Troll Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Troll Lines

Tunas (skipjack, 

yellowfin), dolphinfish, 

wahoo, Indo-Pacific 

blue marlin

Creel survey data

Hawaii Shrimp Trap Federal Crustacean Fisheries of 

the Western Pacific Region

Pots and Traps, 

Shrimp

Deepwater Caridean 

shrimp

State commercial 

catch report data, 

state dealer data

Hawaii-Based DeepSet Pelagic Longline 

Fishery for Tuna

Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Longline Bigeye tuna, yellowfin 

tuna, albacore

Logbook data, 

observer data, state 

dealer data

Hawaii-Based ShallowSet Pelagic Longline 

Fishery for Swordfish

Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region Longline Swordfish, bigeye tuna 

Logbook data, 

observer data with 

100% coverage, 

state dealer data

Hawaii Non-Longline 

Commercial Pelagic 

Fishery

Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Combined 

Gears

Tunas (yellowfin, 

skipjack, bigeye, 

albacore), blue marlin, 

dolphinfish, wahoo

State commercial 

catch report data, 

state dealer data

Table 4.6.1

Pacific Islands Region fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report. Fisheries are listed alphabetically, first by management authority 

and then by fishery name. Shaded rows indicate those fisheries for which 

bycatch estimates are currently available. 

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Fisherya

Management

Authority

Federal Fishery

Management Plan (FMP) b Gear Type

Target Species

(Common Name) Data Sourcesc

Northwestern Hawaiian 

Islands Bottomfish Federal

Bottomfish and Seamount 

Groundfish Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Combined 

Gears

Deepwater snappers 

(gray/jobfish, red, pink), 

Hawaiian grouper, and 

thick-lipped trevally 

Logbook data, 

observer data, state 

commercial catch 

report data, state 

dealer data

Precious Coral 

(Federal Waters) Federal Precious Coral Fisheries of 

the Western Pacific Region

By Hand, 

Diving Gear Black coral

Western Pacific 

Squid Jig Federal Pelagic Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Hand Lines, 

Auto Jig Neon flying squid

State commercial 

catch report data, 

State dealer data 

Hawaii Bottomfish Federal, State

Bottomfish and Seamount 

Groundfish Fisheries of the 

Western Pacific Region

Combined 

Gears

Deepwater snappers 

(pink, red, gray/jobfish, 

and Hawaiian grouper) 

State commercial 

catch report data, 

State dealer data

Hawaii Crab Trap State Pots and Traps Kona crab, Samoan 

crab

Hawaii Fish Pond State Unspecified 

Gear

Mullet, milkfish, Pacific 

threadfin, bonefish, 

coral reef fishes

Hawaii Fish Trap State Pots and Traps, 

Fish

Coral reef fishes 

(surgeonfishes, jacks, 

squirrelfishes, parrotfishes, goatfishes, etc.)

Hawaii Inshore 

Handline State Hand Line Mackerel scad, bigeye 

scad, coral reef fishes

Hawaii Lay Net State Gillnets, Other

Coral reef fishes 

(surgeonfishes, jacks, 

squirrelfishes, parrotfishes, goatfishes, etc.)

Hawaii Lobster Diving State By Hand, 

Diving Gear

Spiny lobsters (green 

and red), slipper 

lobsters

Hawaii Lobster Trap State Pots and Traps, 

Lobster

Spiny lobsters (green 

and red), slipper 

lobsters

Hawaii Octopus, Spear State Spears Octopus, coral reef 

fishes

Hawaii Opelu/Akule Net State Nets, Other Mackerel scad, bigeye 

scad

Hawaii Pelagic Handline State Handline Tunas (yellowfin, 

bigeye)

Hawaii Throw Net, 

Cast Net State Cast Nets

Convict tang, Āholehole 

(flagtail), Hawaiian 

threadfin, other coral 

reef fishes

Hawaii Trolling, 

Rod and Reel State Troll Lines

Tunas (yellowfin, 

skipjack), Indo-Pacific 

blue marlin, dolphinfish, 

wahoo

Precious Coral 

(State Waters) State By Hand, 

Diving Gear Black coral, pink coral

a Aquaculture fisheries are listed for consistency with the MMPA List of Fisheries when they occur, but were not analyzed for the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Recreational fisheries are not included in this report. 

b FMPs as of 2005. Note that non-Federal FMPs were not identified through this process. c Data sources were evaluated only for Federal fisheries and for non-Federal fisheries with Federal data-collection programs.

Table 4.6.1 (continued)

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concern over black coral is the spread of an exotic coral 

species (the octocoral Carijoa riisei) that overgrows black 

coral. 

The first ecosystem-based FMP in the U.S., the WPFMC 

Coral Reef Ecosystem of the Western Pacific Region FMP 

(2001), was implemented to conserve and protect coral 

reefs and their associated biota and fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region through a system of MPAs and fishery 

regulations. This FMP is distinct from the FMP for precious 

corals. Precious corals are mostly found below the photic 

zone where reef-building corals live. The Coral Reef Ecosystem of the Western Pacific Region FMP addresses an 

enormous diversity of fishes and other biota not covered in 

any other FMP. Fishery regulations for coral reef ecosystem resources, including the creation of several MPAs in 

the Pacific Remote Island Areas were implemented in 2004 

(69 FR 8336, 24 February 2004). In addition, this FMP encourages coordination with local governments to conserve 

coral reef ecosystems through such actions as prohibitions 

on taking of live corals.

Implemented in 1987, the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western 

Pacific Region FMP regulates fisheries for HMS species in 

the Pacific Islands Region. While the FMP was initially developed to regulate foreign fisheries within the U.S. EEZ, 

the requirement for foreign operators to obtain licenses 

and carry observers was a deterrent. No foreign fisheries currently operate within the U.S. EEZ, though international fisheries on the high seas and in EEZs of other nations dominate pelagic harvests in the region. Current FMP 

management focuses primarily on regulating large limitedaccess domestic longline fisheries in Hawaii and American 

Samoa, which are by far the most developed fisheries in 

the U.S. Pacific Islands EEZ. These U.S.-based longliners 

also fish outside of the U.S. EEZ and are managed both 

inside and outside the zone by the FMP, as well as by U.S. 

participation in RFMOs. These organizations include the 

IATTC, which regulates pelagic fishing east of longitude 

150°W, and the Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission (WCPFC), which regulates pelagic fishing to the 

west of 150°W. The RFMOs also manage the very largescale tropical tuna purse seine fishery and albacore troll 

fishery in the region.

This section of the Bycatch Report focuses on two Pacific 

Islands fisheries regulated under the Pelagic FMP for which 

adequate bycatch data and estimation methods are currently available: the Hawaii-based deep-set pelagic longline 

fishery targeting tuna, and the Hawaii-based shallow-set 

pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish. Future editions 

of this report will include bycatch estimates for other Federal fisheries that have observer programs in place, such as 

the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery, and fisheries 

where data become available to develop such estimates.

4.6.2  Addressing Regional Bycatch Concerns

The staff members of PIFSC and PIRO have worked with 

WPFMC to implement a variety of operational and management measures to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality 

in Pacific Islands Federal fisheries. 

Bottomfish

The management of Hawaiian Archipelago bottomfish is 

conducted on an area-specific basis with Federal management measures in the NWHI and shared Federal–state 

measures in the eight main islands. This is the largest bottomfish fishery in the region, although it is shrinking under 

regulation. Bycatch of non-target fish, sharks, and two protected species, Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) and Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), 

are known to have occurred. In 2002, NMFS completed an 

ESA Section 7 BiOp on the bottomfish fishery’s interactions 

with endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The BiOp ruled that 

bottomfish fisheries of the western Pacific did not jeopardize the continued existence of Hawaiian monk seals. Due 

to concern over the fishery’s interactions with protected 

species, however, a mandatory observer program was 

implemented from 2003 through 2005. Funding for this 

program was diverted in 2005 in order to meet the 100% 

court-ordered coverage requirement for the Hawaii-based 

shallow-set pelagic longline fishery for swordfish.

In 2006, the NWHI were designated as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, an area that encompasses 

137,797 square miles of land and sea in the Pacific Ocean. 

Figure 4.6.1.

Management jurisdiction for Pacific Islands Region fisheries (percentages are based on numbers of fisheries, 

not volume or revenue; n = 31). “Shared” indicates that 

international, Federal, and state authorities share management jurisdiction for the fishery.

State

42% (13)

Shared

3% (1)

Federal

55% (17)

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All commercial fishing activities ceased in 2010 in order to 

promote recovery of the ecosystem to an unexploited state. 

Previous bycatch data from the NWHI observer program do 

not indicate any recent direct interactions with marine mammals, and the data for fish bycatch for that fishery have not 

been evaluated since the fishery is closed. 

For the other bottomfish fisheries (American Samoa, CNMI, 

Guam, and the main Hawaiian Islands), reliable bycatch 

data are currently unavailable. Attempts have been made 

to estimate bycatch as the difference between fishers’ selfreported catch and self-reported sales (from State Commercial catch report data in Hawaii) and from creel survey 

interviews in the other island areas (see the Bottomfish and 

Seamount Groundfish Resources of the Western Pacific 

Region 2005 annual report (WPFMC 2006). These estimates indicate an extremely low amount of fish bycatch; 

however, fishers’ self-reporting and creel survey interview 

comments have not been validated.

Unobserved mortality as a result of hook escapement, 

barotrauma, and depredation may also be a significant 

source of mortality in all bottomfish fisheries. Studies indicate that perhaps as many as 23 to 27 fish are lost for every 

100 brought aboard in the NWHI fishery. Much of this loss 

is attributed to depredation by sharks, although bycatch of 

sharks in the fishery is believed to be low overall. Fish mortality may also occur due to barotrauma (expansion of fish 

gas bladders as fish are pulled up from depth). A program 

encouraging fishermen to employ special bycatch release 

methods including venting and weighted return to depth has 

been developed and is being promoted for voluntary use in 

the region (Pacific Islands Fisheries Group n.d.).

Post-hooking survival rates for several bycatch species 

jacks and sharks) are believed to be high, as these species 

do not suffer from the effects of barotrauma. Long-standing 

FMP regulations such as prohibitions on the use of bottom 

trawls, bottom gillnets, explosives, poisons, and other gear 

restrictions are presumed to have been effective in limiting 

bycatch in the bottomfish fishery.

Crustaceans

Prior to its closure, a number of management measures 

had been instituted to reduce discards in the NWHI lobster 

fishery, including size limits, trap vents, and full retention of 

the target species. Size limits remain in place in the statemanaged fishery, where the great majority of the catch is 

hand-collected by divers. Tag-and-release research in the 

NWHI using underwater video indicated that if lobsters 

were kept wet during sorting and quickly returned to depth 

in traps that were then remotely opened, very little predation was observed, even in the presence of very high observed predator density. This method could be applied in 

other fisheries. 

Highly migratory species 

Only the longline fisheries are described in this section, as 

they represent the predominance of effort in Federal waters. Sharks, especially blue sharks (Prionace glauca), form 

the largest component of bycatch for Hawaii longline fisheries. Prior to regulations initiated in 2001–04 to prevent 

shark-finning and reduce sea turtle bycatch, under-utilized 

shark catch (finned and carcasses dumped) and especially 

the rate of shark catch (per unit of fishing effort) by the shallow-set longline fishery was much greater than in more recent times. Blue sharks were less frequent in the deep-set 

longline fishery, which remained opened while the shallowset fishery was closed over turtle concerns in 2001–04. Although many shark species can have very high post-release 

survival rates (Moyes et al. 2006), prior to 2001, shark mortality was high as sharks were often finned. Prohibitions on 

shark finning, implemented under the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000, appear to have been largely effective in 

eliminating the dumping of finned shark carcasses. Today, 

most of the shark catch is now categorized as discards, 

which was not the case when fins were harvested. Discards 

have therefore increased, but discards with long-term survival remain classified as bycatch in commercial fisheries. 

Since 2004, over 90% of the total shark catch has been released alive (WPFMC 2007). Required use of circle hooks 

with fish bait in the reopened (2004–present) shallow-set 

fishery appears also to have benefited sharks. 

A 2001 BiOp under ESA Section 7 on the combined deepset tuna and shallow-set swordfish fisheries concluded that 

the Hawaii-based longline fisheries jeopardized the continued existence of three sea turtle species: loggerhead 

(Caretta caretta), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and 

A school of sergeant major fish swim at a shipwreck at Pearl and Hermes Reef in Hawaiian 

waters.

Photo: Dwayne Meadows, NMFS

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

green (Chelonia mydas), but did not jeopardize the continued existence of the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys 

olivacea) or any ESA-listed marine mammals. This BiOp 

was overturned in litigation, but not before extensive changes were effected to dramatically reduce turtle bycatch and 

mortality, including a three-year closure of the swordfish 

fishery, a regulatory definition of gear and turtle take limits 

for the continued deep-set tuna fishery, measures for handling and release of protected species, and certified training 

for vessel operators. A 2004 BiOp on the region’s pelagic 

fisheries, a 2005 BiOp on the deep-set fishery, and a 2008 

BiOp on the shallow-set fishery concluded that neither fishery was likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a 

listed species. Litigation continues on the operation of this 

fishery, with challenges to NMFS policy by both industry associations and environmental groups.

Limits on incidental take of sea turtles were established by 

the 2004 and 2008 BiOps, mandating immediate closure 

of the Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery 

for swordfish when limits are reached in a calendar year. 

Take limits that trigger reconsultation but not closure were 

also established for green and olive ridley sea turtles in the 

swordfish fishery (one-year limits), and for all four turtle 

species in the Hawaii-based deep-set pelagic longline fishery for tuna (three-year limits). Currently, there is also a cap 

on effort (number of sets) that applies only in the shallowset swordfish fishery, which has 100% mandatory observer 

coverage to monitor sea-turtle interactions (the deep-set 

longline fishery is known to have significantly lower bycatch 

of marine turtles).When the swordfish fishery bycatch of 

loggerhead or leatherback sea turtles reaches the take limit, the fishery is closed for the remainder of the year, which 

occurred in 2006 but not in 2004, 2005, or 2007–2009. Sea 

turtle bycatch in the deep-set longline fishery stayed under 

the take limit through 2011. 

The changes in fishing gear that were required to reduce 

sea turtle bycatch in the swordfish fishery were the result of 

a success story that began in the Atlantic and continued to 

the Pacific. Watson et al. (2005) conducted experiments in 

the Atlantic Ocean which showed that replacing “J” hooks 

with large (size 18) circle hooks and replacing squid bait 

with fish bait could greatly reduce both loggerhead and 

leatherback sea turtle bycatch in swordfish longline fishing. Both measures were required in the reopened Hawaii 

swordfish fishery in 2004 and were as effective as expected 

in reducing turtle bycatch. In addition, the average rate of 

shark catch in the reopened swordfish fishery was much 

lower than before the gear was changed, perhaps due to 

the elimination of the previously used type of bait, squid, 

which is a preferred food of blue shark (Gilman et al. 2006). 

The fishery has also been much more concentrated in the 

early part of the calendar year than it was before effort was 

capped in 2004. This may also have reduced blue shark 

catch rates, which tended to be higher later in the year. Although not required to do so, the American Samoa longline 

fishery has always used circle hooks of varying size, and 

the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery, which used tuna hooks 

almost exclusively prior to 2004, has greatly increased its 

use of circle hooks. 

Other Pacific longline fisheries may have high levels of sea 

turtle bycatch, although the shallow-set type of fishing for 

swordfish, which has the highest turtle bycatch rates, has 

not yet been used in American Samoa or Guam. In fiscal 

year 2006, an observer program was implemented for the 

deep-set American Samoa longline fishery for albacore. Annual observer reports indicate that this fishery interacts with 

a large number of green sea turtles, false killer whales, and 

possibly other protected species. However, observer coverage has been inadequate for any statistically meaningful 

determinations to be made. As discussed previously, this 

fishery voluntarily uses circle hooks, which may have an 

ameliorating effect on bycatch.

In the Hawaii-based deep-set longline fishery (and less so in 

the shallow-set fishery), false killer whales become hooked 

or entangled in fishing gear and, as a result, may become 

seriously injured or killed. In 2010, NMFS convened a TRT 

to draft recommendations for a TRP for reducing serious 

injuries and mortalities of false killer whales that occur incidental to commercial fishing activities. NMFS will monitor 

its progress and ensure the TRP meets the MMPA goal of 

reducing false killer whale mortalities and serious injuries 

in the fisheries to appropriate levels. If not, NMFS will reconvene the TRT to develop additional consensus recommendations for reducing mortalities and serious injuries 

and amending the TRP. 

The Hawaii longline fishery is treated as two separate fisheries (deep-set and shallow-set) under the MMPA, without 

substantially altering the management strategy for either 

sector. The shallow-set sector is classified as a Category 

II fishery, and the deep-set sector is classified as a Category I fishery. There are no fish bycatch limits or fish bycatch management measures in the fishery, although there 

is a regulatory limit on the number of swordfish that may 

be retained per trip in the Hawaii tuna longline fishery, designed to discourage shallow fishing outside of the effort 

limits for the shallow-set swordfish fishery. The regulatory 

bycatch of non-retained swordfish under this rule is quite 

small compared with the retained catch in the swordfish 

fishery. Information on bycatch in small-scale island fisheries is available only from creel survey data in American 

Samoa, CNMI, and Guam. Fishermen interviewed indicate 

that they discard very little because few species and sizes 

are unwanted, and because when fish are discarded they 

are often in viable condition. These self-reported data are 

not used in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. No data on 

unobserved mortality in these fisheries are available. 

Interactions with seabirds are also of concern for longline 

fisheries in the Pacific Islands. In 2000 and 2004, the U.S. 

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Fish and Wildlife Service issued BiOps for the deep-set 

and shallow-set components of the Hawaii longline fishery. Of primary concern were potential interactions with the 

short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), an ESA-listed 

species. Bycatch of black-footed albatross (Phoebastria 

nigripes), Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), and 

other seabirds is also known to occur. Under the BiOps, 

reasonable and prudent measures (RPMs) for reducing 

seabird bycatch were identified, including testing of “sidesetting” (setting longline gear off the side of the boat versus 

the stern) and other seabird deterrents (dyed bait, weighted 

branch lines, and streamers) that had been shown by research fishing experiments to be highly effective in reducing interactions (Boggs 2001). Also mandated were safe-release and handling workshops for vessel operators, who are 

provided with handling guidelines and seabird identification 

cards. In 2006, side-setting was demonstrated by directed 

research, observer data, and other sources to be more effective at reducing seabird bycatch than several other seabird avoidance methods. The 2006 regulatory Amendment 

5 to the WPFMC Pelagic FMP included side-setting as one 

of the seabird avoidance techniques that fishermen may 

adopt to meet FMP requirements. 

The NMFS monitors seabird bycatch in the deep-set and 

shallow-set fisheries. The black-footed albatross is used 

as a proxy species to anticipate likely impacts to the much 

rarer endangered short-tailed albatross. To date, with 100% 

observer coverage in the shallow-set longline fishery (the 

fishery historically most susceptible to seabird bycatch) and 

approximately 20% coverage in the deep-set fishery, there 

has been no observed bycatch of a short-tailed albatross. 

Recent analyses have shown reductions in both numbers 

and catch rates for albatrosses in Hawaii longline fisheries. 

Overall, interaction numbers have been reduced by 95 to 

99%, and interaction rates have been reduced in both sectors of the fishery by at least 83%.

Precious Corals

Restriction under the FMP of harvesting methods to those 

that require species identification and measurement of coral before it is removed from the bottom prevented the type 

of widespread bycatch and bed destruction that characterizes such fisheries when corals are harvested by dredges 

or tangle nets. 

4.6.3  Data Sources

Table 4.6.1 lists bycatch data sources available for federally 

managed Pacific Islands Region fisheries and those state 

fisheries with relevant Federal data-collection programs. 

4.6.3.1  Observer Programs

Currently, there are two observer programs in place for the 

Pacific Islands Region (Table 4.6.2). The Hawaii longline 

program, which provides coverage of both the deep-set and 

the shallow-set longline fisheries, monitored 10,393 days 

in 2005 (7,099 and 3,294, respectively). The American 

Samoa longline observer program, which was initiated in 

2006, monitored a total of 381 fishing days in its first year. 

American Samoa Longline

A mandatory observer program for the American Samoa 

longline fishery was initiated in 2006 as a result of a Federal limited-entry permit system instituted at the end of 

2005. The observer coverage levels are based on the total number of trip departures by permitted vessels (at least 

20% observer coverage has been recommended but has 

not been achieved and is not currently targeted). Since the 

opening of the American Samoa Observer Program, 16% 

of the permitted fleet remains inactive. When an observer is 

ready for deployment, longline vessels are chosen using a 

random sampling scheme to select a vessel from the pool 

of candidates. All sets within a sampled trip are observed. 

Contract observers for the program are chosen from experienced observers who have previously worked in the 

Hawaii longline fisheries. Upon arrival, observers receive 

additional training in collection, identification, safety, and 

cultural awareness that is specific to this fishery. Observers 

are directed to collect data on fishing effort (gear configuration, deployment and retrieval, environmental conditions, 

etc.); biological data (target and bycatch composition, physical condition at capture and/or release, morphometrics, and 

sex identification); interactions with protected species; and 

samples for various research projects.

A fragment of this fishery utilizes open-deck, motorized 

catamarans called “alias” that are too small (less than 40 

feet in length) to safely accommodate an observer. The active permitted alia fleet is currently comprised of one vessel. While the inability to observe this vessel may create 

a bias in observer coverage, this vessel does self-report 

catch and bycatch through a mandatory Federal logbook 

program. Alias once dominated the fishery, but alia participation greatly diminished as larger vessels moved into the 

fishery, so this issue may become much less important. 

Among the larger vessels there could be a sampling bias 

arising from the two differing patterns of trip length. Some 

vessels stay out for two months or more and others stay for 

three to four weeks. Because sampling is performed on a 

trip-by-trip basis, long trips may result in over-estimation of 

the average trip estimates, while short-trips may produce 

under estimation. Accounting for effort differences may address this bias but also complicates the quantification of 

statistical confidence and coverage. Alternative coverage 

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Observer Program

U.S. National

Bycatch Report

Fisheries Authority to Place Observers

Program

Duration Coverage Level

American Samoa Pelagic 

Longline 

American Samoa 

Pelagic Longline 

Fishery

MSFCMA (50 CFR 665) 2006–present

2005: 0%

2006: 7.4%

2007: 7%

2008: 12%

Hawaii Bottomfish

Northwestern 

Hawaiian Islands 

Bottomfish

MSFCMA (50 CFR 665) 2003–06

2005: 21%

2006: 9.30%

2007–08: NA

Hawaii Pelagic Longline 

Hawaii-Based DeepSet Pelagic Longline 

Fishery (Tuna)

MSFCMA (50 CFR 665) 1994a–present

2005: 

26.1% deep-set, 

100% shallow-set

2006: 

21% deep-set,

100% shallow-set

2007–08: 

20% deep-set, 

100% shallow-set

Hawaii-Based 

Shallow-Set Pelagic 

Longline Fishery 

(Swordfish)

a Coverage levels were approximately 5% prior to 1994.

Table 4.6.2

Current Pacific Islands Region Federal observer programs and fisheries observed. Programs 

and observed fisheries are listed alphabetically. Observer programs that ended over 10 years 

ago are not listed here.

methods, such as comparing fleet hook and set effort to 

observed effort, are being evaluated during the program’s 

pilot stage. 

Hawaii Bottomfish

The Hawaii Bottomfish observer program became redundant with the closure of the fishery in 2010. Analyzing the 

fishery bycatch data would be useful in providing information on other unobserved bottomfish fisheries, although results would likely have some unknown bias due to dissimilar gear, habitat, and other factors in other fisheries.

Hawaii Longline

Mandatory sampling programs have been in place for Hawaii pelagic longline fisheries since 1994. In the Hawaii 

deep-set longline fishery, a probability sampling design 

for selecting trips has been used since 2002. Prior to 

2002 there was low coverage, around 5%, and various 

sampling protocols were used for selecting trips. Current 

coverage levels are around 20%. Trips are selected randomly for sampling, and all sets within a selected trip are 

observed. 

Since its re-opening in late 2004, 100% coverage of the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery has been maintained. From 

2002 to 2004 the fishery was closed, and prior to that the 

observer coverage was low, around 5%, with various sampling protocols used for selecting trips. All sampled hauls 

are watched in their entirety, with every fish recorded and 

biological information collected on selected species. Measurements are taken on a subset of fish. Scanning seabird 

abundance during setting may help explain the frequency 

of hooking during haulback, so observers are required to 

make two scan counts of seabird abundance during each 

set as well as at the beginning, during every other hour, and 

at the end of the hauling operation. Every haul is watched in 

its entirety with all marine mammal, sea turtle, and seabird 

bycatch being recorded, as well as biological information 

when feasible. Additionally, any seabird mitigation measures undertaken are recorded. 

Sampling bias is not a concern for either fishery. All trips are 

observed in the shallow-set longline fishery. In the deep-set 

longline fishery, all vessels are subject to being randomly 

sampled, and it is mandatory that they take an observer if 

selected. After completing the trip the observer returns to 

port for debriefing and data entry. The data then go through 

several quality control checks before the trip is identified as 

an approved trip.

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

4.6.3.2  Logbooks

A mandatory logbook program is currently in place for the 

Hawaii, American Samoa, and western Pacific general 

longline fisheries. The first complete year of Hawaii longline 

logbook reporting was 1991, and since then logbook data 

have been consistently collected. American Samoa logbook data have been collected since 1996, but submission 

of the General Fisheries Logbook (Guam) has been very 

infrequent. In addition, poor logbook reporting by some sectors of the fishery has created a bias in logbook catch estimates, which have been corrected using data from a creel 

survey. Effort data are collected on the number of hooks, 

location, and time of set and haul. Catch of pelagic species 

is recorded by species as numbers kept and released. All 

discards of all pelagic species are recorded, as well as bycatch of protected species. Records of non-target species 

are considered less reliable, especially concerning bycatch 

of seabirds and protected species. All hard-copy data are 

checked for quality, and then the data are entered and verified by NMFS staff.

4.6.3.3  State Dealer Data

A mandatory state dealer data-collection program is also in 

place for the Hawaii longline fishery and all other fisheries 

selling fish landed in the State of Hawaii. Data from 2000 

through the present are available in electronic format. The 

program tracks species of fish brought to the market, price, 

and weight (when practical). No data on bycatch are collected. 

4.6.3.4  Commercial Catch Reports

A mandatory commercial catch report is required of all commercial fishermen landing catch in the State of Hawaii, except for longliners. Data from 1948 through the present are 

available in electronic format, although not all data files are 

available for the early decades. The report includes information on catch by species, gear type, and area fished, and 

until the state sealer data system took over that function, 

the report also included weight of catch, pounds sold, and 

value. The difference between catch and pounds sold from 

these reports has sometimes been used as an estimate of 

bycatch.4 This method was not used in this report because 

this difference is thought to represent only retained catch 

that is not sold at first attempt, and which may be sold later 

or otherwise utilized. This would exclude it from the definition of bycatch used in this report. 

4 http://www.wpcouncil.org/bottomfish/BSAW2004/Documents/PanelReport.

pdf.

4.6.4  Pacific Islands Region

Bycatch Estimation Methods

Bycatch data and estimation methods were available for 

two Pacific Island Region fisheries: the Hawaii deep-set 

longline for tuna and the Hawaii shallow-set longline for 

swordfish. Estimation methods are currently being developed for other fisheries and will be included in future editions of this report.

Bycatch estimates for the 2005 Hawaii longline deep-set 

fishery were based on a random sample of longline trips on 

which scientific observers were deployed. Observed trips 

were selected using two sampling schemes. The primary 

scheme was a systematic sample. Before departing on a 

fishing trip, longline vessels were required to call the NMFS 

PIRO observer program contractor at least 72 hours prior 

to their intended departure date. To enable sample selection, the PIRO contractor numbered calls sequentially in the 

order in which they were received (referred to as the “call 

number”). Prior to the beginning of a quarter, a systematic 

sample of call numbers was drawn by PIFSC and supplied 

to the contractor. The trips associated with these selected 

call numbers were designated to be sampled. 

Because the number of observers was limited, it was impractical to achieve the full targeted coverage under the 

systematic design. The sample selected under the systematic design was slightly less than the targeted coverage 

rate, typically 5% less. The additional trips needed to reach 

the targeted level were then selected using a secondary 

sampling scheme when all trips selected by the systematic sample were already covered, and additional observers were available. In this instance, a trip was randomly 

selected from recently received call numbers that had not 

already been selected. 

Because the systematic sample was selected quarterly, 

point estimates of bycatch (counts) were computed on a 

quarterly basis and then summed for the total annual estimate. All observed bycatch on a trip was assigned to the 

quarter when the vessel returned to port after completing 

the trip. The approximate sampling probabilities during the 

periods when additional (secondary) samples were drawn 

were computed by enumerating the number of call-ins during consecutive periods of comparable coverage. It was 

then assumed that the additional trips were selected with 

equal probability from those trips that had not been selected as part of the systematic sample. When coverage was 

below that of the anticipated systematic sample, the sampling probabilities were computed by enumerating all callins during this period and assuming that the trips sampled 

were selected with equal probability. Because the coverage 

level changed with fluctuations in observer availability and 

fishing activity, trips were not selected with equal probability. Therefore, the Horvitz-Thompson estimator (Thompson 1992) was used to estimate total bycatch (counts), as 

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it takes into account unequal sampling probabilities. This 

estimator was used for fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, 

and seabirds. 

Approximate 95% confidence intervals (in units of counted 

bycaught individuals) for estimated total bycatch were computed on a quarterly basis for animals rarely caught, and 

on a quarterly and yearly basis for animals more frequently 

caught. For animals frequently caught, the confidence intervals were computed based on a normal approximation of 

the distribution of estimated total bycatch. Measures of uncertainty were not available for the bycatch estimates of fish 

in units of weight (as presented in this report) as a statistical 

estimator has not been developed. For rarely caught animals such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds, 

confidence intervals were computed on a quarterly basis, 

under the assumption that counts are Poisson variants.

During the third and fourth quarter of 2005, several vessels participated in an experiment that involved alternating, 

within a set, between circle hooks and the hook type the 

vessel normally used. All trips involved in this experiment 

had an observer onboard. These trips were considered to 

be part of the Hawaii longline deep-set fishery, as the protocol for this experiment fell under current legal practices for 

this fishery. Because these trips had 100% coverage they 

were not part of the random sampling scheme. To estimate 

the total bycatch for all deep-set longline fishing activity, the 

total observed bycatch from these experimental trips was 

added to the total estimated bycatch for trips subject to the 

random sampling scheme (i.e., all trips not participating in 

the experiment).

Bycatch estimates for the 2005 Hawaii longline shallow-set 

fishery were based on a census of longline trips on which 

scientific observers were deployed. Because the total bycatch (counts) of all animals was recorded for all trips in the 

shallow set fishery, the total bycatch was known. 

Estimates of bycatch weights were computed from the estimated counts using observer information on discarded fish 

size and available weight–length regressions. Longline fishery observers make two kinds of observations of fish size: 

actual measurements of decked fish length (in centimeters) 

and visual estimation of fish length (in feet) for fish released 

without being brought aboard. The protocol for size data 

collection has changed over time from measuring all fish of 

only certain species (tunas, billfishes, and sharks) to measuring every third fish of any species that comes aboard 

the vessel. This change in protocol occurred during 2005, 

and it was only after the change that substantial numbers 

of measurements became available for species that are 

predominantly discarded. To obtain larger sample sizes of 

discarded fish, all size data from 2004 to 2006 were used. 

The numbers of discarded fish size observations in the 

2004–06 data sets varied from thousands of observations 

on discards of target species to zero for the more infrequent 

bycatch species. The first priority for estimating the size of 

a species was to use actual measurements. Separate fishsize estimates were compiled for the two longline fishery 

sectors (swordfish and tuna). Often, there were very few or 

no actual measurements. A size estimate was calculated as 

the mean of the actual measurements if there were at least 

five observations. Otherwise a five-point weighted average 

was used to include data from other sources, such as visually estimated fish lengths. For example, if there were less 

than five measurements (e.g., only two) the remaining point 

weight (three) for the weighted average was provided from 

the average of the visually estimated weights. If at least 

three visual observations were not available, the remaining 

point weight was provided from data on the same species 

from the other fishery sector. Still, there were sometimes 

fewer than five observations available to estimate discarded fish size (e.g., black marlin, Makaira indica). Estimates 

of the variance for such estimates were not possible.

Weight–length regressions available for most species from 

the literature or on the web (e.g., from Fishbase; see http://

www.fishbase.org) were used to convert length estimates 

to weight estimates. Where a regression was not available, 

one was sometimes used for a closely related species with 

similar allometry. For groupings of taxa, regression-based 

weight estimates for one or more of the predominant taxa in 

the grouping were averaged.

4.6.5  Tier Classification of Pacific

Islands Region Fisheries

The quality of bycatch data and estimation methods were 

analyzed for 18 Pacific Islands Region fisheries with Federal 

management authority, relevant Federal data-collection programs, or shared Federal–state management. Only Federal 

data sources were evaluated for this report. Other data may 

be available for state and international fisheries; however, 

these programs were beyond the scope of this initial report. 

The remaining 13 fisheries are not federally managed and 

have no relevant Federal data-collection programs, or are 

recreational or aquaculture fisheries, and were therefore 

excluded from the analysis in this report. Catches in unscored fisheries amounted to only about 300,000 pounds of 

primarily reef fish species in 2005, a very small fraction of 

regional landings. 

Tier classifications were assigned to each fishery using the 

tier scoring procedures outlined in Section 3 for fish, marine mammals, and other protected species (Table 4.6.3). 

Regional fisheries were evaluated based on the quality of 

Fish, Marine Mammals, and Other Protected Species bycatch data and estimation methods. 

The majority of fisheries were classified as Tier 1 for fish 

(66%, Figure 4.6.2A). Eleven percent of fisheries were clasaO-4.6 text.indd 374 1/17/12 
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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Fishery

Management

Authority Fish Tier

Marine

Mammals

Tier

Other

Protected

Species Tier

American Samoa Bottomfish Federal 1 0 0

American Samoa Lobster Federal 0 0 0

American Samoa Pelagic Longline Fishery Federal 1 0 0

American Samoa Troll Federal 1 0 0

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Bottomfish Federal 1 0 0

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Lobster Federal 0 0 0

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Tuna Troll Federal 1 0 0

Guam Bottomfish Handline Federal 1 0 0

Guam Longline Federal 1 0 0

Guam Troll Federal 1 0 0

Hawaii Shrimp Trap Federal 1 0 0

Hawaii-Based Deep-Set Pelagic Longline Fishery for Tuna Federal 2 3 3

Hawaii-Based Shallow-Set Pelagic Longline Fishery for 

Swordfish Federal 3 4 4

Non-Longline Commercial Pelagic Fishery Federal 1 0 0

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish Federal 2 3 3

Precious Coral (Federal Waters) Federal 1 0 0

Western Pacific Squid Jig Federal 1 0 0

Hawaii Bottomfish Federal, State 0 0 0

Hawaii Crab Trap State

Hawaii Fish Pond State

Hawaii Fish Trap State

Hawaii Inshore Handline State

Hawaii Lay Net State

Hawaii Lobster Diving State

Hawaii Lobster Trap State

Hawaii Octopus, Spear State

Hawaii Opelu/Akule Net State

Hawaii Pelagic Handline State

Hawaii Throw Net, Cast Net State

Hawaii Trolling, Rod and Reel State

Precious Coral (State Waters) State

Table 4.6.3

The 2005 fishery tier classifications for the Pacific Islands region (listed alphabetically, first by management authority and then by fishery). Shaded fisheries 

were evaluated for this report. Only Federal data sources were evaluated for 

this report.

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sified as Tier 2 for fish, 6% as Tier 3, and the remainder as 

Tier 0 (three fisheries, or 17%). No fisheries were classified 

as Tier 4 for fish bycatch data collection and estimation. 

Of the fisheries evaluated, one fishery (the Hawaii-based 

shallow-set pelagic longline fishery for swordfish) was classified as Tier 4 for both marine mammals and other protected species. Two evaluated Pacific Islands fisheries were 

classified as Tier 3 for both marine mammals and other protected species (Figure 4.6.2B and C). The remaining fisheries were classified as tier 0 for marine mammals and other 

protected species.

4.6.6  Pacific Islands Region Key Stocks

Twenty-one key stocks were identified in the Pacific Islands 

Region (Table 4.6.4). As in other regions, not all species 

listed as key stocks had available bycatch estimates. For 

example, all 14 ESA-listed species found in the Pacific Islands Region were prioritized for inclusion in the list of key 

stocks, regardless of whether bycatch was reported. The 

21 key stocks were split fairly evenly between fish (15%), 

marine mammals (32%), sea turtles (24%), and seabirds 

(29%) (Figure 4.6.3). In some cases, species identified for 

analysis were subsequently shown not to merit further consideration.5

All ESA-listed marine mammal populations found in the 

Pacific Islands (five cetaceans and one pinniped) were included in the list of key stocks. Additionally, the false killer 

whale (Pseudorca crassidens) was identified as a key stock 

through the quantitative evaluation process. It is considered 

a strategic stock under the MMPA. 

All species of sea turtles found in the Pacific Islands were 

designated as key stocks, as all sea turtle species are listed 

under the ESA and are therefore prioritized as key stocks. 

The leatherback and the Mexican breeding populations of 

olive ridley and green turtles are endangered, while the log5 Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) was initially identified as a key 

stock through the quantitative process due to unknown FSSI status as part 

of the Coral Reef Complex (both overfished and overfishing status were 

listed as unknown). After evaluating the biological and economic conditions, the Pacific Islands Regional team concluded that the (approximately) 

four tons of discarded barracuda, potentially worth only about $8,000, was 

negligible compared with the reported 366 tons harvested in the same Food 

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations area (FAO area 77) by 

fisheries of all nations in 2005 (FAO 2007). Additionally, in the adjacent 

Western Pacific (FAO Area 71), the reported barracuda harvest by all nations) was about 20,000 tons. Although the harvests were from separate 

stocks, they provide an indication that the productivity of regional great barracuda stocks should easily support small amounts of discards. For these 

reasons, the regional team elected to remove great barracuda from the list 

of key stocks. Through the qualitative process, the Pacific Islands team 

added to the list of key stocks one FSSI stock, the blue shark, and two 

non-FSSI fish stocks, the longnose lancetfish (Alepisaurus ferox) and the 

big-eye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus). These three species are the 

most numerous discarded fish species in the longline fishery, and are also 

those with the greatest discarded weight. 

Figure 4.6.2

Pacific Islands Region fishery tier classifications, by number 

and percentage, for fisheries with Federal management or 

relevant Federal data-collection programs for A) fish, B) marine mammals, and C) other protected species. Tier scores 

are for the year 2005.

A. Pacific Islands — Fish

n = 18

Tier 2

11% (2)

Tier 3

6% (1) Tier 0

17% (3)

Tier 1

66% (12)

C. Pacific Islands — Other Protected Species

n = 18

Tier 0

83% (15)

Tier 4

6% (1) Tier 3

11% (2)

B. Pacific Islands — Marine Mammals

n = 18

Tier 0

83% (15)

Tier 4

Tier 3 6% (1)

11% (2)

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Key Fish Stocks Listed by FSSI

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Overfishing Overfished

Blue shark Prionace glauca No No

Key Fish Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

None

Key Fish Stocks Not Listed by FSSI or ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus

Not applicable

Longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Stock status

Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Endangered

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Endangered

Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi Endangered

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Endangered

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Endangered

Key Marine Mammal Stocks Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

ZMRG Stock status Common a name Scientific name

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 0.24 Unknown

Key Sea Turtle Populations

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Population status

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas

Threatened

(except in Florida and the Pacific coast of Mexico, 

where the breeding populations are endangered)

Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Threatened

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea

Endangered

(except the Pacific coast of Mexico breeding 

populations, which are endangered)

Table 4.6.4

Key fish and marine mammal stocks and key sea turtle and 

seabird populations for the Pacific Islands Region. Overfishing/

overfished status based on 2008 Quarter 1 FSSI report

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Key Seabird Populations Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Population status

Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia 

sandwichensis Endangered

Newell’s Townsend’s 

shearwater Puffinus auricularis newelli Threatened

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus Endangered

Key Seabird Populations Not Listed by ESA

Species/stock name

Common name Scientific name Bycatch concern Population status

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes Yes Increasing/Decreasing/ Stableb

Brown booby Sula leucogaster Unknown Unknown

Laysan albatross Phoebastria immutabilis Yes Increasing/Decreasing/ Stablec

a Stock status based on NMFS Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (Caretta, Forney, Lowry, et al. 2007).

b Different colonies have different population trends (see Naughton et al. 2008a).

c Different colonies have different population trends (see Naughton et al. 2008b).

Figure 4.6.3

Numbers and percentages of key stocks for the 

Pacific Islands Region by resource type (n = 21).

Seabirds

29% (6)

Sea turtles

24% (5)

Marine

mammals

32% (7)

Non-ESA, non-FSSI

fish stocks

10% (2)

FSSI fish stocks

5% (1)

ESA fish 

stocks

0% (0)

Breakdown of 

Fish Stocks

Table 4.6.4 (continued)

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gerhead, hawksbill, and other breeding populations of olive 

ridley and green turtles are threatened.

Due to unknown bycatch status and listing as a bird of 

conservation concern, the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) 

was listed as a key stock during the quantitative evaluation 

process. Two albatross species were also added to the Pacific Islands list of key stocks, one through the quantitative 

process (black-footed) and one through the qualitative process (Laysan). The black-footed and Laysan albatross are 

also on the USFWS List of Birds of Conservation Concern. 

Under the BiOp for the Hawaii longline fishery, the blackfooted albatross is used as a proxy for the short-tailed albatross, an ESA-listed species. In addition to the short-tailed 

albatross, two other species were included as regional key 

stocks due to their ESA status: the Hawaiian dark-rumped 

petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis) and Newell’s Townsend’s shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli). 

4.6.7  Pacific Islands Region Bycatch Estimates

Appendix 4.6, Tables 4.6.A–F list available bycatch estimates by fishery, based on 2005 data (for fish, turtles, and 

Recommendation a Additional DAS b Feasibility

Develop statistical estimator for discarded fish weight in the Hawaii deep-set and 

shallow-set longline fisheries. NA High

Maintain current observer program coverage levels for the Hawaii deep- and 

shallow-set pelagic longline fisheries. ** High

Increase observer program coverage levels for the American Samoa pelagic 

longline fishery to 40% (4 observers, based on 2006 data). 855 High

Develop statistical estimator for discarded fish weight in the American Samoa 

Longline fishery. NA High

Number of new full-time staff needed to implement all data-quality and estimation 

method improvements recommended by the Pacific Islands Region: 6

Total requirement for all DAS recommendations: c 855

a Some recommendations may require additional resource expenditures, such as equipment, which are not itemized. b One observer DAS includes the cost for the observer deployment as well as costs for associated equipment and program administrative functions (staffing). c This amount is in addition to the annual requirements of Pacific Islands Region observer programs.

seabirds) or the average from the years 2002–06 (marine 

mammals). Bycatch estimates were available for only two 

fisheries (Hawaii deep-set and Hawaii shallow-set longline) 

for inclusion in this report. Bycatch estimates were computed for all species observed caught in recent years. Bycatch 

estimates were provided for 88 fish stocks and stock groups, 

15 marine mammal stocks, 4 sea turtle populations, and 4 

seabird populations. Disposition of one of the most numerous bycatch species (blue sharks) has been discussed previously in this section. Over the last decade, populations of 

some high-bycatch species, such as longnose lancetfish, 

appear to be increasing; while others, such as escolar, are 

experiencing increased marketability (escolar is marketed 

as Hawaiian butterfish). 

Landings information was available for 19 bycatch fish 

stocks. Bycatch reported for stock groups could not be 

compared with landings data, as the individual stocks making up the bycatch were unknown (e.g., reported as “billfish” 

or “unidentified bony fish”). In other cases, landings data 

may be confidential or unavailable, or the stock may not 

be landed. Where landings data were available, they are 

presented in Table 4.6.5. The timeframe of data used to 

calculate bycatch is included in Tables 4.6A–F. 

Table 4.6.5

Summary of Pacific Islands Region recommendations and estimated 

requirements for implementation in terms of full-time staff and observer DAS. All requirements are annual unless otherwise indicated; 

** denotes no additional annual cost. For further discussion of recommendations, see Section 5.8. 

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4.6.8  Bycatch Estimate Improvement Plans

for Pacific Islands Region Fisheries

An improvement plan was developed for the two Pacific Islands Region fisheries where bycatch data and estimation 

methods are currently available. The improvement plan for 

Hawaii longline fisheries covers both sectors (deep-set and 

shallow-set longline) and focuses on improving the quality 

of length–weight conversions for bycatch species. The Pacific Islands Regional team also recommends maintaining 

observer coverage for the fishery at current levels.

4.6.8.1  Improvement Plans

American Samoa Longline Fishery

Tier Classes: Fish = 1; Marine Mammals = 0; Other Protected Species = 0 

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

•	 Observer coverage of this fishery is too low (7% in 2007) 

to reliably detect rare species of management concern 

that may interact with this fishery. 

•	 Sample size of fish bycatch estimates is at baseline levels.

•	 Vessel sampling bias exists as a result of vessel safety 

compliance issues.

Recommendations

•	 It was recommended to increase observer coverage to 

40% to increase the likelihood of documenting rare interactions, and increase bycatch sample size.

•	 Increased measurement of discards, improvement in 

length–weight relationships, and the development of a 

statistical method to better estimate total fish discard 

weight and provide confidence limits were recommended.

•	 It was also recommended to minimize vessel sampling 

bias by increasing the number of observers available to 

ensure compliance. 

Hawaii Longline Fisheries

Tier Classes:

Deep-set: Fish = 2; Marine Mammals = 3; Other Protected 

Species = 3

Shallow-set: Fish = 3; Marine Mammals = 4; Other Protected Species = 4

Bycatch and data-collection concerns:

Sufficient measurements of bycatch fish lengths and adequate length–weight regressions to produce good estimates of fish bycatch weight are not yet available for 

most species. For the key fish stocks there are length–

weight regressions available, along with dozens (bigeye 

thresher shark), hundreds (blue shark), or thousands 

(lancetfish) of length measurements.

•	 More measurements and better length–weight regressions are needed. (Currently 55 measurements are available for bigeye thresher shark and 11 for lancetfish.)

•	 A method of estimating the statistical properties of the 

estimated fish bycatch weights is lacking. 

Recommendations: 

•	 Increased measurement of discards, improvement in 

length–weight relationships, and development of a statistical method to better estimate total fish discard weight 

and provide confidence limits were recommended. 

•	 In 2006, observers started measuring a subsample of fish 

on each haul, which will eventually provide sufficient data 

for improved estimates, but to adequately characterize all 

species a total census of lengths was recommended to 

provide more accurate estimates. 

•	 The development of a statistical estimator for discarded 

fish weight that takes into account the variability in recorded lengths and the uncertainty in the weight–length 

relationships used to convert these lengths into weights 

was also recommended.

•	 The estimated resources needed to implement improvements were three full-time staff for two years, with only 

two full-time staff members needed for maintenance following the initial two-year period.

4.6.8.2  Summary of Cost and Feasibility of

Pacific Islands Region Recommendations

Table 4.6.5 outlines bycatch data-collection and estimation 

improvements recommended by the Pacific Islands Region. The feasibility of implementing these recommendations was evaluated by the Pacific Islands Regional team 

based on overall resource requirements, currently available 

resources, and external factors. A total of four recommendations were made, involving new resources of six full-time 

staff members and 855 observer DAS. These improvements 

•

aO-4.6 text.indd 380 1/17/12 
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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Observer measures a tuna.

Photo: NMFS, PIRO

Bigeye tuna. Yellowfin tuna.

Photo: NMFS, PIROPhoto: NMFS, PIRO

would raise the fish tier classifications one level in three 

fisheries, and the marine mammal and other protected species tier classifications by at least one level in one fishery. 

Costs for enhancing existing programs or implementing 

new observer programs are recommended in addition to 

current program operating costs. Observer program costs 

for the Pacific Islands Region were $5.7M in FY 2008. The 

American Samoa longline fishery has only preliminary bycatch estimates for protected species (from annual reports 

starting in 2006), and is not listed in Appendix 4.6. Fish bycatch estimates have not yet been made, and the existing 

pilot observer program has inadequate coverage and funding to provide such estimates. This fishery would have the 

highest priority for future work. 

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Subtable 4.6.A.1

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Albacore Thunnus alalunga 2005 8,027.02 Pounds

Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus 2005 426,336.03 Pounds

Bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus 2005 128,090.63 Pounds

Bignose shark Carcharhinus altimus 2005 66.14 Pounds

Billfishes* Istiophoridae 2005 24,738.04 Pounds

Black mackerel Scombrolabrax heterolepis 2005 55.12 Pounds

Black marlin Makaira indica 2005 610.68 Pounds

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Blue shark Prionace glauca 2005 4,816,697.87 Pounds

Bony fishes* Osteichthyes 2005 119.05 Pounds

Bony fishes (unidentified)* Osteichthyes 2005 257.94 Pounds

Brama pomfrets (unidentified)* Bramidae 2005 1,168.45 Pounds

Brilliant pomfret Eumegistus illustris 2005 723.12 Pounds

Cookie cutter shark Isistius brasiliensis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Cottonmouth jacks (unidentified)* Uraspis spp. 2005 48.50 Pounds

Crestfish Lophotus lacepede 2005 2,998.28 Pounds

Crocodile shark Pseudocarcharias kamoharai 2005 6,417.65 Pounds

Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus 2005 37,405.79 Pounds

Driftfishes Cubiceps spp. 2005 41.89 Pounds

Escolar Lepidocybium flavobrunneum 2005 11,378.04 Pounds

Galapagos shark Carcharhinus galapagensis 2005 1,324.98 Pounds

Great barracuda Sphyraena barracuda 2005 8,489.99 Pounds

Grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos 2005 0.00 Pounds

Hammerhead sharks* Sphyrna spp. 2005 2,414.06 Pounds

Indo-Pacific blue marlin Makaira mazara 2005 27,352.72 Pounds

Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis 2005 0.00 Pounds

King-of-salmon Trachipterus altivelis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Knifetail pomfret Taractes rubescens 2005 12,932.30 Pounds

Longfin mako shark Isurus paucus 2005 2,504.45 Pounds

Appendix 4.6 Pacific Islands Region Bycatch Estimates 

Table 4.6.A 

Subtables showing estimates of annual fish bycatch in Pacific Islands Region fisheries, in 

live pounds. Estimates reflect the average of the years identified. Key stocks are shaded. 

* following the names of stock groups indicates fisheries for which bycatch estimates were 

available only for the generalized stock group. Fishery bycatch ratios = bycatch / (bycatch 

+ landings). 

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(continuation of Subtable 4.6.A.1)

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox 2005 922,036.02 Pounds

Louvar Luvarus imperialis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Makos* Isurus spp. 2005 2,475.79 Pounds

Manta Manta birostris 2005 617.29 Pounds

Mantas, mobulas (unidentified)* Mobulidae 2005 0.00 Pounds

Mantas (unidentified)* Mobula spp. 2005 1,388.91 Pounds

Oarfish Regalecus glesne 2005 0.00 Pounds

Ocean sunfish Mola mola 2005 37,967.97 Pounds

Oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus 2005 58,402.59 Pounds

Oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus 2005 5,158.81 Pounds

Omosudid (hammerjaw) Omosudis lowei 2005 268.96 Pounds

Opah Lampris guttatus 2005 36,563.62 Pounds

Pacific (chub) mackerel Scomber japonicus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Pacific bonito Sarda chiliensis 2005 0.00 Pounds

Pelagic puffer Lagocephalus lagocephalus 2005 2,021.64 Pounds

Pelagic stingray Dasyatis violacea 2005 38,042.92 Pounds

Pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus 2005 5,418.96 Pounds

Pompano dolphin Coryphaena equiselis 2005 401.24 Pounds

Rainbow runner Elagatis bipinnulatus 2005 154.32 Pounds

Rays (other)* Rajiformes 2005 0.00 Pounds

Rays (unidentified)* Rajiformes 2005 0.00 Pounds

Razorback scabbardfish Assurger anzac 2005 2,691.84 Pounds

Roudi escolar Promethichthys prometheus 2005 2,387.60 Pounds

Rough pomfret Taractes asper 2005 1,671.10 Pounds

Rough triggerfish Canthidermis maculata 2005 4.41 Pounds

Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus 2005 346.13 Pounds

Salmon shark Lamna ditropis 2005 599.66 Pounds

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005 3,225.36 Pounds

Scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini 2005 773.82 Pounds

Scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus 2005 35.27 Pounds

Shark (other)* Chondrichthyes 2005 130.07 Pounds

Sharks (unidentified)* Chondrichthyes 2005 51,085.45 Pounds

Sharptail mola Masturus lanceolatus 2005 6,217.03 Pounds

Shortbill spearfish Tetrapturus angustirostris 2005 36,217.50 Pounds

Shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus 2005 156,618.41 Pounds

Table 4.6.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.6.A.1)

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Shortnose lancetfish Alepisaurus brevirostris 2005 0.00 Pounds

Sickle pomfret Taractichthys steindachneri 2005 4,995.67 Pounds

Silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis 2005 36,034.51 Pounds

Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis 2005 81,196.15 Pounds

Slender mola Ranzania laevis 2005 34,557.42 Pounds

Smooth hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena 2005 2,453.74 Pounds

Snake mackerel Gempylus serpens 2005 156,338.42 Pounds

Striped marlin Tetrapturus audax 2005 27,277.76 Pounds

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 2005 23,734.94 Pounds

Tapertail ribbonfish Trachipterus fukuzakii 2005 2,546.34 Pounds

Thresher shark Alopias vulpinus 2005 0.00 Pounds

Thresher sharks (unidentified)* Alopiidae 2005 57,203.28 Pounds

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvieri 2005 4,310.03 Pounds

Triggerfish (unidentified)* Balistidae 2005 0.00 Pounds

Tunas* Scombridae 2005 20,719.02 Pounds

Velvet dogfish Scymnodon squamulosus 2005 844.37 Pounds

Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri 2005 13,287.24 Pounds

White shark Carcharodon carcharias 2005 92.59 Pounds

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares 2005 86,273.39 Pounds

Yellowtail jack Seriola lalandi 2005 0.00 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 7,436,959.28 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 19,000,500.00 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 26,936,959.28 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.28

Table 4.6.A (continued)

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Subtable 4.6.A.2

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (SWORDFISH)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Albacore Thunnus alalunga 2005 15,928.38 Pounds

Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus 2005 6,538.90 Pounds

Bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus 2005 5,985.54 Pounds

Bignose shark Carcharhinus altimus 2005 66.14 Pounds

Billfishes* Istiophoridae 2005 4,720.09 Pounds

Black marlin Makaira indica 2005 152.12 Pounds

Blue shark Prionace glauca 2005 822,523.88 Pounds

Bony fishes (other)* Osteichthyes 2005 2.20 Pounds

Bony fishes (unidentified)* Osteichthyes 2005 94.80 Pounds

Brama pomfrets (unidentified)* Bramidae 2005 0.00 Pounds

Brilliant pomfret Eumegistus illustris 2005 4.41 Pounds

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondricthyes 2005 6,968.80 Pounds

Cookie cutter shark Isistius brasiliensis 2005 2.20 Pounds

Crocodile shark Pseudocarcharias kamoharai 2005 50.71 Pounds

Dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus 2005 19,418.29 Pounds

Escolar Lepidocybium flavobrunneum 2005 12,912.46 Pounds

Galapagos shark Carcharhinus galapagensis 2005 817.91 Pounds

Great barracuda Sphyraena barracuda 2005 22.05 Pounds

Indo-Pacific blue marlin Makaira mazara 2005 11,397.89 Pounds

Knifetail pomfret Taractes rubescens 2005 88.18 Pounds

Longfin mako shark Isurus paucus 2005 277.78 Pounds

Longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox 2005 5,676.90 Pounds

Louvar Luvarus imperialis 2005 15.43 Pounds

Mako sharks* Isurus spp. 2005 3,331.18 Pounds

Mantas (unidentified)* Mobula spp. 2005 132.28 Pounds

Ocean sunfish Mola mola 2005 5,767.29 Pounds

Oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus 2005 38,640.37 Pounds

Oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus 2005 2,777.82 Pounds

Opah Lampris guttatus 2005 2,780.03 Pounds

Pelagic puffer Lagocephalus lagocephalus 2005 145.50 Pounds

Pelagic stingray Dasyatis violacea 2005 487.22 Pounds

Pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus 2005 149.91 Pounds

Salmon shark Lamna ditropis 2005 628.32 Pounds

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 2005 1,082.47 Pounds

Shortbill spearfish Tetrapturus angustirostris 2005 3,168.04 Pounds

Table 4.6.A (continued)

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(continuation of Subtable 4.6.A.2)

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (SWORDFISH)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus 2005 31,521.66 Pounds

Sickle pomfret Taractichthys steindachneri 2005 167.55 Pounds

Silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis 2005 2,500.04 Pounds

Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis 2005 171.96 Pounds

Slender mola Ranzania laevis 2005 11.02 Pounds

Smooth hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena 2005 930.35 Pounds

Snake mackerel Gempylus serpens 2005 685.64 Pounds

Striped marlin Tetrapturus audax 2005 17,698.69 Pounds

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 2005 76,784.71 Pounds

Thresher sharks* Alopiidae 2005 1,029.56 Pounds

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvieri 2005 5,577.69 Pounds

Tunas* Scombridae 2005 776.03 Pounds

Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri 2005 72.75 Pounds

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares 2005 628.32 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1,111,311.46 Pounds

TOTAL FISHERY LANDINGS 3,500,000.00 Pounds

TOTAL CATCH (Bycatch + Landings) 4,611,311.46 Pounds

FISHERY BYCATCH RATIO (Bycatch/Total Catch) 0.24

Table 4.6.A (continued)

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCHb SPECIES LANDINGSc

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIOd

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Albacore Thunnus alalunga

See species 

column

23,955.40 Pounds 1,008,007.00 Pounds 0.02

Bigeye thresher 

shark e Alopias superciliosus 432,874.93 Pounds see footnote **

Bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus 134,076.17 Pounds 10,934,544.00 Pounds 0.01

Bignose shark Carcharhinus 

altimus 132.28 Pounds ^ – **

Billfishes* Istiophoridae 29,458.13 Pounds – – **

Black mackerel Scombrolabrax 

heterolepis 55.12 Pounds ^ – **

Black marlin Makaira indica 762.80 Pounds 2,461.00 Pounds 0.24

Blacktip shark Carcharhinus 

limbatus 0.00 Pounds ^ – **

Blue sharkf Prionace glauca 5,639,221.75 Pounds see footnote **

Bony fishes* Osteichthyes 119.05 Pounds – – **

Bony fishes (other)* Osteichthyes 2.20 Pounds – – **

Bony fishes 

(unidentified)* Osteichthyes 352.74 Pounds – – **

Brama pomfrets 

(unidentified) g Bramidae 1,168.45 Pounds see footnote – **

Brilliant pomfret g Eumegistus illustris 727.53 Pounds see footnote **

Cartilaginous fishes* Chondricthyes 6,968.80 Pounds – – **

Cookie cutter shark Isistius brasiliensis 2.20 Pounds ^ – **

Cottonmouth jacks 

(unidentified)* Uraspis spp. 48.50 Pounds – – **

Crestfish Lophotus lacepede 2,998.28 Pounds ^ – **

Crocodile shark Pseudocarcharias 

kamoharai 6,468.36 Pounds ^ – **

Dolphinfish Coryphaena 

hippurus 56,824.08 Pounds 1,439,168.00 Pounds 0.04

Driftfishes Cubiceps spp 41.89 Pounds ^ – **

Escolar Lepidocybium 

flavobrunneum 24,290.50 Pounds 3,436.00 Pounds 0.88

Table 4.6.B

Summary of Pacific Islands Region bycatch by species. All estimates are live weights. Key 

stocks are shaded. * following the names of stock groups indicates fisheries for which bycatch estimates were available only for the generalized stock group. Species bycatch ratio = 

the total regional bycatch of a species / (total regional landings of the species + total regional 

bycatch of the species).

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TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCHb SPECIES LANDINGSc

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIOd

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Galapagos shark Carcharhinus 

galapagensis

See species 

column

2,142.89 Pounds ^ – **

Great barracuda Sphyraena 

barracuda 8,512.04 Pounds 33,878.00 Pounds 0.20

Grey reef shark Carcharhinus 

amblyrhynchos 0.00 Pounds ^ – **

Hammerhead 

sharks* Sphyrna spp. 2,414.06 Pounds – – **

Indo-Pacific blue 

marlin Makaira mazara 38,750.61 Pounds 969,226.00 Pounds 0.04

Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis 0.00 Pounds 3,342.00 Pounds 0.00

King-of-salmon Trachipterus altivelis 0.00 Pounds ^ – **

Knifetail pomfretg Taractes rubescens 13,020.48 Pounds see footnote **

Longfin mako sharkh Isurus paucus 2,782.23 Pounds see footnote **

Longnose lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox 927,712.92 Pounds ^ – **

Louvar Luvarus imperialis 15.43 Pounds ^ – **

Mako sharks h Isurus 5806.97 Pounds see footnote – **

Manta Manta birostris 617.29 Pounds ^ – **

Mantas, mobulas 

(unidentified)* Mobulidae 0.00 Pounds – – **

Mantas 

(unidentified)* Mobula spp. 1,521.19 Pounds – – **

Oarfish Regalecus glesne 0.00 Pounds ^ – **

Oceanic whitetip 

shark

Carcharhinus 

longimanus 97,042.96 Pounds ^ – **

Ocean sunfish Mola mola 43,735.26 Pounds 123.00 Pounds 1.00

Oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus 7,936.63 Pounds 385,809.00 Pounds 0.02

Omosudid 

(hammerjaw) Omosudis lowei 268.96 Pounds ^ – **

Opah Lampris guttatus 39,343.65 Pounds 1,086,076.00 Pounds 0.03

Pacific (chub) 

mackerel Scomber japonicus 0.00 Pounds – – **

Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis 0.00 Pounds – – **

Pacific bonito Sarda chiliensis 0.00 Pounds – – **

Pelagic puffer Lagocephalus 

lagocephalus 2,167.14 Pounds ^ – **

Pelagic stingray Dasyatis violacea 38,530.14 Pounds ^ – **

Table 4.6.B (continued)

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCHb SPECIES LANDINGSc

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIOd

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Pelagic thresher 

sharke Alopias pelagicus

See species 

column

5,568.87 Pounds ^ – **

Pompano dolphin Coryphaena 

equiselis 401.24 Pounds ^ – **

Rainbow runner Elagatis bipinnulatus 154.32 Pounds 4,265.00 Pounds 0.03

Rays (other)* Rajiformes 0.00 Pounds – – **

Rays (unidentified)* Rajiformes 0.00 Pounds – – **

Razorback 

scabbardfish Assurger anzac 2,691.84 Pounds ^ – **

Roudi escolar Promethichthys 

prometheus 2,387.60 Pounds ^ – **

Rough pomfretg Taractes asper 1,671.10 Pounds see footnote **

Rough triggerfish Canthidermis 

maculata 4.41 Pounds ^ – **

Sailfish Istiophorus 

platypterus 346.13 Pounds 7,420.00 Pounds 0.04

Salmon shark Lamna ditropis 1,227.98 Pounds ^ – **

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus 

plumbeus 4,307.83 Pounds ^ – **

Scalloped 

hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini 773.82 Pounds ^ – **

Scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus 35.27 Pounds ^ – **

Shark (other)* Elasmobranchii 130.07 Pounds – – **

Shark (unidentified) Chondrichthyes 51,085.45 Pounds ^ – **

Sharptail mola Masturus 

lanceolatus 6,217.03 Pounds ^ – **

Shortbill spearfish Tetrapturus 

angustirostris 39,385.54 Pounds 467,748.00 Pounds 0.08

Shortfin mako shark h Isurus oxyrinchus 188,140.07 Pounds see footnote **

Shortnose lancetfish Alepisaurus 

brevirostris 0.00 Pounds ^ – **

Sickle pomfret g Taractichthys 

steindachneri 5,163.22 Pounds see footnote **

Silky shark Carcharhinus 

falciformis 38,534.55 Pounds ^ – **

Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis 81,368.11 Pounds 964,402.00 Pounds 0.08

Slender mola Ranzania laevis 34,568.44 Pounds ^ – **

Table 4.6.B (continued)

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TOTAL STOCK 

BYCATCHa

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCHb SPECIES LANDINGSc

SPECIES 

BYCATCH 

RATIOd

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT AMOUNT UNIT

2005 

LANDINGS UNIT RATIO

Smooth 

hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena

See species 

column

3,384.09 Pounds ^ – **

Snake mackerel Gempylus serpens 157,024.06 Pounds ^ – **

Striped marlin Tetrapturus audax 44,976.45 Pounds 1,218,030.00 Pounds 0.04

Swordfish Xiphias gladius 100,519.65 Pounds 3,445,598.00 Pounds 0.03

Tapertail ribbonfish Trachipterus 

fukuzakii 2,546.34 Pounds ^ – **

Thresher shark e Alopias vulpinus 0.0 Pounds see footnote – **

Thresher sharks e Alopiidae 1029.56 Pounds see footnote – **

Thresher sharks 

(unidentified) e Alopiidae 57,203.28 Pounds see footnote – **

Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvieri 9,887.72 Pounds ^ – **

Triggerfish 

(unidentified)* Balistidae 0.00 Pounds – – **

Tunas Scombridae 21,495.05 Pounds **

Velvet dogfish Scymnodon 

squamulosus 844.37 Pounds ^ – **

Wahoo Acanthocybium 

solandri 13,359.99 Pounds 817,249.00 Pounds 0.02

White shark Carcharodon 

carcharias 92.59 Pounds ± – **

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares 86,901.71 Pounds 3,208,468.00 Pounds 0.03

Yellowtail jack Seriola lalandi 0.00 Pounds **

a Bycatch is listed in the species column, as there were no species with bycatch of more than one substock.

b Landed weights are for catch sold only.

c Species marked ^ were not landed or rarely landed; these may be kept and consumed. Species marked ± are federally prohibited to land. d A double asterisk (**) indicates that bycatch ratios could not be developed, where bycatch estimates were provided in both numbers of individuals and in pounds, 

or where landings were not available. 

e Pacific Region landings were not reported by thresher shark species, but were reported for thresher sharks in general. Landings for the year 2005 for the thresher 

shark family (Alopiidae) were 63,314 pounds, but could not be used to develop a bycatch ratio for thresher shark species, as the exact composition of the landings 

reported for Alopiidae is unknown. 

f Landings for all sharks (primarily blue sharks) for the year 2005 were 8,314 pounds, but could not be used to develop a bycatch ratio for shark species, as the exact 

composition of the landings reported for sharks in general is unknown. Blue sharks are the only other major landed shark species other than thresher and mako 

sharks, which are listed separately (below), and comprise the majority of the landings for sharks. 

g Pacific Region landings were not reported by pomfret species, but were reported for pomfret in general. Landings for the year 2005 for the pomfret family (Bramidae) were 646,000 pounds, but cannot be used to develop a bycatch ratio for pomfret species, as the exact composition of the landings reported for Bramidae is 

unknown.

h Pacific Region landings were not reported by mako shark species, but were reported for mako sharks in general. Landings for the year 2005 for the mako shark 

genus (Isurus) were 203,827 pounds, but could not be used to develop a bycatch ratio for mako shark species, as the exact composition of the landings reported 

for Isurus spp. is unknown.

Table 4.6.B (continued)

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Subtable 4.6.C.1

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Beaked whale (unidentified) Ziphiidae 2002–06 0 Individuals

Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris 2002–06 0.41 Individuals 2.02

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2002–06 0.93 Individuals

Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni 2002–06 0 Individuals

Cetacean (unidentified) Cetacea 2002–06 1.21 Individuals 1.14

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 2002–06 5.74 Individuals 0.64

False killer or short-finned pilot 

whale (unidentified) Delphinidae 2002–06 3.47 Individuals 0.62

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 2002–06 0 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus 2002–06 0 Individuals

Short-beaked common dolphin 

(unidentified) Delphinus delphis 2002–06 0 Individuals

Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 2002–06 0.94 Individuals

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus 2002–06 0 Individuals

Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris 2002–06 0 Individuals

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 2002–06 1.22 Individuals

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata 2002–06 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 13.92 Individuals

Table 4.6.C 

Subtables showing estimates of marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury for 

Pacific Islands fisheries within the Hawaiian Islands EEZ. All bycatch estimates are in numbers of individuals and are an average for the years indicated. Key stocks/populations are 

shaded. 

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Subtable 4.6.C.2

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (SWORDFISH) 

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Beaked whale 

(unidentified) Ziphiidae 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Cetacean (unidentified) Cetacea 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

False killer or short-finned 

Pilot whale (unidentified) Delphinidae 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Short-beaked common 

dolphin (unidentified) Delphinus delphis 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata 2002–06 0 Individuals 0

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 0 Individuals

Table 4.6.C (continued)

rom 

of the 

end) 

his 

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Subtable 4.6.C.3 (Summary) TOTAL SPECIES BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT

Beaked whale 

(unidentified) Ziphiidae 0 Individuals

Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris 0.41 Individuals

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus 0.93 Individuals

Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni 0 Individuals

Cetacean (unidentified) Cetacea 1.21 Individuals

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 5.74 Individuals

False killer or short-finned 

pilot whale (unidentified) Delphinidae 3.47 Individuals

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 0 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus 0 Individuals

Short-beaked common 

dolphin (unidentified) Delphinus delphis 0 Individuals

Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 0.94 Individuals

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus 0 Individuals

Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris 0 Individuals

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 1.22 Individuals

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 13.92 Individuals

Table 4.6.C (continued)

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Subtable 4.6.D.1

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Beaked whale (unidentified) Ziphiidae 2002–06 0.76 Individuals 1.09

Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris 2002–06 0.50 Individuals 1.06

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2002–06 0 Individuals

Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni 2002–06 0 Individuals

Cetacean (unidentified) Cetacea 2002–06 0 Individuals

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 2002–06 7.62 Individuals 0.43

False killer or short-finned pilot 

whale (unidentified) Delphinidae 2002–06 0 Individuals

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 2002–06 0 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus 2002–06 1.13 Individuals 0.74

Short-beaked common dolphin 

(unidentified) Delphinus delphis 2002–06 0 Individuals

Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 2002–06 1.30 Individuals

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus 2002–06 0 Individuals

Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris 2002–06 0 Individuals

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 2002–06 0 Individuals

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata 2002–06 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 11.31 Individuals

Table 4.6.D

Subtables showing estimates of marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury for 

Pacific Islands fisheries outside the US EEZ. All bycatch estimates are in numbers of individuals and are an average for the years indicated. Key stocks/populations are shaded. 

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Subtable 4.6.D.2

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY (SWORDFISH)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DATA SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Beaked whale (unidentified) Ziphiidae 2002–06 0 Individuals

Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris 2002–06 0 Individuals

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus 2002–06 0.2 Individuals

Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni 2002–06 0 Individuals

Cetacean (unidentified) Cetacea 2002–06 0 Individuals

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 2002–06 0 Individuals

False killer or short-finned pilot 

whale (unidentified) Delphinidae 2002–06 0 Individuals

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 2002–06 0.2 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus 2002–06 0.6 Individuals

Short-beaked common dolphin 

(unidentified) Delphinus delphis 2002–06 0 Individuals

Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 2002–06 0 Individuals

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus 2002–06 0 Individuals

Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris 2002–06 0 Individuals

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 2002–06 0 Individuals

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata 2002–06 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 1.0 Individuals

Table 4.6.D (continued)

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Subtable 4.6.D.3 (Summary) Total Species Bycatch

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT

Beaked whale (unidentified) Ziphiidae 0.76 Individuals

Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris 0.50 Individuals

Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus 0.20 Individuals

Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni 0 Individuals

Cetacean (unidentified) Cetacea 0 Individuals

False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens 7.62 Individuals

False killer or short-finned pilot 

whale (unidentified) Delphinidae 0 Individuals

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae 0.20 Individuals

Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus 1.73 Individuals

Short-beaked common dolphin 

(unidentified) Delphinus delphis 0 Individuals

Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala 

macrorhynchus 1.3 Individuals

Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus 0 Individuals

Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris 0 Individuals

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba 0 Individuals

Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata 0 Individuals

TOTAL FISHERY BYCATCH 12.31 Individuals

Table 4.6.D (continued)

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PACIFIC ISLAND REGION

Subtable 4.6.E.1

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET PELAGIC 

LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET PELAGIC 

LONGLINE FISHERY (SWORDFISH)

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT CV

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 2005 0 Individuals 2005 0 Individuals

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys 

coriacea 2005 4 Individuals 2005 8 Individuals

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 2005 0 Individuals 2005 10 Individuals

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys 

olivacea 2005 16 Individuals 2005 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 20 Individuals 18 Individuals

Subtable 4.6.E.2 (Summary)

Total Species

Bycatch

COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC 

NAME

AVERAGE 

AMOUNT UNIT

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas 0 Individuals

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys 

coriacea 12 Individuals

Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta 10 Individuals

Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys 

olivacea 16 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 38 Individuals

Table 4.6.E

Subtables showing estimates of sea turtle bycatch (mortalities and 

individuals released alive) in Pacific Islands Region fisheries, in 

numbers of individuals. Key populations are shaded.

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Subtable 4.6.F.1

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET PELAGIC 

LONGLINE FISHERY (TUNA)

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET 

PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY 

(SWORDFISH)

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

DATA 

SOURCE AMOUNT UNIT CV

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes 2005 82 Individuals 2005 7 Individuals 0

Brown booby Sula leucogaster 2005 3 Individuals 2005 0 Individuals 0

Laysan albatross Phoebastria immutabilis 2005 43 Individuals 2005 62 Individuals 0

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus 2005 0 Individuals 2005 0 Individuals 0

TOTAL BYCATCH 128 Individuals 69 Individuals

Subtable 4.6.F.2 (Summary)

TOTAL SPECIES 

BYCATCH

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME AMOUNT UNIT

Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes 89 Individuals

Brown booby Sula leucogaster 3 Individuals

Laysan albatross Phoebastria immutabilis 105 Individuals

Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus 0 Individuals

TOTAL BYCATCH 197 Individuals

Table 4.6.F 

Subtables showing estimates of seabird bycatch in Pacific Islands Region fisheries, in numbers 

of individuals. Bycatch estimates reflect the average of the years identified. Key populations 

are highlighted.

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

SECTION 5

National Overview

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Photo on previous page: a sea turtle swims 

towards a pound net. Credit: NMFS NEFSC.

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

SECTION 5 National Overview

5.1 Introduction

A total of 274 U.S. commercial fisheries are identified in 

the U.S. National Bycatch Report (Table 5.1). Of these, 152 

are federally managed fisheries or fisheries with a relevant 

Federal data-collection component and form the basis of 

the analyses contained herein. These fisheries were evaluated for the quality of bycatch data-collection and estimation 

methods through a scoring system, and assigned to ranked 

tiers. Specific bycatch estimates were also provided by fishery and species where they were available. The remaining 122 fisheries identified in this report are managed by 

international, tribal, or state fishery management agencies. 

These fisheries were not evaluated through the tier scoring 

system and bycatch estimates were not calculated.

The bycatch information included in this report is very comprehensive and covers, either partially or entirely, a total 

of 11 LMEs.1 These ecosystems and the fisheries they 

support vary among regions, with some fisheries crossing 

LME. Bycatch monitoring requirements are included in regional FMPs (Table 5.2), Take Reduction Plans (Table 5.3), 

and Biological Opinions (Table 5.3). The NMFS also collaborates with state fishery management agencies, interstate 

marine fisheries commissions, fishery management coun1 http://www.lme.noaa.gov/

Region

Commercial 

fisheries

Fisheries under Federal 

management authority and/or with 

relevant Federal data collection

Fisheries under 

other management 

authority onlya

Northeast 63 52b 11

Southeast 48 26 22

Alaska 77 35c 42

Northwest 30 10d 20

Southwest 25 11 14

Pacific Islands 31 18 13

Total 274 152 122

a Other management authorities include state, international, and tribal fisheries organizations with no Federal data-collection component. b Sixteen fisheries are grouped in the Northeast for purposes of protected species bycatch estimation. c Five Alaska state fisheries are observed for protected resource interactions under the AMMOP. An additional six Alaska fisheries are grouped for purposes of 

protected species bycatch estimation.

d Two state fisheries with a Federal data-collection component (the Oregon pink shrimp and Oregon spot prawn fisheries) were not evaluated for this report.

cils, and other organizations involved in bycatch monitoring 

and reduction activities. Several of the fisheries in this report are managed by international organizations, including 

ICCAT, IPHC, IATTC, and WCPMC. 

Table 5.1 

U.S. commercial fisheries included in the U.S. 

National Bycatch Report, by NMFS region (data 

from the year 2005).

A finetooth shark.

Credit: NMFS, SEFSC

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Region

Large marine 

ecosystem

Fishery 

management council Fishery management plans

Northeast

Northeast U.S. 

Continental 

Shelf

New England Fishery 

Management Council

Atlantic Herring FMP

Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP

Deep Sea Red Crab FMP

Northeast Multispecies FMP

Northeast Skate Complex FMP

Atlantic Salmon FMP

Monkfish FMP

Mid-Atlantic Fishery 

Management Council

Bluefish FMP

Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP

Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP

Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP

Tilefish FMP

Spiny Dogfish FMP

Southeast

Southeast U.S. 

Continental 

Shelf, Gulf of 

Mexico, and

Caribbean

Mid-Atlantic Fishery 

Management Council Regulations in several FMPs apply to North Carolina EEZ waters

South Atlantic Fishery 

Management Council

Atlantic Coast Red Drum FMPa

Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic FMP

Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic FMP

Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region FMP

Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region FMP

Snapper–Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region FMP

Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region FMP

Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region FMP

Gulf of Mexico Fishery 

Management Council

Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico FMP

Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP

Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP

Red Drum Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico FMP

Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico FMP

Joint South Atlantic 

and Gulf Fishery 

Management Councils

Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources FMP

Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic FMP

Caribbean Fishery 

Management Council

Shallow Water Reef Fish Fishery FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Spiny Lobster Fishery FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP

Queen Conch Resources FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Table 5.2

Fishery management plans and the fishery management councils that supervise them, by NMFS region and ecosystem (LME). 

FMPs managed jointly are listed under the lead Council. 

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Region

Large marine 

ecosystem

Fishery 

management council Fishery management plans

Alaska

Aleutian 

Islands, 

Eastern Bering 

Sea,

Western 

Bering Sea,

Gulf of Alaska,

Chukchi Sea,

Beaufort Sea

North Pacific Fishery 

Management Council

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Management Area FMP

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) FMP

BSAI King and Tanner Crab FMP

Scallop Fishery off Alaska FMP

Salmon FMP in the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska

Northwest California 

Coastal 

Current

Pacific Fishery 

Management Council

Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP

Pacific Coast Salmon FMP

Southwest

Coastal Pelagics Species FMP

U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species FMP

Pacific 

Islands

Insular-Pacific 

Hawaiian

Western Pacific Fishery 

Management Council

Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP

Crustacean Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP

Precious Coral Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP

WPFMC Coral Reef Ecosystem of the Western Pacific Region FMP

Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP

 a Management of red drum was transferred to the ASMFC in 2008.

Table 5.2 (continued)

A great frigate bird from the Hawaiian Islands.

Credit: NOAA

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Region

Take reduction 

plans (TRPs) Biological opinions (BiOps )

Northeast

Harbor Porpoise 

TRP Authorization of Fisheries under the Federal Lobster Regulations (2001)

Atlantic Large 

Whale TRP Federal Lobster Management in the EEZ for Implementation of Historic Participation (2002)

Cetacean 

Bycatch in Trawl 

Fisheries (TRT 

convened in 

2006)

Federal Atlantic Herring FMP

Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP

Atlantic Bluefish FMP

Authorization of Fisheries under the Spiny Dogfish FMP

Authorization of Fisheries under the Monkfish FMP

Authorization of Fisheries under the Multispecies FMP

Sea Turtle Conservation Measures for the Pound Net Fishery in Virginia Waters of the Chesapeake Bay

Implementation of the Deep-Sea Red Crab FMP

Authorization of Fisheries under the Skate FMP

FMP for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Atlantic Butterfish Fishery and Amendment 8 to the FMP

Authorization of Fisheries under the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP

NMFS’ Approval of the Tilefish FMP

Southeast

Bottlenose 

Dolphin TRP Atlantic Pelagic Longline BiOp 2004

Pelagic 

Longline TRP Caribbean Fisheries BiOp

Coastal Migratory Pelagics (Mackerel) fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions — 2007 BiOp 

Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery — 2005 BiOpa

Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Spiny Lobster Fishery — 2009 BiOp

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery and its Effects on Smalltooth Sawfish — 2006 BiOp

Gulf of Mexico Stone Crab Fishery — 2009 BiOp

Shrimp Fisheries of the Southeastern United States — 2002 BiOp

South Atlantic FMP for Dolphin and Wahoo — 2003 BiOp

South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery — 2006 BiOp

South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery and its Effects on Smalltooth Sawfish — 2005 BiOp

Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline / Large Coastal and Coastal Shark Aggregate 

Fisheries — 2008 BiOp

Alaska None

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Management Area FMP

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) FMP BiOp (Seabirds)

Table 5.3

Take Reduction Plans required under the MMPA and Biological Opinions 

required under the ESA, which may include mandatory and/or voluntary 

measures for reducing bycatch of marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Region

Take reduction 

plans (TRPs) Biological opinions (BiOps )

Northwest None None currently in place

Southwest Pacific Offshore 

Cetacean TRP None currently in place

Pacific 

Islands

None Bottomfish Fishery BiOp

Deep-Set Tuna and Shallow-Set Swordfish Fishery BiOps (one per fishery for sea turtles and marine mammals)

USFW BiOp for short-tailed albatross

a The 2005 Reef Fish Biological Opinion was superseded by a new Biological Opinion in 2009.

Table 5.3 (continued)

5.2 Bycatch Data-Collection Sources 

and Estimation Methods

Monitoring of bycatch is an essential component of effective 

management of fisheries. The data sources identified in this 

report vary among regions as well as among fisheries primarily due to differences in data-collection program goals, 

objectives, and priorities, but the differing data sources 

are also related to the diversity of U.S. commercial fisheries and variation in fishing practices. Multiple data sources 

were available for some of these fisheries. The primary data 

sources used to calculate estimates of bycatch were observer data (110 fisheries) and self-reported logbooks (80 

fisheries; Table 5.4). Total landings by fishery were provided 

by each NMFS region for consistency with other published 

reports. However, aggregate landings at the species level 

were obtained from the NMFS centralized landings database.2

Observer programs are conducted in all six NMFS regions, 

and observer data were available for 110 U.S. commercial 

fisheries (72% of the 152 fisheries in this report). Coverage 

levels vary among fisheries due to factors such as program 

objectives, availability of funds, fishery characteristics, and 

uncontrollable factors such as weather conditions and unsafe vessels (e.g. vessels that have safety decal, but are 

determined to be unsafe for operational purposes). While 

specifics on individual observer programs are described in 

the regional sections of Section 4, the data collected by all 

regional observer programs were the main source of information used to estimate bycatch in this report.

Logbook data were used in bycatch estimation for 80 of 

the U.S. commercial fisheries discussed in this report. Logbook data were used to estimate bycatch in the absence of 

observer data, or were used as supplemental data. Since 

logbook data are self-reported, external verification is necessary to validate the information. This typically involves 

2 http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/commercial/index.html

comparison of self-reported bycatch data to bycatch data 

directly observed in an observer program, and is possible 

only if an observer program has been implemented for the 

same fishery. In the absence of verification, logbook underreporting is a potential source of bias and error when estimating bycatch.

Other supplemental data were provided through dealer and 

landings reports, production reports, and stranding/entanglement data. The data provided by these programs were 

not used to calculate bycatch alone, but were used as ancillary information in developing extrapolation factors to estimate overall bycatch when data from only partial (less than 

100%) observer coverage were available. Data collected 

through dealer or landing reports were available for 61 fisheries included in this report. Data collected through production reports were available for 25 Alaskan fisheries. Stranding and entanglement data recorded under the MMPA were 

used to assess relative levels of bycatch only when more 

reliable data sources were not available, a report was considered reliable, and the report clearly described a mortality 

or serious injury that was likely to lead to mortality of the entangled animal. These data sources were used to generate 

bycatch estimates for some protected resources reported 

(e.g., in the Alaska and Northeast regions). 

As might be expected, bycatch estimation approaches varied widely among regions and, in many instances, within 

regions, where fishery-specific differences in data availability and data quality occur. However, all regional estimation methods were evaluated during an internal NMFS 

workshop and found to be appropriate for estimating bycatch. Readers are encouraged to review comprehensive 

information on regional bycatch estimation methods presented in Section 4. Further work is needed to develop 

best practice approaches to bycatch estimation; this can 

be addressed through national workshops or external peer 

review processes.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Region /

# fisheriesa

Fisheries 

observedb

Observed days 

at seac

Fisheries with 

production reports / 

dealer reports d

Fisheries with 

logbooks /

vessel trip reports /

catch reports / trip 

ticketse

Fisheries with 

production reports

Northeast / 63 47 11,381 27 42

Southeast / 48 12 2,657 9

Alaska / 77 27 35,683 27 25

Northwest / 30 11 6,184 9

Southwest / 25 10f 499 10

Pacific Islands / 31 3 7,099 7 10

Total / 274 110 67,030 61 80 25

a Numbers of U.S. commercial fisheries included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. b Maximum number of fisheries observed, 2005 to present.

c Numbers of observed sea days are for calendar year 2005; totals for days at sea only, does not include observations of 663 permit samples. d Production and Dealer (landing) reports are submitted by either dealers or processors upon landing of catch.

e Logbooks, vessel trip reports, catch reports, and fish tickets are all names for similar reports submitted by fishermen. f One fishery listed as observed for the Southwest Region is a recreational fishery, and bycatch estimates are not included in the U.S. National Bycatch Report 

for this fishery. 

5.3 Evaluation of Bycatch Data 

and Bycatch Estimation Methods

A standardized set of criteria was used to evaluate data 

quality and bycatch estimation methods for the subset of 

152 fisheries included in this report. Tier scores were assigned to each fishery using the tier scoring procedures 

outlined in Section 3 for fish, marine mammals, and other 

protected species. Fisheries with lower overall scores were 

assigned to a low tier (e.g., Tier 0, Tier 1) and fisheries with 

a high overall score were assigned to higher tiers (Tier 3, 

Tier 4). It is important to note that tier scores are based on 

2005 information and many fisheries may have made improvements since then. 

Tier Descriptions:

•	 For Tier 4 fisheries, bycatch estimates were available 

and were based on the highest-quality data and analytical methods.

Table 5.4 

Data sources used to develop 2005 estimates, by region and fishery. A blank means the 

data source was not used in developing bycatch estimates, not that the data source does 

not exist in the region.

•	 For Tier 3 fisheries, bycatch estimates were also generally available but higher quality data (i.e., data that are 

more reliable, accurate, and/or precise than those used 

in lower tiers) were utilized to compute these estimates. 

•	 For Tier 2 fisheries, bycatch estimates were generally 

available. However, these estimates would have benefited from improvements in data quality and/or analytical 

methods (such as improved sampling designs, increased 

coverage levels, and peer review of methods). Where bycatch estimates were not available, methods are being 

developed.

•	 For Tier 1 fisheries, bycatch data were available but were 

generally unreliable (e.g., from unverified or potentially 

biased sources). In some cases, higher quality data were 

available but analytical methods had not been implemented. 

•	 For Tier 0 fisheries, bycatch data-collection programs or 

estimation methods did not exist and, therefore, bycatch 

estimates were not available. 

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Estimates for all three types of bycatch (fish, marine mammals, and other protected species) were not available for all 

fisheries; therefore, the total number of fisheries evaluated 

varied by bycatch type. In addition, the total numbers of 

fisheries shown as evaluated for fish and for protected species differ due to the grouping of some fisheries. Further, 

only protected species data are collected in some fisheries, 

for example those observed by the AMMOP. A total of 142 

fisheries were evaluated for fish bycatch data quality and 

estimation, while 129 were evaluated for data quality and 

estimation of marine mammal bycatch, with the same number evaluated for other protected species. 

The majority of fisheries (42% of the 400 tier classifications 

assigned) were classified in Tier 3, while 15% fell into Tier 2, 

and 16% into Tier 1. Only 4% were classified in Tier 4. Bycatch data-collection programs and/or estimation methods 

did not exist for 24% of the fisheries evaluated and these 

were therefore classified as Tier 0 (Figure 5.1).

Results of the tier classification reveal some variation 

among the quality of data and estimation methods for different bycatch types (Figure 5.2). For fish bycatch, only 13% 

of the fisheries were classified in Tier 0, while 41% were 

classified in Tiers 1 and 2, and 46% in Tiers 3 and 4. For 

Figure 5.1 

Distribution of the 400 separate tier scores assigned to fisheries 

for the year 2005 for fish (142), marine mammal (129), and other 

protected species (129) bycatch.

marine mammals and other protected species, 30% of the 

fisheries were classified in Tier 0, while approximately 25% 

were classified in Tiers 1 and 2, and 45% in Tiers 3 and 4. 

This suggests that there is less data collection specifically 

targeted to bycatch of marine mammals and other protected 

species than to bycatch of fish (more than double the percentage of fisheries were Tier 0 for marine mammals and 

other protected species). However, of the fisheries where 

data were available (i.e., around 45% of fisheries in Tiers 3 

and 4), the quality of the bycatch data and estimates was 

similar for fish species and for marine mammals and other 

protected resources.

The tier scoring system can be used as a national performance measure to monitor changes in the quality of bycatch 

data collection and estimation. It also provides a measure 

of the relative quality of bycatch estimates within and between regions, bycatch categories, stocks, and fisheries. 

As improvements are made to bycatch data collection, and 

new methods for estimating bycatch are developed and 

implemented, the tier scores of individual fisheries are also 

expected to increase.

This first edition of the U.S. National Bycatch Report includes bycatch estimates for federally managed commern = 400

Tier 0

24% (96)

Tier 2

15% (59)

Tier 4

4% (15)

Tier 1

16% (62)

Tier 3

42% (168)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Figure 5.2

Distribution of tier scores assigned to fisheries for the 

year 2005 for bycatch of A) fish, B) marine mammals, 

and C) other protected species.

cial fisheries and fisheries with a relevant Federal datacollection component. Bycatch data are also available for 

some state, tribal, and international commercial fisheries. 

In future editions of this report, the tier classification system 

should be applied to additional commercial fisheries. In addition, because some stocks have higher bycatch mortality attributable to recreational fisheries than to commercial 

fisheries, consideration should be given to including recreational fisheries. Coordination will be required with state, 

tribal, and international organizations to ensure accuracy 

and consistency in this information.

5.4 Identification of Key Stocks

Key stocks were identified based on the level of bycatch, 

management importance, and stock status. A total of 396 

key stocks were so identified nationwide. Of the 396 key 

stocks, the majority (68%) were fish stocks. Forty-six percent of key fish stocks were FSSI stocks, which reflects the 

importance of these stocks to management. All ESA-listed 

stocks were classified as key stocks, including all sea turtle 

populations. Stocks occurring in multiple regions were listed 

as key in every region where bycatch was a concern. 

The total number of key stocks varied by region, with the 

Southwest Region identifying the highest number, 121 

stocks (31% of the national total). The high number of key 

stocks identified in the Southwest Region was mainly due 

to the lack of bycatch estimates for fish species. Because 

no fish bycatch estimates were available in the region, all 

stocks of management importance were placed on list of 

key stocks as a precautionary measure. Bycatch estimation 

methods are currently being developed for this region and 

estimates will be included in future editons of this report. 

The list of key stocks, which includes a significant number 

of stocks from each region and bycatch type, will be used 

as a performance measure to monitor bycatch trends over 

time. Bycatch estimation methods are currently being developed in some regions to expand the regions’ ability to 

calculate bycatch estimates for key stocks. As these bycatch estimates become available they should be included 

in future editions of the report, which will allow for the evaluation of trends in bycatch for more key stocks.

A. Fish

n = 142

Tier 0

13% (18)

Tier 1

23% (33)

Tier 2

18% (25)

Tier 4

3% (5)

Tier 3

43% (61)

B. Marine Mammals

n = 129

Tier 0

30% (39)

Tier 1

12% (15)

Tier 2

13% (17)

Tier 3

40% (52)

Tier 4

5% (6)

C. Other Protected Species

n = 129

Tier 0

30% (39)

Tier 1

11% (14)

Tier 2

13% (17)

Tier 3

43% (55)

Tier 4

3% (4)

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5.5 Fishery Bycatch

Bycatch estimates were not available for all commercial 

fisheries included in this report, even though data may 

exist. Fishery bycatch ratios (bycatch ratio = bycatch/

(bycatch+landings) were calculated for each fishery where 

fish bycatch estimates and total fish catch data were available. These ratios can be used as relative measures of the 

total bycatch occurring in each fishery. Fishery bycatch ratios could be calculated for only a subset of the fisheries 

where bycatch estimates were calculated (63 fisheries, or 

41.5%). For the remaining 7 fisheries, it was not possible 

to calculate fishery bycatch ratios for various reasons. For 

example, in some Southeast Region fisheries, fish bycatch 

estimates were available only in numbers, but total catch 

was reported by weight. 

Bycatch estimation methods are currently being developed 

in some regions to allow calculation of bycatch estimates 

for additional fisheries. As additional bycatch estimates become available they should be included in future editons of 

this report to provide a more comprehensive and accurate 

estimate of total bycatch mortality.

Fishery bycatch ratios ranged from zero to 0.76, and varied 

by region (Figure 5.3 – 5.7). Fishery bycatch estimates, and 

therefore bycatch ratios, were not calculated for Southwest 

Region fisheries since fish bycatch estimation methods 

were not available during the time when this report was developed. The Pacific Islands Region calculated fish bycatch 

estimates for only two fisheries. 

Fisheries with a bycatch ratio of greater than 0.17 were 

classified as “fisheries of focus,” indicating a potential bycatch concern (Figure 5.3–5.7).3 Fisheries with potential 

bycatch concerns were also evaluated through a qualitative 

process, as described in Section 3. In general, the fisheries with the highest bycatch ratios were trawl and bottom 

longline fisheries 

3 The process of selecting this cutoff is described in Section 3. This number 

represents the median of available fishery bycatch ratios.

Credit: NMFS NWFSC

Catch of Pacific hake.

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5.5.1 Northeast Region Fishery Bycatch

Bycatch estimates were provided for 25 Northeast Region 

commercial fisheries, ranging from 51,000 lb in the New 

England handline fishery to over 20 M lb in the New England and Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fisheries. Bycatch ratios 

ranged from 0.02 to 0.44; they were lowest in the New England and Mid-Atlantic mid-water otter trawl fisheries (0.02 

and 0.03, respectively; Figure 5.3), even though the fish 

bycatch weight estimates for these fisheries are 1.7 and 4.1 

M lb, respectively. Bycatch ratios were also low for the New 

England shrimp trawl (0.04), the New England purse seine 

(0.05), the New England handline (0.08), and the New England haddock sector longline (0.11) fisheries. 

Bycatch levels and ratios for the scallop dredge fisheries 

were variable but generally below 0.17. Bycatch levels for 

the three regional gillnet fisheries range between 1.4 M and 

4.7 M lb, with bycatch ratios of 0.17 to 0.32. The highest 

levels of bycatch were in the New England and Mid-Atlantic 

otter trawl fisheries (small- and large-mesh). Bycatch estimates for these four fisheries ranged from 11.8 to 20.9 M lb, 

with bycatch ratios between 0.23 and 0.32. 

In addition to the above-mentioned fisheries, two fisheries in 

this region were associated with special-access programs 

(SAPs) during the time period the data were collected: the 

New England U.S./Canada Management Area large-mesh 

otter trawl fishery, and the New England B-day DAS largeFigure 5.3 

Fishery bycatch ratios for Northeast Region fisheries (2005 data).

Mid-Atl. mid-water otter trawl

New Engl. mid-water otter trawl

New Engl. shrimp trawl

New Engl. purse seine

New Engl. lim. access clsd. area scallop dredge

New Engl. hand line

New Engl. general cat. open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atl. lim. access open area scallop dredge

New Engl. lim. access open area scallop dredge

Mid-Atl. general cat. open area scallop dredge

New Engl. haddock sector longline

Mid-Atl. lim. access clsd. area scallop dredge

New Engl. gen. cat. closed area scallop dredge

Mid-Atl. gen. cat. scallop trawl

New Engl. extra-large-mesh gillnet

Mid-Atl. extra-large-mesh gillnet

New Engl. bottom longline

Mid-Atl. small-mesh otter trawl

Mid-Atl. large-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. large-mesh gillnet

New Engl. large-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. small-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. US/CAN area small-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. US/CAN area large-mesh otter trawl

New Engl. B-Reg DAS large-mesh otter trawl

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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mesh otter trawl fishery. The number of days vessels could 

use to harvest groundfish under the New England Fisheries Management Council’s Northeast Multispecies FMP 

was limited; in 2005, about 60% of the days were used at 

the owner’s discretion under the FMP. These were called 

“A days.” The remaining 40%, called B days, were evenly 

divided between two “B” categories: B Regular and B Reserve days-at-sea. These could only be used to target the 

six groundfish stocks that could sustain additional effort, in 

ways that did not undermine longer-term rebuilding efforts 

for other stocks in the fishery. Bycatch ratios for these fisheries were relatively high (0.40 to 0.44). Due to the difficulties of identifying trips participating in these fisheries, total 

bycatch, total landings, and the resultant bycatch ratios 

should be viewed with caution. Readers are encouraged to 

refer to Wigley et al. (2008) for further information. 

5.5.2 Southeast Region Fishery Bycatch

Fish bycatch estimates were provided for nine Southeast 

Region commercial fisheries. However, the Gulf of Mexico 

shrimp trawl fishery and the Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico HMS pelagic longline fishery were the only two 

fisheries for which both bycatch and landings information 

were available in weight. Therefore, bycatch ratios were 

calculated for only these two fisheries (Figure 5.4). The byFigure 5.4 

Fishery bycatch ratios for Southeast Region fisheries (2005 

data). Bycatch ratios were not possible for many Southeast Region fisheries where landings were in pounds but bycatch was 

estimated in number of individuals. GOM = Gulf of Mexico. 

Gag grouper.

Credit: NMFS SWFSC, Brandi Noble Collection

Atlantic and GOM 

HMS pelagic longline

GOM shrimp trawl

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

catch estimate for the HMS pelagic longline fishery was 1.7 

M lb and landings were about 5.6 M lb, resulting in a bycatch 

ratio of 0.23. Bycatch was estimated for the offshore portion 

of the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery at 681 M lbs. Landings 

for the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery were 213 M lbs. 

The resulting bycatch ratio for the fishery is 0.76. 

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5.5.3 Alaska Region Fishery Bycatch

Bycatch estimates were provided for 27 Alaska Region commercial fisheries (Figure 5.5). Fourteen of these fisheries 

were BSAI fisheries and 13 occurred in the GOA. The principal BSAI fisheries were prosecuted with pelagic and nonpelagic (demersal) trawl longline and with pots, with one 

small jig fishery. Fish bycatch estimates and overall landings were very low for the jig fishery (BSAI Pacific cod), with 

catch estimated at 375 K lb (bycatch ratio of zero). For the 

remaining BSAI fisheries, bycatch ratios ranged between 

0.01 and 0.57. The lowest bycatch ratio was documented 

for the BSAI pelagic trawl fishery for walleye pollock (0.01). 

This is a very large fishery, with landings in excess of 3.2 B 

lb and an estimated bycatch of 27 M lb. Bycatch ratios for 

the two BSAI pot fisheries (sablefish and Pacific cod) were 

relatively low: 0.10 and 0.05, respectively, with total bycatch 

estimates of 232 K lb and 2.3 M lb, respectively. The Atka 

mackerel trawl fishery bycatch ratio was also relatively low: 

0.16, representing a bycatch estimate of 18.5 M lb. Longline 

and non-pelagic (or demersal) trawl fisheries generally produced larger bycatch ratio estimates (0.14–0.42). The BSAI 

longline fisheries for Greenland turbot, Pacific cod, and sablefish produced bycatch ratios of 0.38 (2.3 M lb bycatch), 

0.16 (50.9 M lb. bycatch), and 0.42 (1.33 M lb bycatch), 

respectively. Several non-pelagic trawl fisheries produced 

bycatch ratios greater than 0.25, including several flatfish 

fisheries with bycatch estimates of 25–68 M lb, and a Pacific cod fishery with a bycatch estimate 54 M lb. 

Figure 5.5 

Fishery bycatch ratios for Alaska Region fisheries (2005 data). Note that the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands flatfish group (arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, and 

other flatfish) trawl fishery has been abbreviated as “BSAI flatfish group trawl.”

BSAI Pacific cod jig

GOA Pacific cod jig

GOA sablefish trawl

GOA deepwater flatfish trawl

BSAI Pollock Trawl

GOA pollock trawl

BSAI Pacific cod pot

GOA Pacific cod pot

BSAI Pacific ocean perch (trawl)

BSAI sablefish pot

GOA Pacific cod trawl

GOA rockfish trawl

BSAI sablefish trawl

AIeutians, E. Bering Sea Atka mackerel trawl

BSAI Pacific cod longline

GOA Pacific cod longline

GOA sablefish longline

GOA arrowtooth flounder trawl

BSAI yellowfin sole trawl

BSAI Pacific cod trawl

BSAI rock sole trawl

BSAI flatfish group trawl

GOA flatfish (shallow water flatfish) trawl

BSAI Greenland turbot longline

BSAI sablefish longline

GOA rex sole trawl

GOA flathead sole trawl

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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Trends in bycatch ratios for the GOA were similar to those 

observed in the BSAI, although the total volume of fish 

landed was generally much lower. The bycatch ratio for the 

GOA Pacific cod jig fishery was less than 0.001, representing less than 1,000 lb of bycatch for cod landings in excess 

of 7 M lb. The GOA Pacific cod fishery bycatch ratio was 

0.06, equivalent to a bycatch estimate of 3.0 M lb for total cod landings of 52 M lb. Longline fishery bycatch ratios 

were 0.18 and 0.24 for the Pacific cod (bycatch estimate 

4.7 M lb) and sablefish (bycatch estimate of 10 M lb) fisheries, respectively. The estimated bycatch ratio for the GOA 

pelagic trawl fishery was 0.04, with estimated bycatch of 5.5 

M lb for pollock landings of 143.7M lb. For the non-pelagic 

trawl fisheries, bycatch ratios ranged between <0.001 for 

the very low-volume sablefish trawl fishery, to 0.50 and 0.60 

for the rex sole (estimated bycatch 4.5M lb) and flathead 

sole (estimated bycatch 4.2 M lb) fisheries, respectively.

Catch and bycatch of managed fish and invertebrate 

stocks in Alaska are generally accounted for in the stock 

assessment and in-season management processes. That 

is, fishing mortality estimates are calculated by summing 

estimates of retained and discarded weights. Low levels 

of bycatch mortality of sensitive or key species may be of 

greater concern than high bycatch levels for populations 

that are abundant and for which allowable catch levels are 

also high. Discard mortality is assumed to be 100% for all 

species except Pacific halibut. 

Figure 5.6

 Fishery bycatch ratios for Northwest Region fisheries (2005 data).

W. Coast mid-water trawl for whiting, at-sea processing

W. Coast groundfish non-trawl gear: non-endorsed fixed gear

W. Coast groundfish non-trawl gear: limited-entry sablefish-endorsed fixed gear

W. Coast salmon troll, tribal ocean

W. Coast salmon troll, non-tribal ocean

California, Oregon nearshore rockfish

W. Coast limited-entry bottom trawl; groundfish bottom trawl

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

5.5.4 Northwest Region Fishery Bycatch

Fishery bycatch estimates were provided for seven Northwest Region commercial fisheries. Trawl (pelagic and nonpelagic), demersal longline, pots, troll, and other hook-andline gear (fishing poles) were used to prosecute these fisheries. Computed fishery bycatch ratios for Northwest commercial fisheries ranged from 0.01 to 0.34 (Figure 5.6).

The lowest overall fishery bycatch ratios occurred in the 

West Coast mid-water hake trawl (at-sea processing) fishery and the West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear (non-endorsed fixed gear) fishery. The West Coast mid-water hake 

trawl (at-sea processing) fishery is a very large-volume fishery, with total retained weight of approximately 280 M lb 

and a bycatch estimate of 1.6 M lb, resulting in a low fishery 

bycatch ratio (0.01). Bycatch in the West Coast groundfish 

non-trawl gear (non-endorsed fixed gear) fishery was estimated to be approximately 600 K lb, with a fishery bycatch 

ratio of 0.15. 

Bycatch estimates in the West Coast tribal and non-tribal 

ocean salmon troll fisheries were 15.8 K and 184.6 K fish, 

respectively, with fishery bycatch ratios of 0.19 and 0.23, respectively (note that both catch and bycatch are reported in 

numbers of individuals for these fisheries). The California/

Oregon nearshore rockfish fishery bycatch estimate was 

336 K lb, with a fishery bycatch ratio of 0.27. 

The West Coast limited-entry bottom trawl (groundfish bottom trawl) fishery bycatch estimate was over 21 M lb, with 

a fishery bycatch ratio of 0.34. Bycatch of target species 

comprised a substantial proportion of overall bycatch in this 

fishery. Target species were discarded for a variety of reasons including economic market factors, size, and regulations. 

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5.5.5 Pacific Islands Region Fishery Bycatch

Bycatch estimates were provided for two Pacific Islands 

Region commercial fisheries: the Hawaii-based shallow-set 

pelagic longline fishery (swordfish) and the Hawaii-based 

deep-set pelagic longline fishery (tuna). Overall fishery bycatch estimates for these two fisheries were 1.1 M lb and 

7.4 M lb, respectively, with fishery bycatch ratios of 0.24 for 

the shallow-set and 0.28 for the deep-set fishery (Figure 

5.7). 

5.6 Bycatch by Resource Type

Estimates were calculated for bycatch of fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds where supporting data 

were available. Bycatch was estimated for a total of 480 

fish species, 54 marine mammal stocks, all U.S. sea turtle 

populations, and 28 seabird populations (Table 5.5). Stocks 

were counted more than once if estimates were produced 

in more than one region.

Figure 5.7 

Fishery bycatch ratios for Pacific Islands Region fisheries (2005 data).

Credit: Adam Li, NMFS

Pilot whale.

Hawaii-based deep-set pelagic longline fishery (tuna)

Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery (swordfish)

Fishery bycatch ratio

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Region

Fish stocks with 

bycatch estimates

Marine mammal stocks 

with bycatch estimates

Sea turtle populations 

with bycatch 

estimatesa

Seabird populations 

with bycatch estimates

Northeast 34 6 1b NAc

Southeast 215 5 6 5

Alaska 91 17 NAd 12

Northwest 52 3 NAe 7

Southwest 0f 8 1 0 f

Pacific Islands 88 15 4 4

Total number 

of bycatch estimates 

by resource type

480 54 12 28

a Six sea turtle populations are found in the U.S. Note that some regions provided estimates for unidentified sea turtles in addition to those for specific 

populations.

b The Northeast Region provided bycatch estimates of zero for all sea turtle species that occur in the region, except for the loggerhead sea turtle. c The Northeast Region is currently developing seabird bycatch estimation methods.

d Sea turtles occur rarely in the Alaska Region, and no sea turtle bycatch has been observed.

e No sea turtle bycatch was observed in the Northwest Region (bycatch was reported as 0 for all sea turtle populations for all fisheries). However, it was not 

possible to determine the number of populations that would be included in the zero estimates; therefore a number is not listed in this table. 

f The Southwest Region is currently developing fish bycatch estimation methods.

5.6.1 Fish Bycatch

This report provides bycatch estimates for 480 fish stocks. 

Bycatch ratios were calculated for each stock where bycatch estimates and total fish catch data were available. 

Stock bycatch ratios were developed to measure the relative amount of bycatch to total catch for each fish stock, 

although both the amount of bycatch and the bycatch ratio 

are important when examining the impact of bycatch. 

The number of fish stocks for which bycatch estimates 

were made varied by region. The Southeast Region provided the highest number (206) due to the large diversity 

in South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean fisheries. 

The Southwest Region did not provide bycatch estimates 

for fish stocks. 

Stock bycatch ratios could be calculated for only the small 

subset of fish where bycatch estimates were calculated (93 

fish stocks; 19.4%), for two principal reasons. First, fish 

bycatch estimates were calculated in numbers of fish in 

several fisheries, while landings were generally provided in 

weight. Since factors to convert the numeric estimates into 

weight were not always available, it was not always possible 

to calculate bycatch ratios for these stocks. Second, many 

of the landings statistics contained in the national database 

were provided for groups of fish species, while bycatch estimates were calculated at the species or stock level. Since 

no method was available to determine individual species 

catch for grouped species, it was not possible to calculate 

stock bycatch ratios. Database improvements are needed 

to allow development of stock bycatch ratios in future editions of this report.

Stock bycatch ratios ranged from 0.01 to 1.0 (Figure 5.8–

5.12). It is difficult to compare species bycatch estimates 

among regions due to the large number of species included 

in this report and differences in the quantity and quality of 

data among regions. When a fish stock had a bycatch ratio 

of greater than 0.127 and other considerations were met, it 

was classified as a key stock (refer to Section 3 for a complete description of the criteria). 

Table 5.5

Bycatch estimates by region and resource type. Note that a single species or population may occur in multiple regions and that estimates for 

unidentified animals are included. Estimates in this report employed data 

from 2005; however, for some rare-event species multiple years of data 

were used to calculate estimates.

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5.6.1.1 Northeast Region Fish Bycatch

Fish and invertebrate bycatch estimates were provided for 

34 Northeast Region stocks, with 21 identified as key stocks 

(Figure 5.8). Stock bycatch estimates ranged up to 79.6 M 

lb, with the highest estimated bycatch for the skate complex 

(see Section 4.1, Appendix table 4.1.A for this estimate). 

Fish stocks with high bycatch ratios included ocean pout 

(0.98), windowpane flounder (0.91), spiny dogfish (0.90), 

red hake (0.78), butterfish (0.69), Atlantic halibut (0.45), and 

offshore hake (0.42). Species with low stock bycatch ratios 

included Atlantic surfclams (<0.01), ocean quahog (<0.01), 

pollock (0.01), Atlantic sea scallop (0.03), and Atlantic herring (0.03). A stock bycatch ratio was not presented for the 

skate complex because it comprises seven stocks, and the 

bycaught species may be different from the landed stocks. 

No stock bycatch ratios were provided for Atlantic salmon 

and shortnose sturgeon because landings are prohibited for 

these ESA-listed species, nor for red crab due to confidentiality of the commercial landings. Nineteen FSSI stocks and 

two ESA-listed stocks were identified as key fish stocks; the 

majority of these were classified as overfished in the 2008 

First Quarter FSSI report.

Figure 5.8 

Stock bycatch ratios for the Northeast Region (2005 data). * indicates key stocks. 

Northeast region key stocks without bycatch ratios: skate complex and Atlantic salmon 

(zero bycatch).

Atlantic surfclam

Ocean quahog

Pollock

Atlantic herring

Atlantic sea scallop

Atlantic mackerel

Bluefish

Tilefish 

Longfinned squid

White hake

Black sea bass*

Haddock *

Winter flounder 

Witch flounder

Scup*

Atlantic cod*

Redfish*

Shortfin squid,

Yellowtail flounder*

American plaice*

Monkfish*

Summer flounder*

Silver hake*

Offshore hake*

Atlantic halibut*

Butterfish*

Red hake*

Spiny dogfish*

Windowpane flounder*

Ocean pout*

Species bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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5.6.1.2 Southeast Region Fish Bycatch

Fish bycatch estimates were calculated for 206 Southeast 

Region fish stocks, with 64 identified as key stocks (Figure 

5.9). In some cases, bycatch and landings were reported 

by weight, and in other cases by numbers. Therefore, it was 

possible only to develop bycatch ratios for a small subset 

of these. For those stocks where stock bycatch ratios were 

calculated, the highest ratios were for the Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic croaker stock (0.90), the West Atlantic bluefin 

tuna stock4 (0.49), and the South Atlantic albacore stock 

(0.38). Of these, only the West Atlantic bluefin tuna stock 

was identified as a key stock. For fish stocks where bycatch 

4 Regulations prohibit targeting the Western Atlantic stock of bluefin tuna.

ratios could not be developed, species with high bycatch 

estimates included Gulf of Mexico seatrout and weakfish 

(58.7 M lb), non-Panaeid shrimp (88 M lb), longspine porgy 

(61.5 M lb), tiger shark (2.0 M lb), and Gulf of Mexico Spanish mackerel (3.6 M lb). These stocks, however, were not 

identified as key stocks. Key stocks with high bycatch estimates included red snapper (estimates in both number of 

fish, 1.7 M, and pounds, 2.6 M lb), red grouper (estimates in 

both number of fish, 862.1 K, and pounds, 57.8 K lb), South 

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico dusky shark (570 K lb), greater amberjack (266 K fish), Gulf of Mexico lane snapper (1.6 M lb), 

and South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico great hammerhead shark 

(191.8 K lb). The majority of these key stocks were subject 

to overfishing and were also overfished, as classified in the 

2008 First Quarter FSSI report.

Figure 5.9

Stock bycatch ratios for the Southeast Region (2005 data). GOM = Gulf of Mexico. * indicates key stocks. Southeast Region key stocks without bycatch ratios: black grouper, 

black sea bass, black snapper, blackfin snapper, blue marlin, blue shark, bull shark, 

cobia, dolphinfish, dusky shark, gag grouper, goliath grouper, gray snapper, great hammerhead shark, greater amberjack, Gulf sturgeon, hogfish, king mackerel, lane snapper, little tunny, lemon shark, Nassau grouper, red drum, red grouper, red porgy, red 

snapper, sailfish, sandbar shark, scalloped hammerhead, scamp, shortnose sturgeon, 

silk snapper, silky shark, smalltooth sawfish, snowy grouper, Spanish mackerel, speckeled hind, spinner shark, Warsaw grouper, white grunt, white marlin, wreckfish, yellowledge grouper, yellowfin grouper.

Black drum — GOM

Bigeye tuna — S. Atlantic

Southern flounder — GOM

Albacore — S. Atlantic

Bluefin tuna — W. Atlantic*

Atlantic croaker — GOM

Species bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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5.6.1.3 Alaska Region Fish Bycatch

Bycatch estimates were provided for 73 Alaska Region fish 

and invertebrate stocks, with six identified as key stocks: 

red king crab (four distinct stocks), Aleutian Islands golden 

king crab, blue king crab, the demersal shelf rockfish complex (seven species), Chinook salmon, and non-Chinook 

salmon (Figure 5.10). Estimated bycatch ranged from trace 

amounts to 41.6 M lb. The highest estimated bycatch was 

for walleye pollock (41.6 M lb), BSAI arrowtooth flounder 

(32.4 M lb), rocksole (28.7 M lb), and yellowfin sole (20.0M 

lb); abundance and harvest levels were very high for these 

stocks and overall bycatch represented only a small fraction of total fishing mortality. Bycatch estimates for the four 

key stocks were relatively low, although landings data were 

not available because retention of these stocks in Federal 

groundfish fisheries is prohibited. Key stock bycatch estimates were 630 K lb for red king crab; 17 K lb. for Aleutian Islands golden king crab; 5.4 K lb for blue king crab; 

and 160 lb for demersal shelf rockfish. In many cases, bycatch of target species comprised a substantial proportion 

of overall bycatch in a specific fishery, due to discard of 

undersize or otherwise undesirable species. For example, 

bycatch of Atka mackerel comprised 31% of overall bycatch 

in the BSAI Atka mackerel trawl fishery; and Pacific cod 

comprised 12% of the total bycatch in the BSAI Pacific cod 

longline fishery. 

Quantity or proportion of bycatch may not be a good indicator of the need for concern. This is certainly the case for 

key stocks where even small quantities of bycatch are an 

important consideration in the management of the species. 

Examples include the Chinook salmon and non-Chinook 

salmon key stock categories. Bycatch of Pacific salmon 

species in the BSAI pollock trawl fishery was small as a 

proportion of the overall catch; nevertheless, there is concern regarding the impacts of this bycatch on some of the 

stocks from which they originate. 

Figure 5.10

Stock bycatch ratios for Alaska Region (2005 data). 

Alaska Region key stocks without bycatch ratios are 

red king crab (four stocks), Aleutian Islands golden king 

crab, blue king crab, the demersal shelf rockfish complex (seven species), Chinook salmon, and non-Chinook 

salmon. * indicates key stocks.

Walleye pollock

Pacific cod

Sablefish

Rex sole

Atka mackerel

Greenland turbot

Yellowfin sole

Pacific ocean perch 

Flathead sole 

Rock sole

Arrowtooth flounder

Species bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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5.6.1.4 Northwest Region Fish Bycatch

Fish bycatch estimates were provided for 53 Northwest 

Region fish stocks, with 33 identified as key stocks (Figure 5.11). Overall, stock bycatch ratios ranged from 0.01 

to 0.97. The highest bycatch estimates were reported for 

arrowtooth flounder (3.2 M lb), Pacific hake (3.0 M lb), and 

spiny dogfish (2.8 M lb). Although the bycatch for Pacific 

hake was high, the stock bycatch ratio was very low at 0.01. 

The stock bycatch ratios for arrowtooth flounder and spiny 

dogfish were 0.40 and 0.70, respectively. Stocks with the 

highest stock bycatch ratios included cowcod (0.97), bocaccio (0.79), and canary rockfish (0.68). As these stocks 

are overfished, landings are extremely restricted or prohibited by fishery management;5 therefore, the majority of the 

catch of these stocks is discarded (hence the high stock 

5 As of 2005, cowcod was prohibited from retention in all sectors of the 

groundfish fishery. Bocaccio and canary rockfish had very restricted retention limits in some sectors of the groundfish fishery and were prohibited in 

others, but some overall retention was still allowed in the 2005 fishery.

Figure 5.11 

Stock bycatch ratios for the Northwest Region (2005 data). * indicates key stocks.

bycatch ratio shown in Figure 5.11). Some fish stocks were 

identified in the Northwest Region as key stocks due to the 

potential for high bycatch mortality. FSSI stocks were identified as key stocks, with none of the stocks experiencing 

overfishing. Cowcod, bocaccio, darkblotched rockfish, and 

yelloweye rockfish stocks were classified as overfished in 

the 2008 First Quarter FSSI report.

All catch and bycatch of managed fish and invertebrate 

stocks are accounted for in stock assessments and fishery 

management. Each year, total mortality estimates are calculated for most Northwest fisheries. These estimates include 

the retained and discarded components of catch. When 

computing total mortality, rates of survivorship (less than 

100% mortality) are applied for some individual species or 

species groups. These survivorship rates were not applied 

in the bycatch estimates included in this report. Quantity or 

proportion of bycatch may not be the only indicator of concern. Low levels of bycatch may be of greater concern for 

those species whose populations are less abundant and/

or overfished. 

Dungeness crab*

Pacific cod

Pacific whiting*

Petrale sole*

Black rockfish*

Blackgill rockfish*

Dover sole*

Yellowtail rockfish*

Longspine thornyhead*

Sablefish

Blue rockfish*

Pacific ocean perch*

Shortspine thornyhead*

English sole*

Darkblotched rockfish*

Pacific halibut*

Kelp greenling*

California sheephead

Cabezon*

Widow rockfish*

Arrowtooth flounder

Chilipepper rockfish

Canary rockfish*

Lingcod*

Spiny dogfish*

Bocaccio*

Cowcod*

Species bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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5.6.1.5 Southwest Region Fish Bycatch

Fish and invertebrate bycatch estimates were not calculated 

for Southwest Region commercial fisheries at the time this 

report was drafted. Recently published bycatch estimates 

of fish, sharks, and invertebrates in the California swordfish 

drift gillnet fishery (Larese and Coan 2008) will be included in the next edition of the U.S. National Bycatch Report. 

Fish and invertebrate bycatch estimates for the California 

halibut and white seabass set gillnet fisheries will also be 

included.

5.6.1.6 Pacific Islands Region Fish Bycatch

Fish bycatch estimates were provided for a total of 89 Pacific Islands stocks, with three stocks classified as key stocks 

(Figure 5.12). The range in overall bycatch estimates for 

all stocks was 0 to 5.6 M lb. Stock bycatch ratios ranged 

from 0 to 1.0, with the majority of stocks having very low 

bycatch ratios. The highest bycatch ratios occurred for the 

ocean sunfish (1.0) and escolar (0.88). The high ratios for 

both of these stocks reflect how seldom they are landed 

(the ratio is equal to one if none are landed). The estimated 

catches of ocean sunfish and escolar in these fisheries in 

2005 were 85 and 3,300 individuals, respectively. The three 

key Pacific Islands fish stocks identified in this report were 

bigeye thresher shark (432.8 K lb), blue shark (5.6 M lb), 

and longnose lancetfish (927.7 K lb). Bycatch ratios were 

not calculated for these stocks since landings at the national level were reported for sharks in general, and longnose lancetfish were rarely landed. Blue shark stocks were 

identified as key because they are FSSI stocks.

Figure 5.12 

Stock bycatch ratios for the Pacific Islands Region (2005 data). Pacific Islands Region key stocks without bycatch ratios: bigeye thresher 

shark, blue shark, longnose lancetfish.

Kawakawa

Bigeye tuna 

Albacore

Oilfish

Wahoo 

Opah

Rainbow runner

Swordfish

Yellowfin tuna 

Dolphinfish

Indo-Pacific blue marlin

Sailfish

Striped marlin 

Shortbill spearfish 

Skipjack tuna 

Great barracuda

Black marlin

Escolar

Ocean sunfish

Species bycatch ratio

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

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5.6.2 Marine Mammal Bycatch

The total bycatch estimate (lethal takes and serious injuries) for marine mammals for 39 fisheries and 54 marine 

mammal stocks was 1,887 individual animals (Figures 

5.13–5.19). The number of bycatch estimates varied by 

region, as discussed in the following sections. Some estimates contain decimals due to averaging across years. 

5.6.2.1 Northeast Region Marine Mammal Bycatch

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for 15 

Northeast Region commercial fisheries; there was no documented marine mammal bycatch during 2001–2005 for the 

majority of the other Northeast fisheries. The Mid-Atlantic 

mid-water trawl fishery produced an average annual bycatch of 91 animals, while the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fishery produced an annual average of 182 animals, 118 of 

which were western North Atlantic short-beaked common 

dolphin. The Mid-Atlantic and New England gillnet fisheries and the New England otter trawl fishery had the highFigure 5.13

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal + serious injury) in the 

Northeast Region (n = total number of bycaught animals). 

The baseline year of data used in this report was 2005, 

however, for some rare-event species multiple years of 

data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks for 

which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

est marine mammal bycatch estimates, ranging from 238 

to 514 animals per year. Bycatch in the gillnet fisheries 

was mainly harbor porpoises (Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy 

stock), with an annual average of 177 animals bycaught in 

the Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery and 475 bycaught in the New 

England gillnet fishery. Western North Atlantic white-sided 

dolphin was the most commonly bycaught species in the 

New England otter trawl fishery, with an annual average of 

192 animals.

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for six 

stocks, with five identified as key stocks (Figure 5.13). The 

total marine mammal bycatch estimate was 1,287 animals 

per year (2001–05 average). The stocks with the highest average annual bycatch estimates included the Gulf of Maine/

Bay of Fundy stock of harbor porpoise (652 animals), western North Atlantic white-sided dolphin (355 animals), and 

western North Atlantic short-beaked common dolphin (151 

animals). These were followed by pilot whale (65 animals), 

the western North Atlantic coastal stock of bottlenose dolphin (61 animals), and western North Atlantic Risso’s dolphin (3 animals). The status of these stocks was unknown.

n = 1,287

Atlantic white-sided

dolphin — W. N. Atlantic*

27.6% (355)

Harbor porpoise —

Gulf of Maine/Bay of

Fundy*

50.7% (652)

Pilot whale (long- or

short-finned)*

5.1% (65)

Bottlenose dolphin —

W. N. Atlantic coastal stock*

4.7% (61) 

Common dolphin, 

short-beaked — W. N. Atlantic*

11.7% (151)

Risso's dolphin — W. N. Atlantic 

0.2% (3)

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5.6.2.2 Southeast Region Marine Mammal Bycatch

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for three 

Southeast Region commercial fisheries. Bycatch in the 

large and small coastal shark aggregate fisheries (drift, 

strike, and bottom gillnet) was relatively low, with an estimate of five bottlenose dolphins bycaught annually. Average annual marine mammal bycatch in the Southeastern 

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline and shark 

bottom longline fisheries was 116 and 100 animals, respectively. In the HMS pelagic longline fishery, 70 pilot whales 

and 46 Risso’s dolphins, as well as both spotted pantropical and Atlantic spotted dolphin (both western N. Atlantic 

stocks) were taken, while bottlenose dolphin was the only 

species bycaught in the shark bottom longline fishery.

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for five 

stocks, with four identified as key stocks (Figure 5.14). The 

total number of marine mammals bycaught in the Southeast Region was 233.25 animals. The majority of the bycatch was western North Atlantic coastal bottlenose dolphin, with 105 animals. Seventy long-finned or short-finned 

pilot whales and 46 western North Atlantic Risso’s dolphins 

were also bycaught. Status for these key marine mammal 

stocks is either varied or unknown.

5.6.2.3 Alaska Region Marine Mammal Bycatch

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for 13 

Alaska Region commercial fisheries, with bycatch estimates 

ranging from 0.20 to 35.8 animals per year (note that annual 

estimates are based on multi-year averages, hence some 

values are fractional). Four of these fisheries are State of 

Alaska salmon gillnet fisheries located in Cook Inlet, Kodiak, Yakutat, and Southeast Alaska (AMMOP fisheries). Bycatch data were obtained from the North Pacific Groundfish 

Observer Program, AMMOP, and/or from stranding network 

data. Only very low levels of bycatch (central North Pacific 

humpback whale bycatch; 0.2 animals/yr) were estimated 

for the Cook Inlet, Yakutat, and Southeast fisheries. For 

the Kodiak fishery, however, an annual bycatch estimate of 

35.8 animals (harbor porpoise, GOA stock) was reported. 

Although average annual marine mammal bycatch estimates were numerically very low for the majority of nine 

groundfish fisheries with bycatch estimates, a serious injury or mortality problem may still exist (i.e., even a small 

amount of bycatch may be significant). 

•	 For the BSAI Atka mackerel trawl fishery, only Steller sea 

lions (western stock) were taken, with an average annual 

mortality of 0.49 animals. 

Figure 5.14 

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal + serious injury) in the Southeast Region (n = total 

number of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used in this report was 2005; 

however, for some rare-event species multiple years of data were used to generate a 

bycatch estimate. Note: Stocks for which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. 

* indicates key stocks.

n = 233.25

Spotted dolphin,

Atlantic — 

W. N. Atlantic

2.6% (6)

Spotted

dolphin,

Pantropical —

W.N. Atlantic*

2.6% (6)

Bottlenose dolphin — 

W. N. Atlantic Coastal*

45.1% (105.25)

Risso's dolphin—

W. N. Atlantic*

19.7% (46)

Pilot whale 

(long- or shortfinned)*

30% (70)

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•	 For the BSAI flatfish trawl fisheries, average annual marine mammal bycatch mortality was 9.72 animals and 

was comprised of western Steller sea lion (2.78), spotted seal (1.17), ringed seal (0.49), ribbon seal (0.27), Pacific walrus (2.10), northern fur seal (0.57), Bering sea 

harbor seal (0.79), Bering sea harbor porpoise (0.35), 

killer whale – Eastern North Pacific Alaska resident stock 

(0.84), and bearded seal (0.36). 

•	 For the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery, average annual 

marine mammal bycatch mortality was 2.18 animals and 

was comprised of killer whale—Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 

Islands, and Bering Sea transient stock (0.84), ribbon 

seal (0.60), and western Steller sea lion (0.74). 

•	 For the BSAI Pacific cod trawl fishery, average annual 

marine mammal bycatch mortality was 1.64 animals, 

comprised of Bering Sea harbor seal (0.79) and western 

Steller sea lion (0.85).

•	 For the BSAI pollock pelagic trawl fishery, average annual marine mammal bycatch mortality was 5.46 animals, 

including western Steller sea lion (2.58), ringed seal 

(0.42), ribbon seal (0.20), northern fur seal (0.21), Bering 

Sea harbor seal (0.29), Dall’s porpoise (1.35), and killer 

whale—Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea 

transient stock (0.41). 

•	 For the BSAI sablefish pot fishery, overall marine mammal bycatch was estimated at 0.20 animals per year, 

comprised of central North Pacific and western North Pacific humpback whale, in equal proportions. 

•	 For the GOA crab pot fishery, only central North Pacific 

humpback whale bycatch mortality was reported (0.60). 

•	 For the GOA pollock pelagic trawl fishery, marine mammal bycatch mortality was estimated at 2.52 animals per 

year, consisting of Dall’s porpoise (0.48), northern elephant seal (0.71), and western Steller sea lion (1.33). 

For the GOA Pacific cod trawl fishery, only western Steller 

sea lion bycatch was reported (0.94).

Marine mammal bycatch was calculated for 17 stocks, with 

12 identified as key stocks (Figure 5.15). The total annual 

marine mammal bycatch estimated for the BSAI and GOA 

Figure 5.15 

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal + serious injury) in the Alaska Region (n = total number 

of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used in this report was 2005; however, 

for some rare-event species multiple years of data were used to generate a bycatch 

estimate. Note: zero estimates are not shown. Stocks for which bycatch estimates were 

zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 62.26

Steller sea lion — western* 15.6% (9.71)

Dall's porpoise — AK 2.9% (1.83)

Harbor porpoise — Bering Sea 0.6% (0.35)

Gray whale 0.8% (0.5)

Harbor seal — Bering Sea 3.0% (0.35)

Spotted seal* 1.9% (1.17)

Bearded seal* 0.6% (0.36)

N. elephant seal 1.1% (0.71)

Pacific walrus* 3.4% (2.1)

N. fur seal* 1.3% (0.78)

Killer whale — eastern N.

Pacific AK resident*

3.4% (2.09)

Humpback whale — 

western N. Pacific*

0.3% (0.2)

Humpback whale — 

central N. Pacific*

3.9%(2.4)

Harbor porpoise — GOA*

 57.5% (35.8)

Killer whale — GOA and BSAI transient* 0.7% (0.41)

Ribbon seal* 1.7% (1.07)

Ringed seal* 1.5% (0.91)

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was 61 animals; 35 were Gulf of Alaska harbor porpoises 

(documented from a single fishery) and 10 were western 

Steller sea lions from several fisheries. Lower levels of estimated bycatch of key stocks included bearded seal (<1 

animal), humpback whale (0.2–2.4), killer whale (0.4–2.1), 

Northern fur seal (0.8), Pacific walrus (2.1), ribbon seal 

(1.1), ringed seal (0.9), and spotted seal (1.2). For the majority of these stocks, ZMRG and stock status is unknown 

or declining. The western Steller sea lion is listed as endangered.

5.6.2.4 Northwest Region Marine Mammal Bycatch

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for 2005 

for five Northwest Region commercial fisheries. Although 

bycatch estimates were based on a single year of data, 

some fractional values were reported due to the estimation process. No marine mammal bycatch occurred in the 

West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear (non-endorsed fixed 

gear) or the California/Oregon nearshore rockfish fishery. 

Low levels of bycatch occurred in the West Coast groundfish non-trawl gear (sablefish-endorsed fixed gear) fishery 

(14 California sea lions), the West Coast limited-entry bottom trawl (groundfish bottom trawl) fishery (20 California 

sea lions), and the West Coast mid-water hake trawl fishery 

for at-sea processors (four animals).

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for three 

Northwest Region stocks, with one stock identified as a key 

stock (Figure 5.16). Total annual marine mammal bycatch 

in the West Coast fisheries was estimated at 37 animals. 

The highest species bycatch was for the California sea 

lion stock, with 33.7 animals. The only key marine mammal stock identified was the Steller sea lion, with an annual 

bycatch estimate of 2.4 animals.

5.6.2.5 Southwest Region Marine Mammal Bycatch

Estimates of marine mammal bycatch from three California 

commercial fisheries were calculated. Bycatch estimates 

were provided for eight stocks, four of which were classified as key stocks (Figure 5.17). Annual bycatch estimates 

Figure 5.16 

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal + serious injury) in the Northwest Region 

(n = total number of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used 

in this report was 2005; however, for some rare-event species, multiple 

years of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks for which 

bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 37.3

California sea

lion 90.4% (33.7)

Harbor seal

3.2% (1.2)

Steller sea lion*

6.4% (2.4)

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ranged from 1 to 145 animals (common short-beaked dolphin CA/OR/WA). Bycatch estimates for the key populations were 51.5 California sea lions (U.S.), 9.1 common 

long-beaked dolphin (CA/OR/WA), 18 northern right whale 

dolphin (CA/OR/WA), and one short-finned pilot whale. The 

majority of marine mammal stocks identified as key stocks 

in the Southwest region have unknown stock status.

The highest bycatch levels were from the California drift gillnet fishery for swordfish and thresher shark, which has had 

an observer program since 1990. For the period 2000–04, 

annual average marine mammal mortality in this fishery 

was 38 California sea lions, 4.4 long-beaked common dolphin, 58 short-beaked common dolphin, eight northern elephant seals, 18 northern right whale dolphin, 4.8 Pacific 

white-sided dolphin, 5.8 Risso’s dolphin, and 1 short-finned 

pilot whale. In recent years, cetacean entanglements in 

this fishery have averaged approximately four per 100 sets 

fished. Current cetacean bycatch rates in the drift gillnet 

fishery are significantly lower since acoustic pingers were 

introduced into this fishery in the mid-1990s (Barlow and 

Cameron 2003; Carretta et. al. 2008). Bycatch in the California squid purse seine fishery averaged 87 short-beaked 

common dolphin, although this estimate had a high degree 

of uncertainty due to the low level of observer coverage. 

Annual bycatch in the California white seabass and yellowtail small-mesh drift gillnet fisheries was estimated to average 13.5 California sea lions and 4.7 long-beaked common 

dolphin, respectively. 

Of the three Southwest fisheries for which cetacean and pinniped bycatch were reported, only one, the swordfish gillnet 

fishery, currently has an observer program. Total bycatch 

over all three fisheries was 51.5 California sea lions, 9.1 

long-beaked common dolphin, 145 short-beaked common 

dolphin, eight northern elephant seals, 18 northern right 

whale dolphin, 4.8 Pacific white-sided dolphin, 5.8 Risso’s 

dolphin, and one short-finned pilot whale. Because not all 

fisheries were observed in all years, these estimates should 

be considered minimum bycatch estimates. These bycatch 

estimates appear in the U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock 

Assessments, which are published annually. More recent 

estimates of marine mammal bycatch are available in the 

2008 U.S. Pacific Stock Assessment Report (Carretta et al. 

2009).

Figure 5.17

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal + serious injury) in the Southwest Region 

(n = total number of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used in 

this report was 2005; however, for some rare-event species multiple years 

of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks for which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 243.2

Common dolphin, 

short-beaked — 

CA-OR-WA

-

59.6% (145)

Pilot whale, short

finned — CA-OR-WA*

0.4% (1)

CA sea lion — U.S.*

 21.2% (51.5)

Common

dolphin, longbeaked — CA-OR-WA*

3.7% (9.1)

N. elephant seal —

CA breeding 

3.3% (8)

CA-OR-WA

2.4% (5.8)

Pacific white sided

dolphin — 

CA-OR-WA, N. and S

2.0% (4.8)

Northern right 

whale dolphin —

CA-OR-WA*

7.4% (18)

Risso’s dolphin —

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5.6.2.6 Pacific Islands Region 

Marine Mammal Bycatch

An annual average, over five years, of one marine mammal was observed caught in the Hawaii-based shallow-set 

pelagic longline fishery for swordfish within and outside the 

Hawaiian EEZ, while minimal bycatch was observed within and outside the Hawaiian EEZ in the deep-set pelagic 

longline fishery for tuna (an annual average of approximately 25.23 animals from 15 separate marine mammal 

stocks).

Figure 5.18

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal 

+ serious injury) in the Pacific Islands Region, within the EEZ (n = 

total number of bycaught animals). 

The baseline year of data used in 

this report was 2005; however, for 

some rare-event species multiple 

years of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks 

for which bycatch estimates were 

zero are not shown. * indicates 

key stocks. UID = unidentified.

Figure 5.19

Marine mammal bycatch (lethal 

+ serious injury) in the Pacific 

Islands Region beyond the EEZ 

(n = total number of bycaught 

animals). The baseline year 

of data used in this report was 

2005; however, for some rareevent species multiple years of 

data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks for which 

bycatch estimates were zero are 

not shown. * indicates key stocks. 

UID = unidentified.

Marine mammal bycatch estimates were provided for a total of 15 stocks, with four identified as key stocks (Figures 

5.18 and 5.19). Bycatch ranged from 0 to 7.62 animals, reported for specific fisheries rather than for stocks. The key 

stocks included false killer whale, unidentified false killer 

whale or short-finned pilot whale, humpback whale, and 

sperm whale. The stock status of false killer whale stock is 

unknown, while humpback and sperm whales are listed as 

endangered under the ESA.

Inside U.S. EEZ; n = 13.92

False killer whale*

 41.2% (5.74)

False killer or 

short-finned pilot

 whale (UID)*

24.9% (3.47)

Cetacean (UID)

 8.7% (1.21)

Striped dolphin

 8.8% (1.22)

Bottlenose dolphin

 6.7% (0.93)

Blainville's beaked whale

 2.9% (0.41)

Short-finned pilot whale

 6.8% (0.94)

Outside U.S. EEZ; n = 12.31

Short-finned pilot whale

 10.6% (1.3)

Blainville's beaked whale

 4.1% (0.5)

Beaked whale (UID)

6.2% (0.76)

Humpback whale*

 1.6% (0.2)

False killer whale*

 61.9% (7.62)

Bottlenose dolphin

 1.6% (0.2)

Risso's dolphin

14% (1.73)

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5.6.3 Sea Turtle Bycatch

Estimates for bycatch of turtles from all U.S. sea turtle populations were calculated for 21 fisheries, and totaled 11,772 

individual animals. Sea turtle bycatch estimates were not 

calculated for Alaskan fisheries, since sea turtles do not typically occur in this region. Also, sea turtle bycatch was not 

observed in any Northwest Region fisheries. The highest 

sea turtle bycatch estimates were for the Southeast Region, 

with estimates reported for ten fisheries and four sea turtle 

populations (and also for unidentified turtles), with a total 

bycatch estimate of 10,671 individuals (note shrimp trawl 

fishery estimates included mortalities only). Most bycaught 

sea turtles were loggerhead (5,209 animals), Kemp’s ridley (4,222), and leatherback (537). These turtles were bycaught mainly in the reef fish, Atlantic pelagic longline, and 

southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fisheries.6 Note that the proportion of the total stocks that these 

estimates represent is generally unknown because of the 

general lack of population size estimates for sea turtles. 

Some estimates were based on multiple years of data, and 

may be fractional due to averaging across years.

5.6.3.1 Northeast Region Sea Turtle Bycatch

Sea turtle bycatch estimates were provided for nine Northeast Region commercial fisheries, with the majority of other 

Northeast fisheries having no documented sea turtle bycatch. Bycatch estimates were presented for loggerhead 

turtles only, because this was the only species with enough 

observed interactions to produce a defensible estimate. 

Loggerhead sea turtles are currently listed as threatened 

under the ESA, and are thus a key stock. Estimated bycatch for the loggerhead sea turtle during 1996–2005 in the 

Northeast Region, across the nine gear types presented, 

was 1,062 loggerhead sea turtles per year, with an estimated annual average of 136 in the Mid-Atlantic scallop trawl 

fishery (2004–05), 310 in the Mid-Atlantic scallop dredge 

fishery (2003–05), and 616 in the Mid-Atlantic otter trawl 

fishery (1996–2004).

5.6.3.2 Southeast Region Sea Turtle Bycatch

Estimates of sea turtle bycatch were provided for ten 

Southeast Region commercial fisheries. The bycatch estimates encompassed years 2001–06, depending on the 

fishery (more recent data were used to estimate bycatch 

of rare-event species). Low numbers of bycaught sea turtles were reported in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish bottom 

longline fishery (10 unclassified turtles), the Gulf of Mexico 

reef fish handline fishery (24 loggerheads), the large and 

6 Bycatch estimates from the 2002 shrimp trawl fishery Biological Opinion. 

Since that time, effort in the shrimp fishery, and related bycatch, have decreased substantially.

small coastal shark aggregate fisheries (5 loggerheads), 

and the South Atlantic snapper–grouper handline fishery (3 

individuals). It should be noted that any bycatch of these 

ESA-listed species is of concern and more recent observer 

data may indicate higher bycatch levels in these fisheries. 

For example, a September 2008 report indicated Gulf of 

Mexico reef fish bottom longline gear took between 339 and 

1,884 loggerhead sea turtles over an 18-month period (July 

2006–December 2007; a monthly average of 800) based 

on extrapolation of observer data during that time period.7

Higher levels of estimated sea turtle bycatch were found 

in pound net, longline, and trawl fisheries. Total sea turtle 

bycatch estimated for the North Carolina southern flounder 

pound net fishery was 657 animals, with 536 loggerheads, 

107 green turtles, and 13.6 Kemp’s ridley turtles. Total sea 

turtle bycatch estimated for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

HMS pelagic longline fishery was similar, at 625 animals 

(350.9 leatherback and 273.8 loggerhead turtles), as was 

the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Shark Bottom Longline 

fishery (83.2 leatherback and 420 loggerhead turtles, plus 

nearly 32 unidentified sea turtles ). The bycatch in the North 

Carolina inshore gillnet fishery was 60 animals (37 green, 

19 leatherback, and 4 loggerhead turtles).

The Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern Atlantic shrimp trawl 

fisheries had the highest bycatch estimates, at 6,849 and 

1,901 sea turtles, respectively. The majority of bycaught 

7 http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdf/SEFSC2008.pdf

Credit: NOAA

A loggerhead sea turtle.

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sea turtles were Kemp’s ridley (3,884 in the Gulf of Mexico 

and 324 in the South Atlantic) and loggerheads (2,416 in 

the Gulf of Mexico and 1,532 in the South Atlantic). Note 

that estimates for both shrimp trawl fisheries were based 

on levels of fishery effort reported in 2001 (NMFS 2002) 

and since that time, effort (and presumably bycatch) have 

decreased.

Four of the populations with bycatch estimates were identified as key stocks (Figure 5.20); the fifth set of estimates 

were for unidentified animals. The total number of sea turtles bycaught in the Southeast Region was 10,671 animals. 

The highest bycatch occurred for loggerhead sea turtles 

(5,209 animals) and Kemp’s ridley (4,222 animals). Loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles are listed as threatened 

and endangered, respectively, under the ESA.

5.6.3.3 Alaska Region Sea Turtle Bycatch

Sea turtle bycatch estimates were not provided for any 

Alaska Region commercial fisheries, since sea turtles do 

not typically occur in Alaska waters. Sea turtle bycatch has 

never been observed in Alaska, even with high levels of 

observer coverage in this region.

5.6.3.4 Northwest Region Sea Turtle Bycatch

Sea turtle bycatch estimates of zero were provided for five 

Northwest Region commercial fisheries. No bycatch of sea 

turtles has ever been observed.

Figure 5.20

Sea turtle bycatch in the Southeast Region (n = total number of bycaught animals). Estimates include mortalities and those individuals released alive for all 

regional fisheries, with the exception of the shrimp trawl fisheries, for which only 

estimates of mortalities are provided. The baseline year of data used in this report 

was 2005; however, for some rare-event species multiple years of data were used 

to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks for which bycatch estimates were zero are 

not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 10,670.91

Unidentified turtles

 0.4% (45.39)

Green sea turtle*

6.2% (658.7)

Kemp's ridley

sea turtle*

39.6% (4,222)

Leatherback

sea turtle*

5.0% (536.5)

Loggerhead sea turtle*

 48.8% (5,209)

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5.6.3.5 Southwest Region Sea Turtle Bycatch

Sea turtle bycatch estimates were provided for one Southwest Region fishery, which cannot be identified due to confidentiality concerns. The bycatch consisted of one olive ridley sea turtle. This population was identified as a key stock 

by the Southwest Region.

5.6.3.6 Pacific Islands Region Sea Turtle Bycatch

Sea turtle bycatch was observed in the Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery (swordfish) and the Hawaiibased deep-set pelagic longline fishery (tuna), with an estimated total of 20 sea turtles bycaught in the deep-set and 

18 loggerhead turtles in the shallow-set pelagic longline 

fishery. The deep-set fishery bycatch was principally olive 

ridleys (16 of the 20 sea turtles). 

Sea turtle bycatch estimates were provided for four populations, all identified as key stocks (Figure 5.21). Annual bycatch estimates ranged from zero to 16, with a total of 38 

animals. Key stocks included green sea turtle (0 animals), 

leatherback turtle (12), loggerhead turtle (10), and olive ridley turtle (16). While green sea turtles are listed as threatened, the Florida and Mexico breeding populations of this 

species are listed as endangered. Due to the inability to distinguish between these populations away from the nesting 

beaches, NMFS considers green sea turtles endangered 

whenever they occur in U.S. waters. Loggerhead sea turtles 

are listed as threatened under the ESA, while leatherback 

and olive ridley sea turtles are listed as endangered.

Figure 5.21

Sea turtle bycatch in the Pacific Islands Region (n = total number of bycaught 

animals). Estimates include mortalities and those individuals released alive. The 

baseline year of data used in this report was 2005, however; for some rare-event 

species multiple years of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks 

for which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 38

Olive ridley sea turtle*

 42.1% (16)

Leatherback sea turtle*

 31.6% (12)

Loggerhead sea turtle*

 26.3% (10)

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5.6.4 Seabird Bycatch

Bycatch estimates for seabirds were calculated for 25 fisheries, totaling 28 seabird populations and 7,769 individual 

bycaught animals (Figure 5.22–5.25). The number of bycatch estimates varied by region. The highest bycatch estimates were calculated for the Alaska Region and were provided for 16 fisheries, representing 12 seabird populations 

and totaling 7,280 seabirds.

5.6.4.1 Northeast Region Seabird Bycatch

Seabird bycatch estimates were not calculated for the 

Northeast Region; estimation methods are currently being 

developed. 

5.6.4.2 Southeast Region Seabird Bycatch

Seabird bycatch estimates were provided for two Southeast 

Region commercial fisheries. An estimated total of 24 seabirds were bycaught in the South Atlantic coastal migratory 

pelagic troll fishery and an estimated 142 seabirds were 

bycaught in the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

HMS pelagic longline fishery. The majority of seabirds bycaught in the longline fishery were greater shearwater (75) 

and gulls (61).

Seabird bycatch estimates were provided for six populations, with none of these populations identified as key 

stocks (Figure 5.22). Total seabird bycatch in the Southeast 

Region was 186 animals.8 The highest bycatch occurred for 

greater shearwaters and gulls.

8 This is an estimate of total seabird bycatch mortality in the region, and differs from the sum of the species mortality estimates.

Figure 5.22

Seabird bycatch in the Southeast Region (n = total number 

of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used in this 

report was 2005; however, for some rare-event species multiple years of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. 

Stocks for which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. 

* indicates key stocks. The total (n = 186.09) is an estimate of 

total seabird bycatch mortality in the region, and differs from 

the sum of the species mortality estimates.

n = 186.09

Greater

shearwaters

35.7% (75)

Gull

29% (61)

Northern Gannet

 21.0% (44.09)

Wilson's Storm Petrel

 11.4% (24) 

Unspecified

 Seabirds

 2.9% (6)

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5.6.4.3 Alaska Region Seabird Bycatch

Seabird bycatch estimates were provided for 19 Alaska 

Region commercial fisheries. For the majority of fisheries, 

seabird bycatch was comprised of several species. Seabird 

bycatch estimated for the BSAI pollock pelagic trawl fishery was 322 animals comprised of nine different species; 

Northern fulmar was the most frequently taken bird species 

in this fishery (179 animals). The fishery with the highest 

seabird bycatch estimate was the BSAI Pacific cod longline 

fishery, with 5,661 seabirds from 11 different populations; 

most numerous were gulls (1,970 animals) and northern 

fulmars (2,617).

Seabird bycatch estimates represented 12 populations, 

with three identified as key stocks (Figure 5.23). The total 

seabird bycatch estimate for the BSAI and GOA combined 

was 7,280 seabirds. Most numerous among these were 

northern fulmar (3,427) and gulls (2,101), neither of which 

was identified as a key stock. The key stocks represented 

in the bycatch were black-footed albatross (57) and redlegged kittiwake (4). Short-tailed albatross populations are 

listed as endangered under the ESA, while black-footed albatross and kittiwake are listed as Birds of Conservation 

Concern by the USFWS.

Figure 5.23 

Seabird bycatch in the Alaska Region (n = total number of 

bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used in this 

report was 2005; however, for some rare-event species multiple years of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. 

Stocks for which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. 

* indicates key stocks.

n = 7,280

Gull 

28.86% (2,101)

Other seabird 

0.43% (31)

Laysan albatross 

2.97% (216)

Unidentified shearwaters and petrals 

0.67% (49)

Unidentified seabirds 

8.09% (589)

Shearwater

8.17% (595)

Unidentified albatross 

 0.1% (7)

Black-footed albatross* 

 0.92% (67)

Northern fulmar

47.07% (3,427)

Red-legged kittiwake* 

0.06% (4)

Alcid 2.66% 

(194)

Short-tailed albatross* 

 0% (0)

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5.6.4.4 Northwest Region Seabird Bycatch

Seabird bycatch estimates were provided for five Northwest 

Region commercial fisheries. Although bycatch estimates 

were based on a single year of data (2005), some fractional values were reported due to the estimation process. 

No seabird bycatch was reported in the California/Oregon 

nearshore rockfish fishery. Low levels of seabird bycatch 

were reported for the West Coast groundfish non-trawl limited-entry sablefish-endorsed fixed gear fishery (56 blackfooted albatross), the West Coast groundfish non-trawl 

non-endorsed fixed gear fishery (36 brown pelicans), the 

West Coast mid-water hake trawl fishery (10 seabirds from 

five populations), and the West Coast limited-entry groundfish bottom trawl fishery (4 unidentified gulls).

Seabird bycatch estimates were provided for seven populations, with two populations identified as key stocks (Figure 

5.24). Total seabird bycatch in the 2005 West Coast fisheries was estimated at 106 animals. Black-footed albatross 

and brown pelican, considered key stocks, had bycatch estimates of 58.8 and 35.6 animals, respectively. The blackfooted albatross is on the USFWS list of Birds of Conservation Concern; under the ESA, it is considered either stable, 

increasing, or decreasing, because different colonies are 

experiencing different population trends (Naughton et al. 

2008a). The brown pelican was listed as endangered under the ESA, but was delisted in 2009; however, this report 

shows it as ESA-listed for consistency with the timeframe 

of the report overall.

Figure 5.24

Seabird bycatch in the Northwest Region (n = total number of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data used 

in this report was 2005; however, for some rare-event 

species multiple years of data were used to generate a 

bycatch estimate. Stocks for which bycatch estimates 

were zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 106.2

Brown pelican*

33.5% (35.6)

Black-footed albatross*

 55.3% (58.8)

Sooty shearwater 

1.9% (2)

Common murre 

1.9% (2)

Northern fulmar 

1.9% (2)

Unidentified gull 

 3.6% (3.8)

Unidentified sea bird 

 1.9% (2)

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5.6.4.5 Southwest Region Seabird Bycatch Estimates

Seabird bycatch estimates were not calculated for Southwest Region commercial fisheries for the period covered by 

this report. Previous estimates of seabird bycatch for fisheries in this region can be found in journal articles published 

by the Southwest Region (Julian and Beeson 1998; Carretta et. al. 2005). 

5.6.4.6 Pacific Islands Region Seabird Bycatch

Seabird bycatch was observed in the Hawaii-based shallow-set pelagic longline fishery (swordfish) and the Hawaiibased deep-set pelagic longline fishery (tuna), with an estimated annual total of 128 seabirds bycaught in the deep-set 

fishery and 69 seabirds bycaught in the shallow-set fishery. 

Laysan albatross were the main bycatch in the shallow-set 

fishery (62 of the 69 animals), while black-footed albatross 

and Laysan albatross were both bycaught in the deep-set 

fishery (82 and 43 animals, respectively).

Seabird bycatch estimates were provided for four populations, with all populations identified as key stocks (Figure 

5.25). The estimated annual total number of seabirds bycaught in Pacific Islands fisheries was 197 animals. Bycatch estimates were 89 black-footed albatross, 3 brown 

booby, 105 Laysan albatross, and 0 short-tailed albatross. 

The stock status for these populations is unknown.

Figure 5.25

Seabird bycatch in the Pacific Islands Region (n = total 

number of bycaught animals). The baseline year of data 

used in this report was 2005; however, for some rareevent species multiple years of data were used to generate a bycatch estimate. Stocks for which bycatch estimates were zero are not shown. * indicates key stocks.

n = 197

Black-footed albatross*

 45.2% (89)

Brown booby*

 1.5% (3)

Laysan albatross*

 53.3% (105)

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5.7 National and Regional Estimates 

of Overall Bycatch

Estimated fish bycatch for the U.S. commercial fisheries 

considered in this report totaled 1.221 B pounds, while associated landings for these fisheries totaled over 6.068 B 

pounds (Table 5.6). The resulting estimated overall bycatch 

ratio (defined as the ratio of bycatch to total catch, where 

total catch equals landings plus bycatch) for fish bycatch 

in all U.S. commercial fisheries considered in this report is 

0.17 (rounded from the calculated ratio of 0.167543); note 

that calculations in Table 5.7 are based on the true ratio 

(0.167543). The ratio 0.17 is referred to as the “overall bycatch ratio” in the subsequent discussion. The computation 

of an overall bycatch ratio did not include bycatch of protected species; for fisheries considered in this report, total 

estimated bycatch of marine mammals was 1,887 individual 

animals, of sea turtles was 11,772 animals, and of seabirds 

was 7,769 animals. 

In some fisheries, insufficient data were available for analysis. For other fisheries, analytical methods for estimating 

some types of bycatch were not available when the report 

was compiled (e.g., bycatch estimates were not provided 

for fish species in the Southwest Region or for seabirds in 

the Northeast and Southwest Regions). In addition, fish bycatch estimates were provided in numbers of individuals for 

some Southeast and Northwest Region fisheries, and these 

estimates were not included in the calculation of total U.S. 

bycatch, because factors for converting numbers to weights 

were not available. 

Table 5.7 provides estimates of overall regional and national 

fish bycatch (i.e., bycatch associated with all U.S. fisheries 

including those considered in this report and summarized in 

Table 5.6 and those not considered in this report). For each 

region, the overall bycatch ratio (0.167543) was applied to 

the total landings for those fisheries not considered in the 

U.S. National Bycatch Report to compute an estimate of 

fish bycatch (i.e., unknown bycatch was calculated using 

the bycatch ratio for known bycatch and landings). Computation employed the formula bycatch = (0.167543356 × 

Landings) / (1 – 0.167543), where 0.167543 is the overall 

bycatch ratio described above. This provided a basis for 

estimating total bycatch for each region, and the resulting 

bycatch estimates were summed to provide an overall national bycatch estimate of 1.934 B pounds (Table 5.7). 

Bycatch ratios for U.S. commercial fisheries published by 

the FAO (Kelleher 2004) and Harrington et al. (2005) for 

the period 2002–2003 were higher than the estimate calculated herein, which is based on 2005 data (Table 5.8). Correspondingly, the overall total bycatch estimate provided in 

this report is lower than those reported by FAO (Kelleher 

2004; 2.045 B pounds) and Harrington et al. (2005; 2.333 B 

pounds). These reports obtained bycatch estimates and asRegion Fish bycatch (lb) Fish landings (lb)

Marine mammal 

bycatch

(individuals)

Sea turtle 

bycatch 

(individuals)

Seabird

bycatch

(individuals)

Northeast 165,888,000 1,006,370,000 1,287 1,062 Not available

Southeast 682,691,000 219,086,000 233 10,671a 186

Alaska 338,573,000 4,487,167,000 62 0b 7,280

Northwest 25,564,000 332,396,000 37 0b 106

Southwest c – – 242 1 Not available 

Pacific Islands 8,556,000 23,000,000 26 38 197

TOTALS 1,221,272,000 6,068,019,000 1,887 11,772 7,769

a Bycatch mortality estimates from the NMFS 2002 Biological Opinion on the Shrimp Fisheries of the Southeastern United States. Since that time, 

effort in the shrimp fishery, and associated bycatch, has decreased markedly.

b Sea turtle bycatch has not been observed in Alaska or the Northwest Region.

c Southwest region landings are not included, since fish bycatch estimates from the region were not available.

Table 5.6 

Estimated total fisheries landings and bycatch, by type and region, for fisheries considered in 

the U.S. National Bycatch Report. Data are generally from 2005, except for some rare-event 

species estimates for which bycatch data are averaged over a number of years. Weights were 

rounded to the nearest thousand pounds.

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sociated landings data from published and grey literature, 

while the estimates used here are based on raw data, as 

well as data obtained from a range of published and unpublished reports. In addition, FAO (2002) reports that their 

database may be biased in favor of fisheries with high discards and this would result in an overall overestimate of 

bycatch. This type of positive bias is also likely for the Harrington et al. (2005) report, which also included a subset of 

fisheries.

Since both reports drew information from a smaller subset of fisheries than this report and, apparently, were more 

likely to include information on fisheries with noteworthy bycatch concerns, higher overall bycatch rate estimates might 

be expected. Since this report is more comprehensive, the 

bycatch ratio estimate in this report should be considered to 

be the best estimate currently available. It is apparent that 

the authors of the FAO (Kelleher 2004) and Harrington et al. 

(2005) reports encountered considerable difficulty in obtaining comprehensive and accurate catch and bycatch data 

and found it necessary to make extrapolations based on 

a range of assumptions. This report, while more inclusive, 

Table 5.7

Regional and national fish bycatch and ratio estimates for all U.S. commercial fisheries.

2005 landings (lb) 2005 bycatch (lb)

Region

Fisheries 

considered 

in the U.S. 

National 

Bycatch 

Report

Fisheries not 

considered 

in the U.S. 

National 

Bycatch 

Report Total 

% of total 

landings 

sampled

Fisheries 

considered 

in the U.S. 

National 

Bycatch 

Report

Regional 

bycatch 

Ratios a,b

Fisheries not 

considered 

in the U.S. 

National 

Bycatch 

Report Total

Northeast 1,006,370,000 385,816,000 1,392,186,000 0.72 165,888,000 0.14 77,651,000 243,539,000

Southeast 219,086,000 1,093,033,000 1,312,119,000 0.17 682,691,000 0.76 219,987,000 902,678,000

Alaska 4,487,167,000 1,164,140,000 5,651,307,000 0.79 338,573,000 0.07 234,299,000 572,872,000

Northwest 332,396,000 523,464,000 855,860,000 0.39 25,564,000 0.07 105,354,000 130,918,000

Southwest – 367,830,000 367,830,000 0.00 – – 74,031,000 74,031,000

Pacific Islands 23,000,000 9,244,000 32,244,000 0.71 8,556,000 0.27 1,860,000 10,416,000

National Total 6,068,019,000 3,543,527,000 9,611,546,000 0.63 1,221,272,000 0.17 713,182,000 1,934,454,000

a Regional bycatch ratios include only fisheries considered in the U.S. National Bycatch Report. b The formula for the bycatch ratios used in this report is bycatch / (bycatch + landings).

Reference

Year of 

source data

Total bycatch 

estimate (lb) Total landings (lb) Bycatch ratio

U.S. National Bycatch Report (2011) 2005 1,934,454,000 9,611,546,000 0.17

FAO (Kelleher 2004)* 2002 2,045,006,000* 7,373,224,000* 0.22

Harrington et al (2005) 2002–03 2,332,894,000* 8,194,516,000* 0.22

* Converted from metric tons.

Table 5.8

Comparison of fish bycatch estimates for U.S. commercial fisheries from 

the National Bycatch Report with previously published estimates. Bycatch 

ratios are calculated as the total bycatch divided by the total catch (bycatch 

plus landings).

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also required extrapolation of estimates for many fisheries 

and species due to data limitations. This serves to emphasize the need for reporting of accurate and comprehensive 

information of the type presented here, and the importance 

of updating this report frequently and expanding its scope as 

information on additional U.S. fisheries becomes available. 

Bycatch estimates for marine mammals, sea turtles, and 

seabirds were recently reported by Moore et al. (2009). 

which provided an overall national estimate for marine 

mammals only. The estimate of national marine mammal 

mortality by Moore et al. (2009) was 3,029–3,187 animals 

annually for the period 1990–99, while our estimate is 1,887 

animals annually (using 2005 data, although some were for 

a range of years). Because the data presented in Moore et 

al. (2009) are based on averages across a time-frame earlier than that utilized in this report, a direct comparison with 

estimates presented herein is not possible. In a broad comparison, the U.S. National Bycatch Report contains lower 

bycatch estimates, but this report does not speculate as to 

the reasons that the estimates are different. 

5.8 Improving Bycatch Data 

Collection and Estimation

This report identifies national and regional recommendations to improve bycatch data collection and estimation 

(summarized in Table 5.9). Maintenance and expansion 

of existing observer programs and implementation of new 

observer programs for fisheries and species with bycatch 

concerns are of particular importance. Funding levels for 

Recommendation a

 National 

Observer 

Program Northeast Southeast Alaska Northwest Southwest

 Pacific 

Islands Total

Days at sea (DAS) b

needed to maintain current 

observer programs

na 13,208 4,085 39,000 4,596 329 9,739 70,957

DAS needed to expand 

current observer programs na 16,181e 11,790 29,160 792 430 855 59,209

DAS needed to implement 

new observer programs na 615 5,752 0 f 1,058 20 0 7,425

Full-time staff needed to 

implement improvements 

to estimation methods c

10 d 17 7 13 1 1 6 55

a Some recommendations may require additional resources such as equipment or staff support, which are not itemized. b DAS estimates for maintaining and expanding current observer programs are based on 2008 figures. c Observer program staffing and administrative needs are included when budgeting the cost for DAS and are not included in this table.

d Staffing support would not be directly for the National Observer Program, but would be used to assist with implementation of national recommendations. e DAS estimate for the Northeast includes both fish and protected species needs; in some cases, DAS could be shared, and thus the overall number of DAS would be 

reduced.

f For the Alaska Region, much of the increased coverage would be applied to fisheries and vessels that have not previously been observed.

Table 5.9

Resources needed to implement recommendations for improving bycatch data collection and estimation. Details are 

provided in Appendix 5.

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all existing regional observer programs, as of 2008, totaled 

$53.1 M (Federal and industry funds). Many specific recommendations are made here to improve observer program 

data, supplemental data, and analytical techniques within 

each region; these recommendations are summarized 

here, and are presented in detail in the regional sections of 

Section 4. It was not possible to prioritize individual recommendations among regions due to the diversity in fisheries, management needs, and other factors. Eight nationallevel recommendations are provided below. These focus 

on improving data and estimation quality for fisheries and 

species considered in this edition of the U.S. National Bycatch Report, and on considering additional fisheries and 

species in future editons of the report. All recommendations 

should be considered to have high priority, although some 

could be implemented relatively quickly and inexpensively 

while others would require considerable investment of time 

and financial resources. As more fisheries and species are 

evaluated and reported, it is likely that additional resource 

needs will be identified.

Recommendation #1: 

Develop and adopt best practices for estimating bycatch in U.S. commercial fisheries.

Methods for estimating bycatch vary by region and fishery. 

While all methods have been subjected to some level of 

review, many have not been formally peer reviewed. Further work to evaluate and improve current methods and to 

develop new approaches will lead to establishment of best 

practices, including procedures for estimation of variance 

and methods for extrapolating estimates from small sample 

sizes. Where numbers-based methods are currently employed, weight-based approaches should be developed and 

implemented. Improving the quantity and quality of bycatch 

estimates is essential to support the information needs for 

management of commercial fisheries and protected resources. Provision of measures of uncertainty associated 

with bycatch estimates is important for tracking improvements in estimation methods and bycatch trends.

Recommendation #2: 

Improve national and regional catch databases.

Estimation of bycatch rates requires reliable information 

on total catch at the stock level. Inconsistencies between 

regional and national databases impeded estimation of 

stock bycatch ratios in a number of instances. Overall database improvements are necessary to resolve this problem. 

These types of improvements will enhance both quality and 

timelines of bycatch estimates, as well as consistency of 

estimates made by different researchers.

Recommendation #3: 

Review and modify the tier classification system for 

application to commercial and recreational fisheries 

included in future editions of the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report.

Future editions of the U.S. National Bycatch Report should 

include bycatch estimates for additional commercial and 

recreational fisheries. The tier classification system developed in this report should be modified as necessary and 

applied to additional fisheries where possible. Coordination 

will be required with state, tribal, and international organizations to ensure accuracy and consistency. In order to maximize the usefulness of the tier system for tracking change 

and highlighting requirements for improvement, it will need 

to be as comprehensive as possible.

Recommendation #4: 

Increase the number of fishery and species bycatch estimates included in future editions of the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report.

•	 Commercial Fisheries Bycatch Estimates: Efforts should 

be taken to develop bycatch estimates for all commercial 

fisheries where the necessary data are available. These 

estimates should be included in future editions of the U.S. 

National Bycatch Report. In the longer term, new datacollection programs should be implemented to address 

bycatch estimation information needs for those commercial fisheries identified as requiring bycatch monitoring. 

•	 Recreational Fisheries Bycatch Estimates: Inclusion of 

recreational bycatch estimates is necessary to estimate 

overall bycatch mortality for some stocks. Development 

of appropriate bycatch data-collection and analytical 

methods should be encouraged and supported. 

•	 Bycatch Estimates for Key Stocks: Lack of bycatch estimates for some of the key stocks identified in this report 

is of particular concern. Development of bycatch estimates for these stocks should be prioritized and should 

be included in future editions of the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report. 

Providing additional stock- and fishery-specific bycatch 

estimates in future editions of the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report will provide new information to the public on the 

overall status of bycatch in the Nation’s fisheries. Scientists and managers will be able to make use of this information for assessment and management, for evaluating 

the effectiveness of bycatch reduction measures, and 

for identifying areas where improved management and/

or innovative bycatch reduction methods are required. 

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Recommendation #5: 

Implement specific bycatch data-collection and estimation improvements in regional programs. 

Several recommendations were made for improvement of 

bycatch data collection and estimation within the regions. 

These include discard mortality studies; outreach; database 

infrastructure improvements; and collection and processing of supplemental data, especially logbooks, VMS, and 

strandings and entanglement data, which are often essential for estimating bycatch. These types of data are required 

in many bycatch estimation approaches and are often lacking or of poor quality. Thus these types of improvements 

will result in overall improvements in bycatch data quality 

and the number of fisheries and stocks for which bycatch 

estimates are available. 

Recommendation #6: 

Maintain and expand existing regional observer programs.

Observer programs have been implemented in all NMFS regions; observer data are considered to be the most reliable 

basis for bycatch estimation. Many U.S. observer programs 

are at suboptimal coverage levels, which vary depending on 

the characteristics of a fishery and the species of interest. 

Specific recommendations for maintaining and expanding 

observer coverage to optimal levels in existing programs 

are made in the regional sections. Maintenance of these 

programs is essential for ongoing estimation of bycatch and 

evaluation of mitigation measures. Expanding coverage of 

existing observer programs will improve the accuracy and 

precision of bycatch estimates in many instances. 

Recommendation #7: 

Implement new observer programs for fisheries and 

species with bycatch concerns.

New observer programs are recommended in most regions 

for a total of 32 fisheries. These fisheries were identified as 

fisheries of focus, as describesd in Section 3 (e.g. fisheries with a high bycatch ratio, bycatch of key stocks, or that 

were identified through the qualitative process). Pilot observer coverage has been recommended by the applicable 

regional team as an initial step address bycatch concerns in 

several instances. Recommendations for new observer programs also include electronic monitoring in some regions. 

Implementing new pilot observer programs will provide information on bycatch in fisheries where bycatch information is currently unavailable or available only in the form of 

unverified industry reports. 

Recommendation #8: 

Evaluate electronic monitoring systems, conduct pilot 

studies, and operationalize electronic monitoring technology where appropriate.

Use of video cameras and other electronic data acquisition systems (collectively termed electronic monitoring or 

EM) has increased markedly during the last decade. Electronic monitoring has been used successfully for compliance monitoring and verification of self-reporting, and can 

provide useful information on catch quantity and composition, although species identification is only possible in some 

instances. The approach holds promise for addressing certain types of objectives (e.g., monitoring for compliance with 

discard prohibitions) and should be able to provide more 

detailed information on catch and bycatch composition as 

the technologies advance.

5.9 Conclusions

The recommendations included in this report provide guidance to the Agency in setting priorities for maintaining existing bycatch data-collection programs, expanding programs 

where more reliable bycatch information is needed, and 

implementing new bycatch data-collection programs for 

fisheries with potential bycatch concerns. Implementation 

of these recommendations will assist NMFS in increasing 

baseline knowledge of bycatch levels, help identify fisheries 

and/or stocks with potential bycatch concerns, and improve 

the monitoring of bycatch levels over time. Improved bycatch estimates will support the implementation of MSArequired annual catch limits (ACLs) and new management 

approaches such as catch-share programs, and in general 

will aid the NMFS in addressing fishery-specific conservation and management concerns.

Two performance measures have been developed from the 

information compiled in this report: 1) the tier classification 

system, which will be used to monitor the quality of bycatch 

estimates in U.S. commercial fisheries, and 2) a list of key 

stocks, which will be used to monitor bycatch trends over 

time. These performance measures will assist NMFS in 

continuing to improve the effectiveness of bycatch monitoring programs, as well as reducing bycatch in key fisheries. 

This is the first in a series of U.S. National Bycatch Reports. 

This edition contains bycatch estimates for federally managed commercial fisheries or with relevant Federal datacollection programs. Future editions will include timely and 

period updates on bycatch estimates for Federal fisheries, 

as well as estimates for state, international, and tribal fisheries where data are available. Inclusion of bycatch estimates 

bQ-5.0 text.indd 438 2/5/12 
439

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

for stocks with high recreational bycatch mortality will also 

be considered. Over time, the U.S. National Bycatch Report 

will provide NMFS, other fisheries management organizations, and the public with reliable bycatch estimates for all 

living marine resources which can be used to more effectively meet NMFS’ stewardship mission.

bQ-5.0 text.indd 439 2/5/12 
440

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

General Recommendations

National All Fisheries

The NMFS should continue internal review of regional 

bycatch estimation methods and evaluate the potential 

development and adoption of a national standardized 

method for estimating bycatch in U.S. commercial 

fisheries.

NA High

National All Fisheries

The tier classification system should be applied to all 

fisheries included in future editions of the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report, including state, tribal, and international 

fisheries.

NA Medium

National All Fisheries

A modified tier classification system should be 

developed to evaluate recreational fishery bycatch 

estimates.

NA High

National All Fisheries

Bycatch estimates should be provided in future editions 

of the U.S. National Bycatch Report for all key stocks, to 

allow for monitoring of bycatch trends over time at both 

the regional and national levels.

NA High

National All Fisheries Fishery bycatch estimates should be calculated for 

additional U.S. commercial fisheries. NA Medium

National All Fisheries

Where fishery bycatch estimates are calculated in 

numbers of fish, conversion factors to pounds should 

be developed or bycatch data should be collected in 

pounds of fish.

NA High

National All Fisheries

Improvements should be made in the collection of total 

catch figures by individual species, to allow calculation 

of stock bycatch ratios.

NA High

Northeast All Fisheries Initiate study of discard mortality (via special studies, 

study fleets, etc.) for multiple fisheries. NA High

Northeast All Fisheries Improve database infrastructure for multiple fisheries. NA High

Northeast All Fisheries

Implement Serious Injury Protocol for determining 

serious injuries, and update observer program datacollection forms (protected species).

NA High

Northeast All Fisheries Conduct assessment of needs for seabird bycatch data 

collection and estimation (protected species). NA High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Informational mailing to gillnetters using vessel trip 

report forms (protected species). NA High

Table 5.A 

Recommendations by region for improving bycatch data-collection and estimation methods, 

including estimates of observer DAS and feasibility of implementation. Requirements for 

maintaining existing programs are not listed for individual fisheries, but are listed as a total cost 

for each region (**). Recommendations in this table are summarized from information contained 

in the regional sections; please refer to Sections 4.1–4.6 for detailed information on the DAS and 

feasibility, as well as rationale, for each recommendation included herein.

Appendix 5 Recommendations for Improvement.

R-5.0 Appendix tables.indd 440 12/28/11 
441

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

General Recommendations (cont.)

Northeast New England 

Gillnet Fisheries

Informational mailings for all fisheries in New England 

gillnet fisheries using vessel trip report forms (protected 

species).

NA High

Southeast

Southeastern 

Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico Shark 

Bottom Longline 

Fishery

Instruct Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark 

bottom longline fishers to report to one logbook. NA Low

Observer Coverage

Maintain and Expand Current Observer Coverage

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the Mid-Atlantic general category open-area scallop 

dredge fishery.

** High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels 

in the Mid-Atlantic limited-access closed-area scallop 

dredge fishery.

** High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels 

in the Mid-Atlantic limited-access open-area scallop 

dredge fishery.

** High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the Mid-Atlantic general category scallop trawl fishery. ** High

Northeast

New England 

Bottom Longline 

Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England bottom longline fishery. ** High

Northeast

New England 

Bottom Longline 

Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England haddock sector longline. ** High

Northeast New England 

Gillnet Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels for 

the New England extra-large-mesh gillnet fishery. ** High

Northeast New England 

Gillnet Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels for 

the New England large-mesh gillnet fishery. ** High

Northeast New England Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England large-mesh otter trawl fishery. ** High

Northeast New England Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England B REG DAS large mesh otter trawl 

fishery.

** High

Northeast New England Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England US/CAN area large-mesh otter trawl 

fishery.

** High

Northeast New England Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England US/CAN area small-mesh otter trawl 

fishery.

** High

Northeast New England Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Increase observer coverage in the New England smallmesh otter trawl fishery. 1,562 High

Northeast

New England 

Scallop Dredge 

Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels but 

improve temporal coverage in the New England general 

category closed-area scallop dredge fishery.

** High

Table 5.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Observer Coverage

Maintain and Expand Current Observer Coverage (cont.)

Northeast

New England 

Scallop Dredge 

Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England limited-access closed-area scallop 

dredge fishery.

** High

Northeast

New England 

Scallop Dredge 

Fisheries

Increase observer coverage in the New England limitedaccess open area scallop dredge fishery. 91 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Increase observer coverage of the Mid-Atlantic extralarge-mesh gillnet fishery to obtain pilot coverage. 20 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Increase observer coverage to achieve 30% uncertainty a

across all Mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries (protected 

species).

500 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Increase observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic largemesh otter trawl fishery . 342 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Increase observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic smallmesh otter trawl fishery. 659 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Increase observer coverage to achieve 30% uncertainty a

across all Mid-Atlantic otter trawl fisheries (protected 

species).

500 High

Northeast New England 

Gillnet Fisheries

Increase observer coverage to achieve 30% CV across 

all New England gillnet fisheries (protected species). 600 High

Northeast

Mid-Atlantic MidWater Paired Trawl 

Fishery

Deploy an additional observer for all paired-trawl trips in 

the Mid-Atlantic mid-water paired trawl fishery. NA High

Northeast

Mid-Atlantic MidWater Otter Trawl 

Fishery

Increase observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic midwater otter trawl fishery. 512 High

Northeast New England 

Handline Fishery

Increase observer coverage in the New England 

handline fishery to obtain pilot coverage. 110 High

Northeast

New England 

Purse Seine 

Fishery

Maintain current observer program coverage levels in 

the New England purse seine fishery. ** High

Northeast

New England MidWater Otter Trawl 

Fishery

Increase observer coverage in the New England midwater otter trawl. 35 High

Northeast

New England 

Shrimp Trawl 

Fishery

Maintain current observer program coverage levels but 

improve temporal coverage in the New England shrimp 

trawl fishery.

** High

Northeast New England Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Increase observer coverage to achieve 30% uncertainty a

across all New England otter trawl fisheries (protected 

species).

10,000 Moderate

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Expand number of fishing effort variables collected by 

states across all Mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries. NA Low

Northeast

New England 

Single Mid-Water 

Trawl Fishery

Increase observer coverage of the New England single 

mid-water trawl fishery (protected species). 1,250 Moderate

Table 5.A (continued)

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Observer Coverage

Maintain and Expand Current Observer Coverage (cont.)

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Direct observer coverage to areas of suspected high 

sea turtle bycatch. Unknown Unknown

TOTAL NORTHEAST TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 13,208

TOTAL NORTHEAST TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGE 16,181

TOTAL NORTHEAST TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 29,389

Southeast

Gulf of Mexico 

Reef Fish Bottom 

Longline Fishery

Maintain and refine observer program, including 

determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% 

uncertainty a for the ten most commonly discarded 

species, for the Gulf of Mexico reef fish bottom longline 

fishery.

1,667 High

Southeast

Gulf of Mexico 

Shrimp Trawl 

Fishery

Maintain and refine current Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl 

observer program. 5,000 High

Southeast

Large Coastal 

and Small Coastal 

Shark Aggregate 

Fishery

Increase observer coverage for the large coastal and 

small coastal shark aggregate (drift, strike, and bottom 

gillnet) fishery.

540 High

Southeast

North Carolina 

Inshore Gillnet 

Fishery

Expand North Carolina inshore (bays and rivers) 

gillnet observer program to cover any additional open 

components of the fishery.

250 High

Southeast

Southeastern 

Atlantic Shrimp 

Trawl Fishery

Maintain and refine current Southeastern Atlantic shrimp 

trawl observer program. 833 High

Southeast

Southeastern 

Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico HMS 

Pelagic Longline 

Fishery

Increase observer coverage for the Southeastern 

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS pelagic longline fishery 

to achieve 30% uncertainty a in all strata.

3,500 Moderate

TOTAL SOUTHEAST TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 4,085

TOTAL SOUTHEAST TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGE 11,790

TOTAL SOUTHEAST TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 15,875

Alaska Multiple Fisheries Maintain current levels for currently observed fisheries. ** High

Alaska Multiple Fisheries Observer program operations and administration 

adjustment. NA High

Alaska Multiple Fisheries

Increase coverage for sector observed at 30% and 

implement coverage for unobserved sectors (<60 feet, 

Pacific halibut fishery).

20,000 High

Alaska Multiple Fisheries Improve length of AMMOP observation cycle from 14 to 

5 years. 9,160 High

Alaska Multiple Fisheries Hire 3 to 5 FTEs to support AMMOP. NA High

TOTAL ALASKA TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb,c 39,000

TOTAL ALASKA TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEd 29,160

TOTAL ALASKA TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb,c,d 68,160

Table 5.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Observer Coverage

Maintain and Expand Current Observer Coverage (cont.)

Northwest Multiple Fisheries Maintain current levels for currently observed fisheries. ** High

Northwest

West Coast 

Groundfish NonTrawl Gear, NonEndorsed Fixed 

Gear

Increase observer coverage for West Coast groundfish 

non-trawl gear, non-endorsed fixed gear. 167 High

Northwest CA/OR Nearshore 

Rockfish Fishery

Increase observer coverage of the California/Oregon 

nearshore rockfish fishery. 625 High

TOTAL NORTHWEST TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb,c 4,596

TOTAL NORTHWEST TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEd 792

TOTAL NORTHWEST TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb,c,d 5,388

Southwest

California Coastal 

Purse Seine 

Fishery (anchovy, 

mackerel, sardine)

Increase observer coverage of the California coastal 

purse seine for anchovy, mackerel, and sardine fishery 

to 10%.

50 High

Southwest

California Coastal 

Purse Seine 

Fishery (tuna)

Increase observer coverage of the California coastal 

purse seine fishery for tuna to 100%. 20 High

Southwest

California Coastal 

Purse Seine 

Fishery (squid)

Increase observer coverage of the California coastal 

purse seine fishery for squid to at least 10% of all sets. 110 High

Southwest

California SmallMesh Drift Gillnet 

Fishery

Increase observer coverage of the California smallmesh drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 inches and < 14 

inches) to 20%.

20 High

Southwest California/Oregon 

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Increase observer coverage of the California/Oregon 

drift gillnet (mesh size >14 inches) fishery targeting 

swordfish and thresher shark to 30%.

130 Moderate

Southwest California Set 

Gillnet Fishery

Increase observer coverage of the California set gillnet 

(mesh size up to 14 inches) to 20%. 100 Moderate

TOTAL SOUTHWEST TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 329

TOTAL SOUTHWEST TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGE 430

TOTAL SOUTHWEST TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 759

Pacific Islands 

Hawaii Deepand Shallow-Set 

Pelagic Longline 

Fisheries

Maintain current observer program coverage levels 

for the Hawaii deep- and shallow-set pelagic longline 

fisheries.

** High

Pacific Islands 

American Samoa 

Pelagic Longline 

Fishery

Increase observer program coverage levels for the 

American Samoa pelagic longline fishery to 40%. 855 High

TOTAL PACIFIC ISLANDS TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 9,739

TOTAL PACIFIC ISLANDS TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGE 855

TOTAL PACIFIC ISLANDS TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb 10,594

NATIONAL TOTAL TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb,c,d 70,957

NATIONAL TOTAL TO EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEd 59,208

NATIONAL TOTAL TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND CURRENT OBSERVER COVERAGEb,c,d 130,165

Table 5.A (continued)

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445

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Observer Coverage

Implement New Observer Programs

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

general category closed-area scallop dredge fishery. 12 High

Northeast

New England 

Scallop Dredge 

Fisheries

Implement pilot observer coverage in the New England 

general category open-area scallop dredge fishery. 127 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Implement pilot observer program for the Mid-Atlantic 

large-mesh gillnet fishery. 91 High

Northeast New England 

Gillnet Fisheries

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England 

small-mesh gillnet fishery. 12 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Implement pilot observer program for the Mid-Atlantic 

small-mesh gillnet fishery. 15 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Bottom 

Longline Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

bottom longline fishery. 19 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Crab 

Pot Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for Mid-Atlantic crab 

pots. 12 High

Northeast

Mid-Atlantic Clam/

Quahog Dredge 

Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

clam/quahog dredge fishery. 21 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Fish 

Pots/Traps Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for Mid-Atlantic fish 

pots/traps. 20 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Atlantic 

Handline Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic 

handline fishery. 33 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic 

Lobster Pots

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

lobster pot fishery. 22 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Purse 

Seine Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

purse seine fishery. 6 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Shrimp 

Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

shrimp trawl fishery. 19 High

Northeast New England Crab 

Pots

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England 

crab pot fishery. 25 High

Northeast

New England 

Clam/Quahog 

Dredge Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England 

clam/quahog dredge fishery. 12 High

Northeast New England Fish 

Pots/Traps

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England 

fish pot/trap fishery. 12 High

Northeast New England 

Lobster Pots

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England 

lobster pot fishery. 110 High

Northeast

New England 

Scottish Seine 

Fishery

Implement pilot observer coverage for the New England 

Scottish seine fishery. 23 High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Implement observer program coverage for general 

category vessels operating in open areas. Unknown High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Trawl Fisheries

Implement pilot observer coverage for the Mid-Atlantic 

limited-access scallop trawl fishery. 24 High

Table 5.A (continued)

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Observer Coverage

Implement New Observer Programs (cont.)

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Trawl Fisheries

Implement observer program coverage for general 

category vessels operating in open areas. Unknown High

TOTAL NORTHEAST TO IMPLEMENT NEW OBSERVER PROGRAMS 615

Southeast

South Atlantic 

Snapper–Grouper 

Bottom Longline 

Fishery

Develop a pilot observer program, including 

determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% 

uncertainty a for the ten most commonly discarded 

species, for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper bottom 

longline fishery.

1,600 High

Southeast

South Atlantic 

Snapper–Grouper 

Handline Fishery

Develop a pilot observer program, including 

determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% 

uncertainty a for the ten most commonly discarded 

species, for the South Atlantic snapper–grouper 

handline fishery.

1,600 High

Southeast

South Atlantic and 

Gulf of Mexico Reef 

Fish Fishery

Develop pilot programs to test the use of electronic 

video monitoring on reef fish vessels in the Gulf of 

Mexico and South Atlantic to augment data collected by 

observers. Pilot project on six vessels for 2 months.

120 Low

Southeast

Gulf of Mexico 

Coastal Pelagic 

Troll Fishery

Develop a pilot observer program, including 

determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% 

uncertainty a for the ten most commonly discarded 

species, for the Gulf of Mexico coastal pelagic troll 

fishery.

1,600 Moderate

Southeast

South Atlantic 

Coastal Migratory 

Pelagic Troll 

Fishery

Develop a pilot observer program, including 

determination of needed sample size to achieve 30% 

uncertainty a for the ten most commonly discarded 

species, for the South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic 

troll fishery.

416 Moderate

Southeast

Gulf of Mexico 

Shrimp Trawl 

Fishery

Develop remote observer program (underwater video, 

etc.) for Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery to document 

takes.

416 High

TOTAL SOUTHEAST TO IMPLEMENT NEW OBSERVER PROGRAMS 5,752

Northwest

West Coast MidWater Trawl Hake 

Fishery

Test and deploy electronic monitoring systems aboard 

the entire West Coast mid-water trawl hake fishery for 

at-sea catcher vessels.

225 High

Northwest

West Coast NonTribal Ocean 

Salmon Troll 

Fishery

Restore and expand state and tribal observer programs 

for the West Coast non-tribal ocean salmon troll fishery. 750 Moderate

Northwest West Coast Tribal 

Ocean Troll Fishery

Restore and expand state and tribal observer programs 

for the West Coast tribal ocean troll fishery. 83 Moderate

TOTAL NORTHWEST TO IMPLEMENT NEW OBSERVER PROGRAMS 1058

Southwest

California 

Swordfish Harpoon 

Fishery

Implement a pilot observer program for the California 

swordfish harpoon fishery at 10% observer coverage. 20 High

TOTAL SOUTHWEST TO IMPLEMENT NEW OBSERVER PROGRAMS 20

NATIONAL TOTAL TO IMPLEMENT NEW OBSERVER PROGRAMSd 7,425

NATIONAL TOTAL OBSERVER COVERAGE COST (MAINTAIN AND EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS, 

AND IMPLEMENT NEW PROGRAMS) d 137,591

Table 5.A (continued)

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NATIONAL OVERVIEW

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Supplemental Data

Northeast All fisheries Improve industry data via expanded audits (fish and 

PR). NA High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Gillnet 

Fisheries

Expand number of fishing effort variables collected by 

states. NA Low

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries

Update vessel trip report logbooks to include a field 

for BRD presence/absence, and whether BRD was 

functioning properly.

NA Unknown

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Trawl Fisheries

Improve vessel trip report gear log to capture additional 

gear information. NA Unknown

Southeast Multiple Fisheries Change logbook system to define target by set for 

multiple fisheries. NA Low

Southeast

Gulf of Mexico 

Shrimp Trawl 

Fishery

Revise logbook and trip ticket programs for Gulf of 

Mexico shrimp trawl fishery to better estimate effort. NA Low

Southeast

Large Coastal 

and Small Coastal 

Shark Aggregate

Relate large coastal and small coastal shark aggregate 

(drift, strike, and bottom gillnet) fishery observer and 

logbook databases.

NA

High; 

currently 

being worked 

on

Southeast

Southeastern 

Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico Shark 

Bottom Longline 

Fishery

Correlate Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 

shark bottom longline fishery observer and logbook 

databases.

NA

High; 

currently 

being worked 

on

Northwest

California/Oregon 

Nearshore Rockfish 

Fishery

Explore additional sources of data for improving 

estimation methods in the California/Oregon nearshore 

rockfish fishery.

NA High

Analytical Approach

Northeast Multiple Fisheries Improve analytic approach via advances in the methods 

of estimators. NA High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Hire employee to process vessel monitoring system 

data for use in bycatch estimation in Mid-Atlantic 

limited-access open-area scallop dredge fishery 

(protected species).

NA Unknown

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Dredge Fisheries

Investigate effectiveness of analyzing the sea turtle 

bycatch rate by pooling data over year (protected 

species).

NA High

Northeast Mid-Atlantic Scallop 

Trawl Fisheries

Hire employee to process vessel monitoring system 

data for use in bycatch estimation. NA Unknown

Northeast New England 

Gillnet Fisheries

Apply new regression methods to estimate bycatch 

of marine mammals in New England gillnet fisheries 

(protected species).

NA High

Alaska Multiple Fisheries Catch Accounting System (CAS) improvements (onetime cost). Unknown High

Alaska Multiple Fisheries Improve seabird monitoring and bycatch estimation 

(one-time cost). Unknown High

Northwest Multiple Fisheries Fund additional data analyst time to improve estimation 

methods for West Coast Groundfish Observer Program. NA High

Table 5.A (continued)

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448

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY RECOMMENDATION DAS FEASIBILITY

Analytical Approach (cont.)

Southwest Multiple Fisheries Hire finfish bycatch analyst to generate annual bycatch 

estimates for multiple fisheries NA High

Southwest California Pelagic 

Longline Fisheries

Aggregate bycatch of the California pelagic longline 

fishery with longline fisheries operating out of Hawaii to 

avoid data confidentiality issues. 

NA High

Pacific Islands 

Hawaii Deepand Shallow-Set 

Longline Fisheries

Develop and maintain statistical estimator for discarded 

fish weight in the Hawaii deep- and shallow-set longline 

fisheries.

NA High

Pacific Islands 

Hawaii Deepand Shallow-Set 

Longline Fisheries

Develop and maintain statistical estimator for discarded 

fish weight in the American Samoa Longline fishery. NA High

DAS REQUIREMENTS TO BE MAINTAINEDb,c 70,957

TOTAL ADDITIONAL DAS NEED TO MEET REPORT RECOMMENDATIONSc,d 66,634

a Coefficient of variation (CV).

b Estimations of requirements to maintain current observer coverage are based on FY 2008 data.

c Estimates include DAS that are industry funded.

d Does not include unknowns or staff time.

Table 5.A (continued)

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449

REFERENCES

Section 6

References

S-6.0 References.indd 449 12/28/11 
450

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Photo on previous page: Cliff fishing with a seine net near Sitka, 

Alaska. Photo: David Csepp, NMFS.

S-6.0 References.indd 450 12/28/11 
451

REFERENCES

 section 6 References

AFSC. 2006. North Pacific groundfish observer manual. 

Alaska Fisheries Science Center, North Pacific Groundfish 

Observer Program, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA. 

Available from http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/Manual_

pages/MANUAL_pdfs/manual2007.pdf.

Allison, P. 1999. Logistic Regression Using the SAS System: Theory and Application. SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, 

304 p.

Alverson, D. L., M. H. Freeberg, S. A. Murawski, and J. G. 

Pope. 1994. A global assessment of fisheries bycatch and 

discards. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 339, 235 p.

Andersen, M. S., K. A. Forney, T. V. N. Cole, T. Eagle, R. 

Angliss, K. Long, L. Barre, L. Van Atta, D. Borggaard, T. 

Rowles, B. Norberg, J. Whaley, and L. Engleby. 2007. Differentiating serious and non-serious injury of marine mammals. Report of the Serious Injury Technical Workshop, 

10–13 September 2007, Seattle, Washington. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFSOPR-39, 94 p.

Babcock, E. A., and E. K. Pikitch. 2003. How much observer 

coverage is enough to adequately estimate bycatch? Pew 

Institute for Ocean Science and Oceana, 36 p.

Barlow, J. 1989. Estimating sample size required to monitor marine mammal mortality in California gillnet fisheries. 

Southwest Fisheries Science Center Administrative Report 

LJ-89-08, 8 p.

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Rossman, M. C., and R. L. Merrick. 1999. Harbor porpoise 

bycatch in the Northeast multispecies sink gillnet fishery 

and the Mid-Atlantic coastal gillnet fishery in 1998 and during January–May 1999. Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document 99-17, 36 p.

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longline portion of the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery July 

2006 through 2007 based on observer data. NMFS Southeast 

Fisheries Science Center Contribution PRD-07/08-15, 21 p.

Smith, T., D. Palka, and K. Bisack. 1993. Biological significance of bycatch of harbor porpoise in the Gulf of Maine 

demersal gillnet fishery. Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document 93-23, 15 p.

Snedecor, G. W., and W. G. Cochran. 1967. Statistical 

Methods. Iowa State University Press, 593 p.

Stephens, A., and A. MacCall. 2004. A multispecies approach to subsetting logbook data for purposes of estimating CPUE. Fisheries Research 70:299–310.

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reporting methodology omnibus amendment: Sampling 

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Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, Honolulu, 

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WPFMC. 2007. Shark depredation and unwanted bycatch 

in pelagic longline fisheries: Industry practices and attitudes, and shark avoidance strategies. Western Pacific 

Fisheries Management Council, Honolulu, HI. Available at 

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Yeung, C. 1999. Estimates of marine mammal and marine 

turtle bycatch by the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet in 

1998. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical 

Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-430, 26 p. Available from 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Dr., 

Miami, FL 33149.

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APPENDIX A

Appendices

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Photo on previous page: Steller sea lions hauled 

out on rocky shore. Credit: NOAA.

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APPENDIX A

Appendix A

Acronyms Used in the U.S. National Bycatch Report

ACCSP Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program

ACL annual catch limit

ADFG Alaska Department of Fish and Game

AFA American Fisheries Act

AFSC Alaska Fisheries Science Center [of NMFS]

AKR	 	 Alaska Regional Office [of NMFS]

AIDCP Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program

ALWTRP Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

AMMOP Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program

A-SHOP At-Sea Hake Observer Program

ASMFC Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

ATCA Atlantic Tunas Convention Act

BCC Birds of Conservation Concern

BDTRP Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan

BiOp Biological Opinion

BRD bycatch reduction device

B Reg B Regular [days at sea]

BSAI Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 

CAS Catch Accounting System [Alaska]

CCAMLR Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

CDFG California Department of Fish and Game

CDQ Community Development Quota [western Alaska]

CFMC Caribbean Fisheries Management Council

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CNMI Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

CPS coastal pelagic species

CPUE catch per unit of effort

CV	 	 coefficient of variation

DAS days at sea

DMR discard mortality rate

DPS distinct population segment

EEZ exclusive economic zone

EIS environmental impact statement

EM electronic monitoring

EPO	 	 eastern Pacific Ocean

ESA Endangered Species Act

ETP	 	 eastern tropical Pacific

FAD	 	 fish-aggregating device

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FFA Forum Fisheries Agency

FMP	 	 fishery management plan

FSSI Fish Stock Sustainability Index

FTE full-time equivalent

GAM generalized additive model

GLM generalized linear model

GMFMC Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council

GMT	 	 groundfish management team

GOA Gulf of Alaska

GPS global positioning system

GSI	 	 genetic stock identification

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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GSMFC Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission

GulfFIN Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Information Network

HAPC habitat area of particular concern

HMS highly migratory species

HRM hooking release mortality

IATTC Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

ICCAT International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas

IERS Interagency Electronic Reporting Program [Alaska]

IFQ	 	 individual fishing quota

IPHC	 	 International Pacific Halibut Commission

IPOA international plan of action

IT information technology

ITQ individual transferable quota

ITS incidental take statement

LAPP limited-access privilege program

LCR Lower Columbia River [Chinook salmon population]

LCS large coastal species [shark complex]

LME large marine ecosystem

LOA length overall [vessel]

MAFMC Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MMAP Marine Mammal Authorization Program

MMHSRP Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act

MP milllions of pounds

MPA marine protected area

MSA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

MSRA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management

 Reauthorization Act of 2006

NAFO Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization

NCRPP Northeast Cooperative Research Partners Program

NED	 	 Northeast Distant [fishing area]

NEFMC New England Fishery Management Council

NEFOP Northeast Fisheries Observer Program

NEFSC Northeast Fisheries Science Center [of NMFS]

NERO	 	 Northeast Regional Office [of NMFS]

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service, aka NOAA Fisheries

NMML National Marine Mammal Lab

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOP National Observer Program

NPFMC	 	 North Pacific Fishery Management Council

NPGOP		 North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program

NPOA National Plan of Action

NWFSC Northwest Fisheries Science Center [of NMFS]

NWHI Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

ODFW Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

OFL	 	 optimal fishing level

OY optimum yield

PacFIN	 	 Pacific Fisheries Information Network

PBR potential biological removal

PFMC	 	 Pacific Fishery Management Council

PIFSC	 	 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center [of NMFS]

PIRO	 	 Pacific Islands Regional Office [of NMFS]

PLL Pelagic Longline Logbook [program]

PLTRT Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team

POP Pelagic Observer Program

PR protected resources

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PSC prohibited species catch

PSGNA Pamlico Sound Gillnet Restricted Area

PSMFC	 	 Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

RFMO	 	 regional fisheries management organization

RPA reasonable and prudent alternatives

RPM reasonable and prudent measures

SAFE	 	 stock assessment and fishery valuation [report]

SAFMC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

SAP special-access program

SBRM standardized bycatch reporting methodology

SCRS Standing Committee on Research and Statistics

SEDAR Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review

SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center [of NMFS]

SERO	 	 Southeast Regional Office [of NMFS]

SFA Sustainable Fisheries Act

SWFSC Southwest Fisheries Science Center [of NMFS]

TAC total allowable catch

TED turtle excluder device

TRP take-reduction plan

TRT take-reduction team

URI University of Rhode Island

USCG U.S. Coast Guard

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

UWR Upper Willamette River [Chinook salmon population]

V variance

VMS vessel monitoring system

VTR vessel trip report

WCGOP		 West Coast Groundfish Observer Program

WCPFC		 Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission

WDFW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

WPFMC		 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council

WWF World Wildlife Fund

ZMRG Zero Mortality Rate Goal

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APPENDIX B

Appendix B Domestic Statutes and 

Regulations and International Agreements

Domestic Statutes and Regulations

Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the Federal 

government to protect and conserve species and populations that are endangered or threatened with extinction, 

and to conserve the ecosystems on which these species 

depend. Some threatened and endangered species, including all sea turtle species and certain species of salmon, 

seabirds, and marine mammals, are captured as bycatch in 

the Nation’s fisheries. The ESA requires development of a 

recovery plan that identifies criteria and actions to recover 

each listed species. Recovery plans for marine species 

generally include reducing incidental capture of protected 

species in fishing operations as a first-priority action that 

is necessary to prevent extinction or irreversible declines. 

In some cases, fisheries can be restricted or terminated 

because they are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a species. Other provisions of the ESA ensure that 

sources of mortality for protected species are identified and 

minimized or mitigated.

ESA Section 9 prohibits the take of endangered species 

within the United States or the territorial sea of the United 

States, and on the high seas. “Take” is defined by the ESA 

as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, 

capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct” (16 U.S.C. 1536(18)). NMFS has issued regulations, 

pursuant to 4(d) of the ESA, extending the prohibition of 

take, with exceptions, to threatened species. The ESA does 

allow for exceptions to the take prohibitions. NMFS may 

grant exceptions to the take prohibitions with an incidental 

take statement or an incidental take permit issued under 

Section 7 or 10, respectively. Of particular relevance for 

fisheries bycatch is Section 7, which provides that “Each 

Federal agency shall . . . insure that any action authorized, 

funded, or carried out by such agency . . . is not likely to 

jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or 

adverse modification of habitat of such species” (16 U.S.C. 

§1536(a)(2)).

Under Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA, Federal agencies must 

consult with NOAA Fisheries on activities that may affect a 

listed species. For commercial fisheries, NMFS must formally consult with itself on the effects fisheries management plans may have on listed species and their critical 

habitat. These Section 7 Consultations are designed to assist Federal agencies in fulfilling their duty to ensure their 

actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 

of a species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. 

Should an action be determined by NMFS to be likely to 

jeopardize a species or adversely modify critical habitat, 

NMFS will suggest Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives 

(RPAs) that would not violate Section 7(a)(2). Biological 

Opinions document NMFS’ opinion as to whether a Federal action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of 

listed species, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. Where appropriate, biological opinions include an incidental take statement that provides an 

exemption for the take of listed species while specifying the 

amount or extent of take allowed, the RPMs necessary to 

minimize impacts from the Federal action, and the Terms 

and Conditions with which the action agency must comply.

In 2007, the NMFS Office of Protected Resources developed a regulation requiring U.S. fishing vessels, recreational or commercial, operating in U.S. territorial waters, the 

U.S. EEZ or on the high seas, or vessels otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. where sea turtles may be 

present and interactions likely to occur, to carry observers 

when requested to do so by NMFS. Previous ESA regulations allowed only for limited, temporary monitoring of vessels suspected of sea turtle interactions, usually only after 

an emergency event, such as a mass sea turtle stranding, 

or under a Biological Opinion. Consequently, NMFS relied 

on the MSA to observe sea turtles as they are considered 

“fish” under the MSA, and relied on the Marine Mammal 

Protection Agency (MMPA), which allowed sea turtle interactions to be recorded although the primary authority was 

to observe marine mammal interactions. This approach did 

not always allow the agency to monitor fisheries it needed 

to monitor or to design monitoring programs to optimize 

collection of sea turtle bycatch data. The 2007 regulation 

will enable NMFS to learn more about interactions between 

fishing operations and sea turtles, to evaluate existing measures to reduce sea turtle takes, and to determine whether 

additional measures to address sea turtle bycatch may be 

necessary.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Act

In 1996 Congress passed the Sustainable Fisheries Act 

which made major revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA; 16 

U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) including significant new provisions 

on bycatch. Congress defined the term bycatch (see 16 

U.S.C. 1802(2)) and required that bycatch be minimized to 

the extent practicable. Although the bycatch reduction and 

monitoring requirement described in the 1996 MSA amendments applied to a broad range of living marine species, including finfish, shellfish, sea turtles, and deep-water corals, 

they did not apply to marine mammals or seabirds. 

Under MSA National Standard 9, “conservation and management measures shall, to the extent practicable, (A) 

minimize bycatch and (B) to the extent bycatch cannot be 

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

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avoided, minimize the mortality of such bycatch” (16 U.S.C. 

§ 1851(9)). MSA section 303 of the 1996 MSA expands on 

this requirement by mandating that fishery management 

plans “establish a standardized reporting methodology to 

assess the amount and type of bycatch occurring in the 

fishery, and include conservation and management measures that, to the extent practicable and in the following priority (A) minimize bycatch; and (B) minimize the mortality of 

bycatch which cannot be avoided” (16 U.S.C. § 1853(11)).

NMFS regulations provide the following guidance on factors 

that should be considered in determining the practicability 

of a particular management action to minimize bycatch or 

the mortality of bycatch. They state: “A determination of 

whether a conservation or management measure minimizes bycatch or bycatch mortality to the extent practicable, 

consistent with other national standards and maximization 

of net benefits to the Nation, should consider the following 

factors: (A) Population effects for bycatch species; (B) Ecological effects due to changes in the bycatch of that species 

(effects on other species in the ecosystem); (C) Changes 

in the bycatch of other species of fish and the resulting 

population and ecosystem effects; (D) Effects on marine 

mammals and birds; (E) Changes in fishing, processing, 

disposal, and marketing costs; (F) Changes in fishing practices and behavior of fishermen; (G) Changes in research, 

administration, and enforcement costs and management 

effectiveness; (H) Changes in the economic, social, or cultural value of fishing activities and non-consumptive uses of 

fishery resources; (I) Changes in the distribution of benefits 

and costs; and (J) Social effects.” (50 CFR 600.350(d)(3))

The 2007 Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (MSRA) 

expanded upon the bycatch provisions of the MSA with a 

focus on international conservation, seabirds, and bycatch 

reduction engineering. The MSRA amendments established 

a Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program to minimize 

bycatch, seabird interactions, bycatch mortality, and postrelease mortality in federally managed fisheries through the 

development of bycatch reduction devices and other gear 

modifications. The MSRA amendments also authorized regional fishery management councils to include incentives 

in their fishery management plans to reduce total bycatch 

and seabird interactions, amounts, bycatch rates, and postrelease mortality in federally managed fisheries by incorporating bycatch into quotas, and by adding measures to 

promote the use of gear with verifiable and monitored low 

bycatch and seabird interactions, as well as measures to 

reduce bycatch and seabird interactions, bycatch mortality, 

post-release mortality, or regulatory discards in the fishery. 

(16 U.S.C. §1865).

International provisions of the MSRA amend the MSA to 

strengthen the United States’s commitment to monitoring 

and reducing bycatch (16 U.S.C. §1826). These amendments require the Secretary of State to ensure that “statistically reliable monitoring by the U.S. is carried out, through 

the use of on-board observers or through dedicated platforms provided by foreign nations that are parties to the 

agreement, of all target and non-target fish species, marine 

mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds entangled or killed by 

large-scale driftnets used by fishing vessels of foreign nations that are parties to the agreement” and that “the taking 

of non-target fish species, marine mammals, sea turtles, 

seabirds, and endangered species or other species protected by international agreements to which the U.S. is a party 

is minimized and does not pose a threat to existing fisheries 

or the long-term health of living marine resources.” 

In addition, the MSRA also amends the High Seas Driftnet 

Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to require the Secretary 

to identify and certify nations whose vessels engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices, and/

or bycatch of protected living marine resources, in certain 

areas, and facilitate international cooperation and provide 

assistance for monitoring and reducing bycatch of living 

marine resources. (16 U.S.C. §1826d-k).

Marine Mammal Protection Act

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) seeks to maintain marine mammal stocks at optimum sustainable population levels, principally by regulating the human-induced 

mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. This includes fishing-related mortality and serious injury. Although 

the MMPA prohibits the take of marine mammals, it provides exceptions for incidental take during the operation 

of commercial fishing, as well as other activities. Take is 

defined in the MMPA as “to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or 

attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal” (16 U.S.C. § 1362 (13)). In 1994, Congress amended 

the MMPA to include Section 118, which established a regime to regulate the take of marine mammals incidental to 

commercial fishing so that it does not occur at a level that 

jeopardizes a marine mammal stock’s ability to reach its 

“optimum sustainable population,” defined as “the number 

of animals which will result in the maximum productivity of 

the population or the species, keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the habitat and the health of the ecosystem of which they form a constituent element” (16 U.S.C. 

§ 1362(9)).

Section 118 of the MMPA requires that NMFS classify each 

U.S. commercial fishery according to whether there is a frequent (Category I), occasional (Category II), or a remote 

(Category III) likelihood of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. It also has provisions for 

the establishment of take reduction teams to develop take 

reduction plans (TRPs) for those fisheries with the greatest impact on marine mammal stocks (i.e., to assist in the 

recovery or prevent the depletion of strategic marine mammal stocks that interact with Category I and II fisheries). 

Participants in Category I or II fisheries are required to regaT-Appendix B.indd 466 2/5/12 
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APPENDIX B

ister with NMFS, take on board an observer if requested 

by NMFS, and comply with all applicable TRP regulations. 

All fishermen, including those participating in Category III 

fisheries, are required to report the incidental mortality and 

serious injury of marine mammals should it occur during 

commercial fishing operations.

The MMPA establishes both a short-term (six-month) and a 

long-term (five-year) goal for marine mammal bycatch reduction. Take reduction plans are required to reduce, within 

six months of implementation, the incidental mortality or 

serious injury of marine mammals incidentally taken in the 

course of commercial fishing operations to levels less than 

a stock’s potential biological removal (PBR) level. Within 

five years of implementation, TRPs are required to reduce 

the mortality or serious injury of marine mammals incidentally taken in the course of commercial fishing operations to 

insignificant levels approaching a zero mortality and serious injury rate (commonly referred to as the Zero Mortality 

Rate Goal or ZMRG), taking into account the economics of 

the fishery, the availability of existing technology, and existing state or regional fishery management plans (16 U.S.C. 

§ 1387(f)).

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

In 1918, the United States affirmed or implemented commitments to four international conventions (with Canada, 

Japan, Mexico, and Russia) under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The MBTA is a domestic regulation for the 

protection of shared migratory bird resources, including 

seabirds administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 

Each of the conventions protects selected species of birds 

that are common to both countries (i.e., they occur in both 

countries at some point during their annual life cycle). The 

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980, as amended, 

requires the USFWS to monitor and assess migratory nongame birds, determine the effects of human activities, and 

identify populations of migratory birds that, without additional conservation measures, are likely to become candidates for listing under the ESA. In response, the USFWS 

released a report entitled Birds of Conservation Concern 

2002, which identifies bird species (not already listed under 

the ESA) that represent the agency’s highest conservation 

priorities. Provisions on seabird bycatch were also strengthened in 2006 under the MSRA, as described previously.

International Agreements

Section 202(h)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act calls on the Secretary of 

State, in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce, to 

seek to secure international agreements to establish standards and measures for bycatch reduction that are comparable to the standards and measures applicable to U.S. fishermen, if they conclude that it is necessary and appropriate. 

Similar provisions are also contained in both the Marine 

Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. 

Full summaries of the international fisheries agreements in 

which the U.S. has interests can be found at the NMFS Office of International Affairs website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.

gov/ia/intlagree/. A brief discussion of international agreements with bycatch provisions is presented here.

Commission for the Conservation of 

Antarctic Marine Living Resources

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine 

Living Resources (CCAMLR) was established in 1982 by 

the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources to protect and conserve the living marine 

resources in the waters surrounding Antarctica (the domestic implementing legislation is the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984, 16 U.S.C. 2431 et 

seq.). CCAMLR restricts catch and bycatch in fish, krill, and 

crab fisheries. The Commission has also required fishing 

gear and time modifications to minimize seabird bycatch in 

some longline fisheries, and has endorsed the recommendations of its Scientific Committee regarding the reduction 

of seal bycatch through the use of excluder devices. More 

information can be found on the CCAMLR website: http://

www.ccamlr.org/.

FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

More than 170 Members of the United Nations Food and 

Agriculture Organization (FAO) adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in 1995. The Code of Conduct is voluntary and consists of a collection of principles, 

goals, and elements for action. Among other things, the 

Code of Conduct maintains that fishing methods and gear 

should be selective and designed to minimize waste and 

promote high survival rates for escaping fish. The Code of 

Conduct states that appropriate measures should be taken 

to minimize waste, discards, catch by lost or abandoned 

gear, catch of non-target species (both fish and non-fish 

species), and negative impacts on associated or dependent 

species, in particular endangered species. Where appropriate, such measures may include technical measures related to fish size, mesh size, or gear, discards, closed seasons, and areas and zones reserved for selected fisheries, 

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particularly artisanal fisheries. Such measures should be 

applied, where appropriate, to protect juveniles and spawners. NMFS has been very active in promoting implementation of FAO’s International Plan of Action (IPOA) for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries and 

the FAO IPOA for the Conservation and Management of 

Sharks, both of which have developed out of the Code of 

Conduct. More information on the IPOAs can be found at 

the following website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/.

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) 

contains several provisions that pertain to reducing bycatch 

of dolphins, seabirds, sea turtles, and finfish (the domestic 

implementing statute is the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, 

64 Stat. 777, as amended: 16 U.S.C., 951 et seq.). IATTC 

includes parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP). The AIDCP is a legally binding instrument for dolphin conservation and ecosystem management in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean 

(ETP). The objectives of the Agreement are to reduce incidental dolphin mortalities in the tuna purse seine fishery 

through setting annual limits, seeking alternative means of 

capturing large yellowfin tunas not in association with dolphins, and ensuring long-term sustainability of tuna stocks 

and marine resources in the ETP. The IATTC has also adopted several resolutions pertaining to sea turtle bycatch. 

More information can be found on the IATTC website: http://

www.iattc.org/HomeENG.htm.

International Commission for the 

Conservation of Atlantic Tunas

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is a regional fishery management 

organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and 

tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent 

seas. The U.S. implementing statute for ICCAT is the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 

et. seq.). ICCAT member countries have agreed on several 

non-binding bycatch data-sharing resolutions; studied bycatch of sharks and sea turtles; and required the live release 

of certain species (e.g., Atlantic blue and white marlins). ICCAT has also agreed to non-binding information-sharing 

measures on the safe release and avoidance of bycatch of 

sea turtles. ICCAT has passed resolutions to encourage its 

members to report on the implementation of their seabird 

bycatch plans of action under the FAO IPOA, and to share 

data on incidental take of seabirds. In 2007, ICCAT adopted 

a binding resolution on reducing the incidental bycatch of 

seabirds in longline fisheries. This resolution includes mandatory requirements for seabird avoidance measures and 

the collection of seabird bycatch data. Additional information 

can be found on the ICCAT website: http://www.iccat.int/en/.

International Pacific Halibut Commission

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) was 

established in 1923 by a Convention between the United 

States and Canada (the domestic implementing legislation 

is the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, 16 U.S.C. 773, 

773a–773k). The purpose of the IPHC is to conserve, manage, and rebuild the halibut stocks in the Convention Area 

to those levels that would achieve and maintain the maximum sustainable yield from the fishery. In addition to managing the Pacific halibut fishery, the Commission conducts 

research on Pacific halibut bycatch and discard mortality, 

as well as bycatch reduction devices. The two countries 

have agreed to take measures to reduce halibut bycatch in 

non-target fisheries. More information can be found on the 

IPHC website: http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization

The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) is 

an intergovernmental fisheries science and management 

body formed to consult and cooperate to attain the optimum utilization, rational management, and conservation of 

the fishery resources of the northwest Atlantic (the domestic implementing statute is the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries 

Convention Act of 1995, 16 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.). Article 

12 of the 2010 NAFO Conservation and Enforcement Measures limits bycatch to a certain proportion of haul weight 

or to an assigned quota. Article 17 prohibits shark finning, 

and Article 28 requires fisheries observers aboard all vessels participating in NAFO fisheries. Beginning in 2007, 

contracting parties now provide sea turtle bycatch data to 

NAFO. Additional information can be found on the NAFO 

website: http://www.nafo.int/fisheries/frames/fishery.html.

Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission

In 2007, the United States became a member of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). 

The Commission was established in 2004 by the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the Highly 

Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific 

Ocean as a regional fishery management organization to 

conserve and manage tunas and other highly migratory fish 

stocks across a vast range of the Pacific Ocean (the domestic implementing legislation is the Western and Central 

Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, 16 U.S.C. 

6901 et seq.). The goal of the WCPFC is to ensure the longterm conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory 

fish stocks in the west and central Pacific. While the Commission focuses mainly on tuna species, it also works to 

reduce bycatch of seabirds and sea turtles and sharks in 

commercial longline and purse seine fisheries. In 2007, the 

Commission finalized a binding conservation resolution to 

reduce seabird bycatch (7 Dec 2007, CMM 2007-04), and 

aT-Appendix B.indd 468 2/5/12 
469

APPENDIX B

in 2008 a similar resolution was finalized to reduce bycatch 

and increase post-release survivorship in sea turtles (12 

Dec 2008, CMM 2008-03). Another conservation resolution 

was finalized for sharks (12 Dec 2008, CMM 2008-06) to reduce discards and increase the proportion of live releases 

from incidental catches. More information can be found on 

the WCPFC website: http://www.wcpfc.int.

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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

aT-Appendix B.indd 470 2/5/12 
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APPENDIX C

Appendix C Monitoring-Related Action 

Items from Regional Bycatch 

 Implementation Plans: 

Updates for FY08–FY09

The NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries each year 

asks NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrators, Science 

Center Directors, and Office Directors to submit updates 

to action items related to their Regional and Atlantic HMS 

Bycatch Implementation Plans. Action items fall under the 

following categories: monitoring, bycatch reduction engineering and other research, management (including international efforts), and education/outreach. A subset of the 

actions is listed below. Current Bycatch Implementation 

Plans and updated action items can be found at http://www.

nmfs.noaa.gov/by_catch/bycatch_strategy.htm.

Northeast Region

•	 Improve Northeast Fisheries Science Center communication with constituents regarding observer programs, 

and obtain observer program feedback from observed 

vessel operators.

•	 Improve quantitative estimates of bycatch by gear and 

fishery.

•	 Optimally allocate observer coverage to address regional 

priorities.

•	 Develop electronic data entry at sea.

•	 Explore the use of video monitoring systems to view scallop dredge interactions with sea turtles.

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS)

•	 Maintain appropriate observer coverage levels in the pelagic longline, bottom longline, and shark gillnet fisheries.

•	 Evaluate mandatory observer coverage for headboats 

possessing HMS permits.

•	 Increase sample sizes for the Large Pelagic Survey in 

for-hire fisheries.

Southeast Region

•	 Enhance observer programs in the Gulf of Mexico and 

South Atlantic shrimp trawl fisheries.

•	 Enhance observer programs in the Gulf of Mexico bottom 

longline reef fish fishery. 

•	 Improve bycatch estimates for red snapper, vermilion 

snapper, and other reef fishes in the commercial and forhire reef fish fishery with respect to season, depth, and 

location.

•	 Monitor and assess bycatch in the South Atlantic reef fish 

fishery to minimize the impacts of incidental take on sea 

turtles and smalltooth sawfish. 

•	 Reduce and monitor bycatch in Caribbean fisheries. 

•	 Improve bycatch estimates of protected species for the 

shark bottom longline fishery with respect to season and 

location. 

•	 Monitor right whale bycatch from gillnet or other commercial fisheries gear in the Southeast Restricted Area.

•	 Enhance observer coverage in the Mid-Atlantic coastal 

gillnet fishery via alternate platforms.

•	 Develop observer programs for the Gulf of Mexico recreational charter vessel fishery. 

Southwest Region

•	 Determine whether the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery 

Management Plan should be amended to explicitly establish a standardized reporting methodology.

•	 Ensure that a pilot at-sea observer program in California to supplement and confirm the bycatch assessments 

derived from dock-side sampling conducted by the State 

of California is a component of a standardized reporting 

methodology.

•	 Continue efforts, through support of the Inter-American 

Tropical Tuna Commission and international agreements, 

to ensure that bycatch by vessels flagged by the United 

States and other nations is accurately reported. 

•	 Maintain drift gillnet observer coverage at 20%.

•	 Prepare reports that include estimates of the total bycatch of finfish in the drift gillnet fishery, as well as estimates of precision associated with measures of sea turtle 

and finfish bycatch. 

•	 Characterize the size composition of fish bycatch species 

in drift gillnet fishery.

•	 Review the efficiency of drift gillnet observer coverage 

for estimating drift gillnet finfish and other non-turtle and 

marine mammal bycatch to determine whether enough 

samples [are] being collected, given variability. 

Northwest Region

•	 Expand West Coast Groundfish Observer Program coverage to ancillary fleets making groundfish landings.

•	 Implement a mandatory catch monitoring program for 

the shore-based whiting fishery, possibly with camera or 

other technological observation systems.

•	 Expand the vessel monitoring system program to cover 

commercial open access and fleets that target groundfish.

•	 Update the Northwest Fisheries Science Center bycatch 

model with 2001–07 West Coast Groundfish Observer 

Program data to improve precision of bycatch rate estimates.

•	 Work with the states to improve the landings receipt system, possibly moving to electronic fish tickets.

•	 Assist in the creation of a comprehensive NOAA Fisheries U.S. National Bycatch Report.

•	 Conduct further observer data analysis to refine the West 

Coast Groundfish Observer Program’s sampling design 

and fleet monitoring strategies.

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

T-Appendix C.indd 471 12/28/11 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

•	 Test electronic monitoring (EM) equipment on small 

fixed-gear vessels.

•	 Test equipment to record trawl tracks to better represent 

areas trawled.

•	 Continue to monitor the bycatch of Endangered Species 

Act-listed salmonids in the West Coast groundfish fishery 

for compliance with provisions of the current biological 

opinion.

Pacific Islands Region

•	 Continue to implement the High-Seas Protected Species 

Observer Reporting System, including the use of satellite 

phones by observers.

•	 Continue to develop estimation models for the take of 

non-targeted billfish in the tuna and swordfish longline 

fisheries.

•	 Refine and expand estimation of fishery takes of sea 

turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals for the Hawaiibased longline fishery based on observer data and logbooks.

•	 Refine and expand estimation of fishery bycatch of 

sharks and other fishes using longline logbook and observer data.

Alaska Region

•	 Ensure special fishery-dependent data collections outside of standard observer protocols to meet short-term 

user needs. 

•	 Evaluate technologies suitable for monitoring groundfish 

fisheries.

•	 Develop approaches for expanding observer deployments to meet additional agency information needs for 

catch and bycatch estimation.

•	 Revise observer data-collection protocols to meet evolving needs and improve bycatch data quality.

•	 Investigate the impact of a real-time bycatch monitoring 

system on bycatch levels and fishing location choice in 

the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. 

•	 Improve methodologies for estimating prohibited species 

bycatch. 

•	 Prepare information and text for the first edition of the 

U.S. National Bycatch Report.

•	 Evaluate whether measures of effort other than total 

catch can be used to extrapolate from observed to total 

marine mammal bycatch.

•	 Evaluate the need for additional compliance resources to 

maintain the integrity of observer data.

•	 Promote the use of electronic logbooks to facilitate identification and correction of bias in estimating bycatch for 

unobserved vessels. 

•	 Promote interagency efforts to develop electronic reporting of landings data by trip. 

•	 Evaluate methods for improving bycatch estimates of 

marine mammals in state-managed Marine Mammal Protection Act Category II salmon fisheries.

•	 Improve accuracy and precision in estimates of seabird 

interactions and bycatch. 

•	 Improve spatio-temporal characterization of seabird bycatch estimates. 

T-Appendix C.indd 472 12/28/11 
473

APPENDIX D

Appendix D Precision, Accuracy, 

and Bias1

The measure of precision used in the U.S. National Bycatch 

Report is the coefficient of variation (CV), which is the ratio 

of the square root of the variance of the bycatch estimate 

(i.e., the standard error) to the estimate itself. The CV of an 

estimate can be decreased by increasing the number of observations, which increases sampling cost (NMFS 2004a). 

However, as the number of observations is increased, the 

CV decreases at a decreasing rate. For large samples, the 

CV of an estimate is inversely proportional to the square 

root of the size of the sample. This means that at some 

point a further increase in the number of observations cannot be justified in terms of the reduction in the CV and the 

associated benefits of the more precise estimate, given the 

increase in sampling cost (Figure D.1).

Precision requirements for bycatch estimates depend upon 

the management procedures for which the estimates are 

being used. Additionally, there are a number of sampling 

issues that impede our ability to obtain precise bycatch estimates for individual stocks or species, including:

•	 management uses of bycatch estimates (e.g., setting of 

bycatch quotas, development of mitigation measures);

•	 assessment uses of bycatch estimates (i.e., evaluation 

of stock status, estimation of total allowable catches, estimation of PBR);

•	 monitoring relative to management standards (i.e., comparison of bycatch estimate with some management 

standard);

•	 developing mitigation plans (i.e., bycatch estimates used 

to design measures to reduce bycatch).

Figure D.1 

Trade-offs between precision, number of samples, and 

cost (NMFS 2004a). 

1 Summary Information from NMFS (2004a) and Vølstad and Fogarty (2006).

1 

0.5 

0 

C

V 

CV of bycatch estimate 

Cost of sampling 

Number of observers (increasing -------------)

Cost (increasi

----------

ng

-

) 

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

aT-Appendix D.indd 473 1/17/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

When estimating catch or bycatch from fisheries data, survey or observer programs usually are designed to address 

estimation of bycatch of multiple species, rather than being designed specifically for the estimate of bycatch of an 

individual species. Therefore, observer programs are often 

designed to obtain bycatch estimates of the aggregate of 

all fish species combined with a specified precision level. 

However, when a species comprises a small percentage of 

the aggregate the estimate of an individual species will be 

less precise. 

Bias refers to systematic errors that cause the average 

survey value to deviate from the true population value for 

any sample selected under a specific survey design (Vølstad and Fogarty 2006). For observer monitoring programs, 

the total error in estimates of catch and bycatch is linked 

to vessel selection and observer deployment procedures, 

field data-collection procedures, and analytical methods for 

estimating catch and bycatch. Ideally, an overall design for 

observer programs is chosen to minimize the total error in 

the catch and bycatch estimates for the target fleet, within 

the resources available for the program and practical constraints.

A vessel selection procedure is considered biased if it results in catch and bycatch data that do not represent the 

fleet (and its fishing operations) on average (i.e., the procedure will tend to result in observer data that systematically 

deviate from data that would be representative of the fleet 

and its fishery). Random selection is a safeguard against 

systematic bias in the selection procedure (i.e., on average, 

the samples will represent the total population of vessels 

in the list). A random selection of vessels, however, does 

not in itself eliminate systematic bias. If observers cannot 

be deployed on the vessels selected by a representative 

method such as random sampling, or if some of the vessels 

selected change their fishing behavior, then the resulting 

sample is biased. Bias resulting from logistical problems 

and lack of compliance is particularly difficult to quantify 

and control and is not likely to be reduced by increasing 

sample sizes.

The sources of bias in observer programs can be classified 

into three broad categories: (1) incomplete sampling frame, 

(2) sampling bias caused by procedures for selecting vessels from the sampling frame or by factors preventing the 

deployment of observers on all selected vessels, and (3) 

observer bias (i.e., measurement errors caused by changes in fishing behavior in the presence of observers).

Bias related to errors in the sampling frame (i.e., the list 

from which vessels are selected for observation) can occur 

when the list fails to include all active vessels in the fishery for which inferences about catch and bycatch are to be 

made (NMFS 2004a). If the list omits an appreciable portion 

of vessels in the fleet for which estimates are required, then 

even a census (i.e., placing observers on all vessels and 

trips on the list) could yield poor (biased) estimates of catch 

and bycatch. Errors in the sampling frame can result when 

using lists of vessels that are not up-to-date, or when vessels are included that are not actively fishing. If the fraction 

of vessels not observed accounts for an appreciable portion of the total catch for a fishery, then the resulting bias in 

overall estimates of catch and bycatch based on observer 

data could be significant.

Performing a census would eliminate the potential for bias 

(assuming that the sample frame is complete and there is 

100% compliance), but this approach usually is prohibitively expensive. Typically, available resources allow for 

observing only a fraction of the vessels in a given fleet. 

Precise estimates of catch and bycatch, nevertheless, can 

be achieved by sampling only a small fraction of vessels 

in the fleet if the sampled vessels are representative and 

the sample size is sufficient. Ad-hoc vessel selection has 

the greatest potential for generating bias because this 

method does not guarantee that repeated selections result in samples that, on average, represent the fleet. Conducting a probability-based survey with 100% compliance 

(i.e., all selected vessels agree to take an observer) would 

also eliminate sample bias. All the methods that involve 

randomization (i.e., selection of vessels with known inclusion probabilities) fall in the category of probability-based 

sampling. Probability-based selection of vessels does not 

guarantee that observer data can be collected representatively because various constraints can limit NMFS’ ability to 

place observers on all selected vessels. Concerns regarding safety of selected vessels or lack of accommodations 

may limit the pool of sampled vessels and reduce the ability 

to achieve a representative sample. Bias related to deployment can sometimes nullify the benefit of a well-planned 

survey. In effect, an inability to place observers on selected 

vessels is equivalent to implementing a program with an 

incomplete sampling frame because a portion of the fishery fleet is eliminated from observation. Deployment bias is 

equivalent to non-response error and is most often caused 

by logistical constraints, for example when the operators 

of vessels in the sample refuse to take observers, when 

some of the vessels selected for observer deployment are 

unsafe, or when selected vessels do not have space for 

observers. In principle, an ad-hoc selection with full compliance may cause no more systematic error than a random 

selection procedure with poor compliance (equivalent to a 

low response rate).

The implication of observer bias is that data recorded on 

selected vessels is not representative of the fishery as a 

whole. Observer bias can occur when vessel operators 

systematically change their fishing behavior, effort, and location when observers are aboard. In this case, the catch 

and bycatch rates for observed trips would deviate from the 

typical rates. This could occur if the fisher has an incentive 

to lower bycatch estimates (e.g., if the fisher believes that 

actual bycatch estimates could result in early closure of a 

aT-Appendix D.indd 474 1/17/12 
475

APPENDIX D

fishery due to in-season management or changes in regulations that could restrict his future fishing opportunities). This 

form of sampling bias is the most difficult to evaluate and 

correct. Systematic errors in data collection and recording 

also fall into the category of observer bias.

The vessel selection bias workshop conducted by NMFS 

in 2006 provided a full evaluation of 24 U.S. observer programs and recommendations to address biases in these 

programs (Vølstad and Fogarty 2006). These recommendations are currently being implemented by the regional 

observer programs and continued monitoring of potential 

bias is being conducted.

aT-Appendix D.indd 475 1/17/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

aT-Appendix D.indd 476 1/17/12 
477

APPENDIX E

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

NORTHEAST 

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

MID-ATLANTIC BOTTOM LONGLINE Federal Individual

MID-ATLANTIC CLAM/QUAHOG DREDGE Federal Individual

MID-ATLANTIC EXTRA-LARGE-MESH GILLNET Federal Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Gillnet Fisheries Group

MID-ATLANTIC GENERAL CAT. CLOSED-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

MID-ATLANTIC GENERAL CAT. OPEN-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

MID-ATLANTIC GENERAL CAT. SCALLOP TRAWL Federal

Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Scallop Trawl Fisheries 

Group

MID-ATLANTIC LARGE-MESH GILLNET Federal Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Gillnet Fisheries Group

MID-ATLANTIC LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal Part of Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries Group

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS CLOSED-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS OPEN-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

MID-ATLANTIC LIMITED-ACCESS SCALLOP TRAWL Federal

Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Scallop Trawl Fisheries 

Group

MID-ATLANTIC MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL Federal Part of Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries Group

MID-ATLANTIC SMALL-MESH GILLNET Federal Part of Mid-Atlantic 

Gillnet Fisheries Group

MID-ATLANTIC SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal Part of Mid-Atlantic Otter 

Trawl Fisheries Group

NEW ENGLAND BOTTOM LONGLINE Federal

Part of New England 

Bottom Longline 

Fisheries Group

NEW ENGLAND B REG DAS LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal

Part of New England 

Otter Trawl Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND CLAM/QUAHOG DREDGE Federal Individual

NEW ENGLAND CRAB POTS Federal Individual

NEW ENGLAND EXTRA-LARGE-MESH GILLNET Federal Part of New England 

Gillnet Fisheries Group

Appendix E Fisheries Identified by the U.S. National Bycatch Report, 

 and Fisheries Included in the Report.

Appendix E lists all fisheries identified by the U.S. National Bycatch Report regional teams. Those fisheries that are shaded 

are the Federally managed commercial fisheries, or state fisheries with a Federal data-collection component, that were 

evaluated for bycatch data and estimation quality. Within each region, fisheries are listed alphabetically by management 

authority and then by name of fishery.

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

aT-Appendix E.indd 477 1/17/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Northeast

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

(cont.)

NEW ENGLAND GENERAL CAT. CLOSED-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of New England 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND GENERAL CAT. OPEN-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of New England 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND HADDOCK SECTOR LONGLINE Federal

Part of New England 

Bottom Longline 

Fisheries Group

NEW ENGLAND LARGE-MESH GILLNET Federal Part of New England 

Gillnet Fisheries Group

NEW ENGLAND LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal

Part of New England 

Otter Trawl Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND LIMITED-ACCESS CLOSED-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of New England 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND LIMITED-ACCESS OPEN-AREA SCALLOP 

DREDGE Federal

Part of New England 

Scallop Dredge Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND MID-WATER OTTER TRAWL Federal Individual

NEW ENGLAND SCOTTISH SEINE Federal Individual

NEW ENGLAND SMALL-MESH GILLNET Federal Part of New England 

Gillnet Fisheries Group

NEW ENGLAND SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal

Part of New England 

Otter Trawl Fisheries 

Group

NEW ENGLAND US/CAN AREA LARGE-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal Individual

NEW ENGLAND US/CAN AREA SMALL-MESH OTTER TRAWL Federal Individual

GULF OF MAINE, MID-ATLANTIC TUNA, SHARK, SWORDFISH 

HARPOON

Federal, 

International Individual

GULF OF MAINE, MID-ATLANTIC TUNA, SHARK, SWORDFISH 

HOOK-AND-LINE

Federal, 

International Individual

MID-ATLANTIC HAND LINE Federal, 

International Individual

MID-ATLANTIC PURSE SEINE Federal, 

International Individual

NEW ENGLAND HAND LINE Federal, 

International Individual

NEW ENGLAND PURSE SEINE Federal, 

International Individual

MID-ATLANTIC FISH POTS AND TRAPS Federal, State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC LOBSTER POTS Federal, State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC SHRIMP TRAWL Federal, State Individual

NEW ENGLAND FISH POTS AND TRAPS Federal, State Individual

NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER POTS Federal, State Individual

ATLANTIC BLUE CRAB TRAP/POT State Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 478 1/17/12 
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APPENDIX E

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Northeast

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

(cont.)

CHESAPEAKE BAY INSHORE GILLNET State Individual

DELAWARE RIVER INSHORE GILLNET State Individual

LONG ISLAND SOUND INSHORE GILLNET State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC CRAB POTS State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC HAUL/BEACH SEINE State Individual

NEW ENGLAND SHRIMP TRAWL State Individual

RI, S. MA (TO MONOMOY IS.) AND NY BIGHT (RARITAN AND 

LOWER NY BAYS) INSHORE GILLNET State Individual

VIRGINIA POUND NET State Individual

Northeast

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

GULF OF MAINE HERRING AND ATLANTIC MACKEREL STOP 

SEINE State Individual

GULF OF MAINE HERRING AND ATLANTIC MACKEREL WEIR State Individual

GULF OF MAINE MUSSEL State Individual

GULF OF MAINE URCHIN DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL 

COLLECTION State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC CRAB STOP SEINE State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC CRAB WEIR State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC EEL TRAP/POT State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC HAND SEINE State Individual

MID-ATLANTIC OYSTER State Individual

NORTHEAST ATLANTIC FINFISH AQUACULTURE State Individual

NORTHEAST ATLANTIC SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE State Individual

Southeast

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

CARIBBEAN GILLNET Federal Individual

CARIBBEAN MIXED-SPECIES TRAP/POT Federal Individual

CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER TRAP/POT Federal Individual

FLORIDA SPINY LOBSTER TRAP/POT Federal Individual

GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC GILLNET Federal Individual

GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC TROLL Federal Individual

GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH BOTTOM LONGLINE Federal Individual

GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH HANDLINE Federal Individual

GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP TRAWL Federal Individual

LARGE COASTAL AND SMALL COASTAL SHARK 

AGGREGATES (DRIFT, STRIKE, AND BOTTOM GILLNET) Federal Individual

SOUTH ATLANTIC COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC TROLL Federal Individual

SOUTH ATLANTIC SNAPPER–GROUPER BOTTOM LONGLINE Federal Individual

SOUTH ATLANTIC SNAPPER–GROUPER HANDLINE Federal Individual

SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC BLACK SEA BASS POT Federal Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO HMS 

PELAGIC LONGLINE Federal Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO SHARK 

BOTTOM LONGLINE Federal Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 479 1/17/12 
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U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Southeast

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

(cont.)

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC SHRIMP TRAWL Federal Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC, GULF OF MEXICO GOLDEN 

CRAB TRAP/POT Federal Individual

SPEARFISHING FOR TUNA Federal Individual

WINTER FLUKE (FLOUNDER) TRAWLS Federal Individual

NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL GILLNET Federal, State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC STONE CRAB TRAP/POT Federal, State Individual

Southeast

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

CARIBBEAN HAUL/BEACH SEINE State Individual

FLORIDA WEST COAST SARDINE PURSE SEINE State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO BLUE CRAB State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL GILLNET State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO HAUL/BEACH SEINE State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO MARINE SHRIMP BUTTERFLY NETS State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO MARINE SHRIMP SKIMMER TRAWLS State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO MENHADEN PURSE SEINE State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO OYSTER State Individual

GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP CAST NET State Individual

NORTH CAROLINA HAUL/BEACH SEINE, LONG HAUL State Individual

NORTH CAROLINA INSHORE (BAYS AND RIVERS) GILLNET State Individual

NORTH CAROLINA POUND-NET (CROAKER, WEAKFISH) State Individual

NORTH CAROLINA SOUTHERN FLOUNDER POUND-NET State Individual

NORTH CAROLINA STOP NETS State Individual

SOUTH ATLANTIC BLUE CRAB State Individual

SOUTH ATLANTIC COASTAL GILLNET State Individual

SOUTHEAST CALICO SCALLOP TRAWL State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC, HAUL/BEACH SEINE State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC MARINE SHRIMP BUTTERFLY 

NETS State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC MARINE SHRIMP CAST NET State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC MENHADEN State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, 

CARIBBEAN SHELLFISH DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL 

COLLECTION

State Individual

SOUTHEASTERN ATLANTIC SKIMMER TRAWLS State Individual

SOUTHEAST FISH TRAWL State Individual

SURFACE TRAWL JELLYFISH State Individual

Alaska

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, EASTERN BERING SEA ATKA 

MACKEREL TRAWL Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS FLATFISH GROUP 

(ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER, FLATHEAD SOLE, OTHER 

FLATFISH) TRAWL

Federal Part of BSAI Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

aT-Appendix E.indd 480 1/17/12 
481

APPENDIX E

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Alaska

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

(cont.)

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS GREENLAND TURBOT 

LONGLINE Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC COD JIG Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC COD LONGLINE Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC COD POT Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC COD TRAWL Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS POLLOCK TRAWL Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS ROCK SOLE TRAWL Federal Part of BSAI Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS SABLEFISH LONGLINE Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS SABLEFISH POT Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS SABLEFISH TRAWL Federal Individual

BERING SEA ALEUTIAN ISLANDS YELLOWFIN SOLE TRAWL Federal Part of BSAI Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

GULF OF ALASKA ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER TRAWL Federal Part of GOA Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

GULF OF ALASKA FLATFISH (DEEP-WATER FLATFISH) 

TRAWL Federal Part of GOA Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

GULF OF ALASKA FLATFISH (SHALLOW-WATER FLATFISH) 

TRAWL Federal Part of GOA Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

GULF OF ALASKA FLATHEAD SOLE TRAWL Federal Part of GOA Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD JIG Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD LONGLINE Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD POT Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD TRAWL Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA POLLOCK TRAWL Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA REX SOLE TRAWL Federal Part of GOA Flatfish 

Trawl Fisheries Group

GULF OF ALASKA ROCKFISH (NORTHERN ROCKFISH, 

PELAGIC SHELF ROCKFISH, PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH) 

TRAWL

Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH LONGLINE Federal Individual

GULF OF ALASKA SABLEFISH TRAWL Federal Individual

AK HALIBUT LONGLINE International Individual

AK COOK INLET DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

AK COOK INLET SALMON SET GILLNET State Individual

AK PENINSULA/ ALEUTIANS SALMON DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

AK PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND SALMON DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

AK PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND SALMON SET GILLNET State Individual

AK SOUTHEAST SALMON DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

GULF OF ALASKA CRAB POT State Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 481 1/17/12 
482

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Alaska

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

AK ABALONE State Individual

AK BRISTOL BAY SALMON DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

AK BRISTOL BAY SALMON SET GILLNET State Individual

AK CLAM State Individual

AK DUNGENESS CRAB State Individual

AK FOOD/BAIT HERRING TRAWL State Individual

AK GROUNDFISH LONGLINE/SETLINE (INCLUDING 

SABLEFISH, ROCKFISH, AND MISC. FINFISH) State Individual

AK HERRING SPAWN ON KELP POUND-NET State Individual

AK KODIAK SALMON SET GILLNET State Individual

AK KUSKOKWIM, YUKON, NORTON SOUND, KOTZEBUE 

SALMON GILLNET State Individual

AK METLAKATLA/ANNETTE ISLAND SALMON DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

AK METLAKATLA SALMON PURSE SEINE State Individual

AK MISC. FINFISH BEACH SEINE State Individual

AK MISC. FINFISH HANDLINE AND MECHANICAL JIG State Individual

AK MISC. FINFISH OTTER OR BEAM TRAWL State Individual

AK MISC. FINFISH PAIR TRAWL State Individual

AK MISC. FINFISH PURSE SEINE State Individual

AK MISC. FINFISH SET GILLNET State Individual

AK NORTH PACIFIC HALIBUT HANDLINE AND MECHANICAL JIG State Individual

AK OCTOPUS/SQUID HANDLINE State Individual

AK OCTOPUS/SQUID LONGLINE State Individual

AK OCTOPUS/SQUID POT State Individual

AK PENINSULA/ ALEUTIANS SALMON SET GILLNET State Individual

AK ROE HERRING AND FOOD/BAIT HERRING BEACH SEINE State Individual

AK ROE HERRING AND FOOD/BAIT HERRING GILLNET State Individual

AK ROE HERRING AND FOOD/BAIT HERRING PURSE SEINE State Individual

AK SALMON BEACH SEINE State Individual

AK SALMON PURSE SEINE (EXCEPT SOUTHEAST ALASKA, 

WHICH IS IN CATEGORY II) State Individual

AK SALMON TROLL State Individual

AK SHRIMP OTTER TRAWL AND BEAM TRAWL (STATEWIDE 

AND COOK INLET) State Individual

AK SNAIL POT State Individual

AK SOUTHEAST HERRING ROE/FOOD/BAIT POUND NET State Individual

AK SOUTHEAST SALMON PURSE SEINE State Individual

AK URCHIN AND OTHER FISH/SHELLFISH State Individual

AK YAKUTAT SALMON SET GILLNET State Individual

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS STATE WATERS PACIFIC COD State Individual

BERING SEA, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CRAB POT State Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 482 1/17/12 
483

APPENDIX E

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Alaska

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

(cont.)

COASTWIDE SCALLOP DREDGE State Individual

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD STATE FISHERY JIG State Individual

GULF OF ALASKA PACIFIC COD STATE FISHERY POT State Individual

SOUTHEAST ALASKA CRAB POT State Individual

SOUTHEAST ALASKA SHRIMP POT State Individual

Northwest

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: LIMITEDENTRY SABLEFISH-ENDORSED FIXED GEAR Federal Individual

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH NON-TRAWL GEAR: NONENDORSED FIXED GEAR Federal Individual

WEST COAST LIMITED-ENTRY BOTTOM TRAWL; 

GROUNDFISH BOTTOM TRAWL Federal Individual

WEST COAST SALMON TROLL, NON-TRIBAL OCEAN Federal Individual

CALIFORNIA HALIBUT TRAWL Federal, State Individual

CA/OR NEARSHORE ROCKFISH Federal, State Individual

WEST COAST PACIFIC HALIBUT LONGLINE, NON-TRIBAL

Federal, State, 

International, 

Tribal

Individual

WEST COAST MID-WATER TRAWL FOR WHITING, 

SHORESIDE PROCESSING

Federal, State, 

Tribal Individual

WEST COAST MID-WATER TRAWL FOR WHITING, AT-SEA 

PROCESSING Federal, Tribal Individual

WEST COAST SALMON TROLL, TRIBAL OCEAN Federal, Tribal Individual

Northwest

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

OREGON AND CALIFORNIA PINK SHRIMP State Individual

OREGON AND CALIFORNIA SPOT PRAWN State Individual

WA BEACH SEINE OR DRAG SEINE State Individual

WA GRAYS HARBOUR SALMON DRIFT GILLNET (EXCLUDING 

TREATY TRIBAL FISHING) State Individual

WA GRAYS HARBOUR SALMON SET AND DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

WA HERRING BRUSH WEIR State Individual

WA PUGET SOUND REGION SALMON DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

WA SALMON PURSE SEINE State Individual

WA SALMON REEF NET State Individual

WA WILLAPA BAY DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

WA/OR GILLNET State Individual

WA/OR HERRING, SMELT, SQUID PURSE SEINE State Individual

WA/OR LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER DRIFT GILLNET State Individual

WA/OR SHRIMP POT AND TRAP State Individual

WA/OR SMELT, HERRING DIP NET State Individual

WA/OR/CA DUNGENESS CRAB POT State Individual

WA/OR LOWER COL. RIVER SALMON DRIFT State Individual

WA/OR MISC. INVERTEBRATE State Individual

WILLAPA BAY SALMON DRIFT State Individual

MAKAH SALMON SET GILLNET AREAS 4,4A, 4B Tribal Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 483 1/17/12 
484

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Southwest

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

CA COASTAL PURSE SEINE FOR TUNA Federal Individual

CA/OR DRIFT GILLNET (MESH SIZE >14 INCHES) FOR 

SWORDFISH AND THRESHER SHARK Federal Individual

CA PELAGIC LONGLINE Federal Individual

NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE BAITBOAT, POLE AND LINE Federal Individual

NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TROLL Federal Individual

SOUTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TROLL Federal Individual

CA COASTAL PURSE SEINE FOR ANCHOVY, MACKEREL, 

SARDINE Federal, State Individual

CA SWORDFISH HARPOON Federal, State Individual

CA COASTAL PURSE SEINE FOR SQUID State Individual

CA SET GILLNET (MESH SIZE UP TO 14 INCHES) State Individual

CA SMALL-MESH DRIFT GILLNET (MESH SIZE >3.5 IN AND 

<14 IN) State Individual

Southwest

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

CENTRAL WESTERN PACIFIC TUNA PURSE SEINE International Individual

EPO TUNA PURSE SEINE International Individual

ETP BAITBOAT International Individual

CA ABALONE State Individual

CA HERRING GILLNET State Individual

CA LIVE FISH HOOK-AND-LINE State Individual

CA SALMON ENHANCEMENT REARING PEN State Individual

CA SEA URCHIN State Individual

CA SET AND DRIFT GILLNET (STRETCHED MESH SIZE OF 

3.5 OR LESS) State Individual

CA SQUID DIP NET State Individual

CA TRAP/POT State Individual

CA WHITE SEABASS ENHANCEMENT NET PENS State Individual

OR/CA HAGFISH POT OR TRAP State Individual

WA/OR/CA BAIT PENS State Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 484 1/17/12 
485

APPENDIX E

REGION FISHERY

MANAGEMENT 

AUTHORITY

INDIVIDUAL OR 

GROUPED FISHERY

Pacific Islands

(fisheries included 

in the U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

AMERICAN SAMOA BOTTOMFISH Federal Individual

AMERICAN SAMOA LOBSTER Federal Individual

AMERICAN SAMOA PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY Federal Individual

AMERICAN SAMOA TROLL Federal Individual

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 

BOTTOMFISH Federal Individual

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 

LOBSTER Federal Individual

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 

TUNA TROLL Federal Individual

GUAM BOTTOMFISH HANDLINE Federal Individual

GUAM LONGLINE Federal Individual

GUAM TROLL Federal Individual

HAWAII-BASED DEEP-SET PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY 

(TUNA) Federal Individual

HAWAII-BASED SHALLOW-SET PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY 

(SWORDFISH) Federal Individual

HAWAII SHRIMP TRAP Federal Individual

 NON-LONGLINE COMMERCIAL PELAGIC FISHERY Federal Individual

NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS BOTTOMFISH Federal Individual

PRECIOUS CORAL (FEDERAL WATERS) Federal Individual

WESTERN PACIFIC SQUID JIG Federal Individual

HAWAII BOTTOMFISH Federal, State Individual

Pacific Islands

(fisheries not 

included in the 

U.S. National 

Bycatch Report)

HAWAII CRAB TRAP State Individual

HAWAII FISH POND State Individual

HAWAII FISH TRAP State Individual

HAWAII INSHORE HANDLINE State Individual

HAWAII LAY NET State Individual

HAWAII LOBSTER DIVING State Individual

HAWAII LOBSTER TRAP State Individual

HAWAII OCTOPUS, SPEAR State Individual

HAWAII OPELU/AKULE NET State Individual

HAWAII PELAGIC HANDLINE State Individual

HAWAII THROW NET, CAST NET State Individual

HAWAII TROLLING, ROD AND REEL State Individual

PRECIOUS CORAL (STATE WATERS) State Individual

aT-Appendix E.indd 485 1/17/12 
486

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

aT-Appendix E.indd 486 1/17/12 
487

APPENDIX F

NAME AFFILIATION GENERAL AREA OF EXPERTISE

Northeast

Jessica Blaylock Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Lynn Lankshear Regional Office Protected Resources

Richard Merrick Science Center Seabirds

Debra Palka Science Center Protected Resources (Marine Mammals)

Mike Pentony Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

David Potter Science Center Fisheries Biologist (Observer Program)

Marjorie Rossman Science Center Protected Resources (Marine Mammals)

Susan Wigley Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Southeast

Steve Branstetter Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

John Carlson Science Center Fisheries Biologist (Observer Program)

Jennifer Lee Regional Office Protected Resources

Jack McGovern Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Jim Nance Science Center Fisheries Biologist (Observer Program)

Paul Richards Science Center Protected Resources (Sea Turtles)

Alaska 

Dave Ackley Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Robyn Angliss Science Center Protected Resources (Marine Mammals)

Shannon Fitzgerald Regional Office Protected Resources

Jason Gasper Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Jim Ianelli Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Bill Karp Science Center Deputy Director

Jennifer Mondragon Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Northwest

Jonathan Cusick Science Center Fisheries Biologist (Observer Program)

Yvonne deReynier Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Peter Dygert Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Tom Good Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Nancy Gove Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Garth Griffin Regional Office Protected Resources (Marine Mammals)

Robert Kope Science Center Fisheries Biologist 

Appendix F Membership of the National Bycatch Report Regional Teams

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

T-Appendix F.indd 487 12/28/11 
488

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

NAME AFFILIATION GENERAL AREA OF EXPERTISE

Southwest

Lisa Ballance Science Center Protected Resources (Seabirds)

Jim Carretta Science Center Protected Resources (Marine Mammals)

John Childers Science Center Fisheries Biologist (Observer Program)

Al Coan Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Lyle Enriquez Regional Office Fisheries Biologist (Observer Program)

Tina Fahy Regional Office Protected Resources (Sea Turtles)

Craig Heberer Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Jessica Kondel Regional Office Protected Resources

Jason Larese Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Pacific Islands

Lesley Jantz Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Marti McCracken Science Center Fisheries Biologist

Lisa Van Atta Regional Office Protected Resources

Lewis Van Fossen Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

Jeremy Willson Regional Office Fisheries Biologist

T-Appendix F.indd 488 12/28/11 
489

APPENDIX G

William Karp, Steering Committee Chair

Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Phone: (206) 526-4194 

Fax: (206) 526-4066

Email: bill.karp@noaa.gov

Lisa Desfosse

Southeast Fisheries Science Center

Phone: 228-762-4591 x169

Fax: (228) 769-9200

Email: lisa.desfosse@noaa.gov

Lee Benaka

Office of Sustainable Fisheries

Phone: (301) 713-2341 x138

Fax: 301-713-1193

Email: lee.benaka@noaa.gov

Randy Blankinship

Southeast Regional Office

Phone: 727-824-5399

Fax: (301) 713-1875

Email: randy.blankinship@noaa.gov

Samantha Brooke

Northwest Regional Office

Phone: (206) 526-6145 

Fax: (206) 526-6736

Email: samantha.brooke@noaa.gov

Jim Carretta

Southwest Fisheries Science Center

Phone: (858) 546-7171

Fax: (858) 546-7003

Email: jim.carretta@noaa.gov

Jonathan Cusick

Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Phone: (360) 332-2793

Email: jonathan.cusick@noaa.gov

Tanya Dobrzynski 

Office of Protected Resources

Phone: (301) 713-2322 x160

Fax: (301) 427-2522

Email: tanya.dobrzynski@noaa.gov

Lesley Jantz

Pacific Islands Regional Office

Phone: (808) 944-2253

Fax: (808) 973-2941

Email: lesley.jantz@noaa.gov

Kristy Long

Office of Protected Resources

Phone: (301) 713-2322 x171

Fax: (301) 427-2522

Email: kristy.long@noaa.gov

Marti McCracken

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

Phone: (808) 983-5736

Fax: (808) 983-2902

Email: marti.mccracken@noaa.gov

Rick Methot

Office of Science and Technology

Phone: (206) 860-3365 

Fax: (206) 860-3394

Email: richard.methot@noaa.gov

Jim Nance

Southeast Fisheries Science Center

Phone: (409) 766-3507 

Fax: (409) 766-3508

Email: james.m.nance@noaa.gov

Paul Rago

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Phone: (508) 495-2341

Fax: (508) 495-2393

Email: paul.rago@noaa.gov

Kim Rivera

Alaska Regional Office

Phone: (907) 586-7424

Fax: (907) 586-7012

Email: kim.rivera@noaa.gov

Constance Sathre

Office of NMFS General Counsel

Phone: (301) 713-9679

Fax: (301) 713-0372

Email: constance.sathre@noaa.gov

Joe Terry

Office of Science and Technology

Phone: (858) 546-7197 

Fax: (858) 546-7003

Email: joe.terry@noaa.gov

Jeremy Willson

Pacific Islands Regional Office

Phone: (808) 944-2237

Fax: (808) 973-2941

Email: jeremy.willson@noaa.gov

Appendix G Membership of the National Bycatch Report National Steering Committee

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

T-Appendix G.indd 489 12/28/11 
490

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

T-Appendix G.indd 490 12/28/11 
491

APPENDIX H

A1. Bycatch Data Adequacy: 

Observer Data (maximum of 33 points)

An evaluation of the adequacy of at-sea observer bycatch 

data was conducted for each fishery that is currently observed, or has been observed in the past. All fisheries with 

at-sea observer programs designed to either estimate bycatch or total catch were evaluated. Fisheries that have 

never had observer coverage were scored as zero. The 

criteria included in evaluating observer bycatch data were:

Longevity of Observer Program (maximum of 5 points): 

This criterion evaluated the longevity of the observer program and whether the program is multiyear in nature. 

0 = No observer program has ever been implemented

1 = Observer program was conducted prior to 1995

2 = Observer program was conducted on one or more occasions during 1995–2000, but not annually

3 = Observer program was conducted annually during 

1995–2000 and not subsequently

4 = Observer program was conducted on one or more occasions from 2001 to present (i.e. 2006), but not annually

5 = Observer program has been conducted annually from 

2001 to present (i.e. 2006)

Sampling Frame (maximum of 3 points): This criterion 

evaluated the sampling frame for placing observers on 

commercial fishing vessels. An evaluation of the sampling 

frame considered whether the frame is partially or completely developed, and assessed how well the sampling 

frame reflects the target population and program goals.

0 = No sampling frame

2 = Partial sampling frame

3 = Complete sampling frame

Sampling Design (maximum of 12 points): This criterion 

evaluated the overall sampling design of the observer program, relative to the goal of bycatch or total catch estimation. If a formal observer program sampling design had 

been developed, the scores indicated the type of sampling 

conducted at the vessel/permit/license, trip, and haul levels.

Sampling of Vessels/Permits/Licenses

0 = No observer program, or sampling design does not 

support bycatch or total catch estimation

1 = Opportunistic or haphazard sampling, including voluntary observer programs, to support bycatch or total 

catch estimation

2 = Random sampling scheme or probability-based sampling with moderate observer coverage levels to support bycatch or total catch estimation

3 = Random sampling scheme or probability sampling with 

adequate observer coverage levels to support bycatch 

or total catch estimation

4 = Near-census of vessels with estimation required, or 

census of vessels with no estimation required

Sampling of Trips

0 = No observer program, or sampling design does not 

support bycatch or total catch estimation

1 = Opportunistic or haphazard sampling, including voluntary observer programs, to support bycatch or total 

catch estimation

2 = Random sampling scheme or probability-based sampling with pilot/baseline observer coverage levels to 

support bycatch or total catch estimation

3 = Random sampling scheme or probability sampling with 

adequate observer coverage levels to support bycatch 

or total catch estimation

4 = Near-census of trips with estimation required, or census of trips with no estimation required

Sampling of Hauls

0 = No observer program, or sampling design does not 

support bycatch or total catch estimation

1 = Opportunistic or haphazard sampling, including voluntary observer programs, to support bycatch or total 

catch estimation

2 = Random sampling scheme or probability-based sampling to support bycatch or total catch estimation

3 = Near-census of hauls with estimation required

4 = Census of hauls with no estimation required

Appendix H Details of Scoring and Tier Classification System

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

T-Appendix H.indd 491 12/28/11 
492

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Design Implementation (maximum of 8 points): This criterion evaluated the overall implementation of the observer 

program sampling design. Factors considered include the 

spatial and temporal coverage of the program, vessel selection bias, and observer bias.

Data Quality Control (maximum of 5 points): This criterion 

evaluated the overall data quality control of the observer 

program. Data quality control for observer programs involves a variety of activities, including observer training, observer debriefing, data editors, electronic range and other 

data checks, and observer/contractor incentive programs 

to improve data quality. The scoring system attempted to 

quantify the level of data quality control.

0 = No observer program, or no data quality control

1 = Limited or incomplete observer training, no debriefing 

or other quality control

2 = One-time observer training, no debriefing or other 

quality control measures

3 = Periodic observer training, minimal quality control 

measures

4 = One-time observer training, comprehensive quality 

control measures

5 = Periodic observer training, comprehensive quality control measures

A2. Bycatch Data Adequacy: 

Industry Bycatch Data (maximum of 2 points)

This criterion evaluated the availability and use of selfreported industry bycatch data (e.g. logbooks, trip tickets). 

This criterion was evaluated for all fisheries. However, if the 

observer bycatch data are used as the basis of the bycatch 

estimation the maximum score of 2 points was applied.

0 = No industry bycatch data available, or industry bycatch 

data are not used as a basis for bycatch estimates

1 = Industry bycatch data available prior to 2000 are used 

as a basis for bycatch estimates

2 = Industry bycatch data available from 2000 to present 

are used as a basis for bycatch estimates

Sub-criteria Point Scores

Spatial Coverage Add 0 points if no observer program 

has ever been implemented.

Add 1 point if spatial coverage 

is limited.

Add 2 points if spatial coverage is 

synoptic.

Temporal Coverage Add 0 points if no observer program 

has ever been implemented.

Add 1 point if temporal 

coverage is limited.

Add 2 points if temporal coverage 

is synoptic.

Vessel Selection Bias Add 0 points if vessel selection bias 

is high or unknown.

Add 2 points if vessel selection 

bias is negligible or no bias exists.

Observer Bias Add 0 points if observer bias is high 

or unknown.

Add 2 points if observer bias is 

negligible or no bias exists.

T-Appendix H.indd 492 12/28/11 
493

APPENDIX H

B. Bycatch Data: 

Supplemental Data (maximum of 10 points) 

These criteria evaluated the quantity and quality of supplemental data (e.g. logbooks, state data, and environmental 

data). Specific criteria evaluated the use of supplemental data to estimate or verify the sampling frame, expand 

observer data for unobserved components of the fishery, 

verify logbook data, stratify data and impute estimates, and 

identify model covariates.

Sub-criteria Point Scores

Data available for use 

as expansion factors for 

unobserved components of the 

fishery

Add 0 points if supplemental 

data are not available as 

expansion factors.

Add 1 point if limited 

supplemental data are available 

as expansion factors.

Add 2 points if extensive 

supplemental data are available 

or data are not necessary as 

expansion factors.

Data available for stratification

Add 0 points if supplemental 

data are not available for 

stratification.

Add 1 point if limited 

supplemental data are available 

for stratification.

Add 2 points if extensive 

supplemental data are available 

or data are not necessary for 

stratification.

Data available for imputation

Add 0 points if supplemental 

data are not available for 

imputation.

Add 1 point if limited 

supplemental data are available 

for imputation.

Add 2 points if extensive 

supplemental data are available 

or data are not necessary for 

imputation.

Data available for model 

covariates

Add 0 points if supplemental 

data are not available for model 

covariates.

Add 1 point if limited 

supplemental data are available 

for model covariates.

Add 2 points if extensive 

supplemental data are available 

or data are not necessary for 

model covariates.

Industry data verified

Add 0 points if industry data are 

not verified or no industry data 

are available.

Add 1 point if some relevant 

industry data are verified.

Add 2 points if all relevant 

industry data are verified.

C. Database / IT Considerations 

(maximum of 3 points)

This criterion evaluated the integration and linkages between observer data and supplemental data in order to improve the ability to produce timely bycatch estimates. If no 

observer data and/or supplemental data are available this 

criterion was scored as zero.

0 = No observer data and/or supplemental data available

1 = Analytical approach is constrained because of database/IT considerations

3 = Analytical approach is not constrained because of database/IT considerations

D. Analytical Approach 

(maximum of 25 points)

All fisheries were evaluated for analytical approach; however, if no analytical approach had been developed for estimation of total catch or bycatch in a fishery, the overall 

score for this criterion is zero.

Assumptions Identified, Tested, and Appropriate (maximum 

of 10 points): This criterion evaluated the assumptions of 

the analytical approach. The evaluation involved a determination of how well the assumptions of the approach have 

been identified and resolved. The scoring system attempted to provide a measure of gradient in these attributes.

0 = No bycatch estimation methodologies

1 = Assumptions not identified or tested

3 = Assumptions identified and tested, but no assumptions have been resolved

5 = Minor assumptions identified, tested, and determined 

to be appropriate or resolved

8 = Critical assumptions identified, tested, and determined to be appropriate or resolved

10 = All assumptions identified, tested, and determined to 

be appropriate or resolved

T-Appendix H.indd 493 12/28/11 
494

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

Peer Reviewed / Published (maximum of 8 points): This criterion evaluated whether the observer program sampling 

design and the analytical approach for estimating bycatch 

or total catch have been peer reviewed. 

Statistical Bias of Estimators (maximum of 4 points): This 

criterion evaluated the statistical bias of the bycatch estimators, in particular whether there is any statistical bias associated with the estimator. Factors that were considered 

included measures of association, cross validation, and 

overfitting.

 

0 = No bycatch estimation methods, or statistical bias is 

unknown

2 = Estimators have high statistical bias

4 = Estimators have negligible statistical bias or are not 

statistically biased, or census sampling was used

Measures of Uncertainty (maximum of 3 points): This criterion evaluated whether measures of uncertainty (coefficients of variation) are calculated at various levels of sampling (vessel/permit/license, trip, and haul).

0 = No bycatch estimation methods

1 = Measures of uncertainty are not calculated

2 = Measures of uncertainty are calculated, but not at all 

levels (vessel/permit/license, trip, and haul)

3 = Measures of uncertainty are calculated at all levels 

(vessel/permit/license, trip, and haul)

Sub-criteria Point Scores

Observer Program Sampling 

Design

Add 0 points if the observer 

program sampling design has 

not been peer reviewed, or if 

the sampling design is found to 

be seriously flawed during peer 

review.

Add 2 points if the observer 

program sampling design has 

been internally peer reviewed, 

or if problems were found 

during a peer review but they 

have not been fully addressed.

Add 4 points if the observer 

program sampling design has 

been externally peer reviewed.

Analytical Approach

Add 0 points if the analytical 

approach has not been peer 

reviewed, or if the analytical 

approach is found to be 

seriously flawed during peer 

review.

Add 2 points if the analytical 

approach has been internally 

peer reviewed, or if problems 

were found during a peer 

review but they have not been 

fully addressed.

Add 4 points if the analytical 

approach has been externally 

peer reviewed.

T-Appendix H.indd 494 12/28/11 
495

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo Fish

Actinaria Sea anemone, unidentified Fish

Aetobatus narinari Spotted eagle ray Fish

Albatrossia pectoralis Giant grenadier Fish

Alepisaurus brevirostris Shortnose lancetfish Fish

Alepisaurus ferox Longnose lancetfish Fish

Alopiidae Thresher sharks (unidentified) Fish

Alopias spp. Thresher sharks Fish

Alopias pelagicus Pelagic thresher Fish

Alopias superciliosus Bigeye thresher Fish

Alopias vulpinus Thresher shark Fish

Ammodytes hexapterus Pacific sand lance Fish

Anguilliformes True eels Fish

Anisotremus virginicus Porkfish Fish

Anoplopoma fimbria Sablefish Fish

Apsilus dentatus Black snapper Fish

Arctica islandica Ocean quahog Fish

Ariidae Sea catfishes Fish

Assurger anzac Razorback scabbardfish Fish

Asteroidea Sea star Fish

Atheresthes stomias Arrowtooth flounder Fish

Bagre marinus Gafftopsail catfish Fish

Balaenoptera edeni Brydes whale Marine mammal

Balistes capriscus Gray triggerfish Fish

Balistidae Triggerfish (unidentified) Fish

Balistidae Triggerfishes Fish

Batrachoididae Toad fishes Fish

Bivalvia Bivalves Fish

Brevoortia smithi Yellowfin menhaden Fish

Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic menhaden Fish

Calamus bajonado Jolthead porgy Fish

Calamus leucosteus Whitebone porgy Fish

Appendix I Living Marine Resources with U.S. National Bycatch Report Bycatch Estimates 

Due to differences in naming conventions between NMFS regions, some listings may 

appear redundant (e.g. “unidentified skates” and “other skates”). All taxa used in the 

report are included in this appendix. Marine resource types are those categories used 

within the report (e.g., fish, marine mammal, sea turtle, seabird). 

(rev. 30 Sept. 2011)

T-Appendix I.indd 495 12/28/11 
496

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Calamus nodosus Knobbed porgy Fish

Callorhinus ursinus Northern fur seal Marine mammal

Cancer magister Dungeness crab Fish

Canthidermis maculata Rough triggerfish Fish

Carangidae Jacks and pompanos Fish

Caranx bartholomaei Yellow jack Fish

Caranx crysos Blue runner Fish

Caranx hippos Crevalle jack Fish

Caranx ruber Bar jack Fish

Carcharhinus acronotus Blacknose shark Fish

Carcharhinus altimus Bignose shark Fish

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos Grey reef shark Fish

Carcharhinus brevipinna Spinner shark Fish

Carcharhinus falciformis Silky shark Fish

Carcharhinus galapagensis Galapagos shark Fish

Carcharhinus leucas Bull shark Fish

Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip shark Fish

Carcharhinus longimanus Oceanic whitetip shark Fish

Carcharhinus obscurus Dusky shark Fish

Carcharhinus perezii Reef shark Fish

Carcharhinus plumbeus Sandbar shark Fish

Carcharias taurus Sand tiger Fish

Carcharodon carcharias White shark Fish

Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Sea turtle

Caulolatilus microps Blueline tilefish Fish

Centropristis ocyurus Bank sea bass Fish

Centropristis philadelphica Rock sea bass Fish

Centropristis striata Black sea bass Fish

Cetacea Cetacean (unidentified) Marine mammal

Chaceon quinquedens Red deepsea crab Fish

Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish Fish

Chaetodontidae Butterflyfishes Fish

Chelonia mydas Green sea turtle Sea turtle

Chionoecetes bairdi Southern Tanner crab Fish

Chionoecetes opilio Snow crab Fish

Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper Fish

Chondrichthyes Cartilaginous fishes Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 496 12/28/11 
497

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Chondrichthyes Shark (unidentified) Fish

Clupea harengus Atlantic herring Fish

Clupea pallasi Herring Fish

Conger oceanicus Conger eel Fish

Coryphaena spp. Dolphinfishes Fish

Coryphaena equiselis Pompano dolphinfish Fish

Coryphaena hippurus Dolphinfish Fish

Cottidae Large sculpins Fish

Cottidae Other sculpins Fish

Crustaceamorpha Miscellaneous crustaceans Fish

Cubiceps spp. Driftfishes Fish

Cynoscion spp. Seatrouts and weakfishes Fish

Cynoscion arenarius Sand seatrout Fish

Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted seatrout Fish

Cynoscion nothus Silver seatrout Fish

Dasyatis spp. Whiptail stingray—South 

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Fish

Dasyatis violacea Pelagic stingray Fish

Decapoda Miscellaneous crabs Fish

Decapoda Squid Fish

Delphinus capensis Common dolphin, long-beaked Marine mammal

Delphinus delphis Common dolphin Marine mammal

Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback sea turtle Sea turtle

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish Fish

Elagatis bipinnulata Rainbow runner Fish

Elasmobranchii Sharks Fish

Elops saurus Ladyfish Fish

Eopsetta jordani Petrale sole Fish

Ephippidae Spadefishes Fish

Epinephelus adscensionis Rock hind Fish

Epinephelus cruentatus Graysby Fish

Epinephelus drummondhayi Speckled hind Fish

Epinephelus flavolimbatus Yellowedge grouper Fish

Epinephelus guttatus Red hind Fish

Epinephelus itajara Goliath grouper Fish

Epinephelus morio Red grouper Fish

Epinephelus nigritus Warsaw grouper Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 497 12/28/11 
498

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Epinephelus niveatus Snowy grouper Fish

Epinephelus striatus Nassau grouper Fish

Erignathus barbatus Bearded seal Marine mammal

Erythrocles monodi Crimson rover Fish

Eschrichtius robustus Gray whale Marine mammal

Eumegistus illustris Lustrous pomfret Fish

Eumetopias jubatus Steller sea lion Marine mammal

Euthynnus affinis Kawakawa Fish

Euthynnus alletteratus Little tunny Fish

Euthynnus pelamis Skipjack tuna Fish

Fulmarus glacialis Northern fulmar Seabird

Gadus macrocephalus Pacific cod Fish

Gadus morhua Atlantic cod Fish

Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger shark Fish

Galeocerdo cuvieri Tiger shark Fish

Gastropoda Snails Fish

Gempylus serpens Snake mackerel Fish

Ginglymostoma cirratum Nurse shark Fish

Globicephala spp. Pilot whales Marine mammal

Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale Marine mammal

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus Witch flounder Fish

Glyptocephalus zachirus Rex sole Fish

Grampus griseus Risso’s dolphin Marine mammal

Haemulidae Grunts Fish

Haemulon album Margate Fish

Haemulon aurolineatum Tomtate Fish

Haemulon flavolineatum French grunt Fish

Haemulon plumieri White grunt Fish

Hemiramphus brasiliensis Ballyhoo Fish

Hexagrammidae Greenlings Fish

Hexagrammos decagrammus Kelp greenling Fish

Hexanchus griseus Bluntnose sixgill shark Fish

Hippoglossoides elassodon Flathead sole Fish

Hippoglossoides platessoides American plaice Fish

Hippoglossus hippoglossus Atlantic halibut Fish

Hippoglossus stenolepis Pacific halibut Fish

Holocentridae Squirrelfishes Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 498 12/28/11 
499

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Hyperoglyphe perciformis Barrelfish Fish

Hypomesus pretiosus Surf smelt Fish

Illex illecebrosus Northern shortfin squid Fish

Isistius brasiliensis Cookiecutter shark Fish

Istiophorus albicans Atlantic sailfish Fish

Istiophorus platypterus Sailfish Fish

Isurus spp. Mako sharks Fish

Isurus oxyrinchus Shortfin mako Fish

Isurus paucus Longfin mako Fish

Katsuwonus pelamis Skipjack tuna Fish

Kyphosidae Sea chubs Fish

Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish Fish

Lagenorhynchus acutus Atlantic white-sided dolphin Marine mammal

Lagenorhynchus obliquidens Pacific white-sided dolphin Marine mammal

Lagocephalus lagocephalus Pelagic puffer Fish

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish Fish

Lamna ditropis Salmon shark Fish

Lampris guttatus Opah Fish

Larimus fasciatus Banded drum Fish

Leiostomus xanthurus Spot Fish

Lepidochelys kempii Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Sea turtle

Lepidochelys olivacea Olive ridley sea turtle Sea turtle

Lepidocybium flavobrunneum Escolar Fish

Limanda aspera Yellowfin sole Fish

Limanda ferruginea Yellowtail flounder Fish

Lissodelphis borealis Northern right whale dolphin Marine mammal

Lithodes aequispina Golden king crab Fish

Lobotes surinamensis Tripletail Fish

Loligo pealeii Longfin inshore squid Fish

Lophius americanus Goosefish Fish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps Tilefish Fish

Lophotus lacepede Crestfish Fish

Lutjanidae Snappers Fish

Lutjanus analis Mutton snapper Fish

Lutjanus buccanella Blackfin snapper Fish

Lutjanus campechanus Red snapper Fish

Lutjanus griseus Gray snapper Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 499 12/28/11 
500

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Lutjanus purpureus Caribbean red snapper Fish

Lutjanus synagris Lane snapper Fish

Lutjanus vivanus Silk snapper Fish

Luvarus imperialis Louvar Fish

Makaira indica Black marlin Fish

Makaira mazara Indo-Pacific blue marlin Fish

Makaira nigricans Blue marlin Fish

Malacanthidae Tilefishes Fish

Malacanthus plumieri Sand tilefish Fish

Mallotus villosus Capelin Fish

Manta birostris Atlantic manta Fish

Masturus lanceolatus Sharptail mola Fish

Megalops atlanticus Tarpon Fish

Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Marine mammal

Melanogrammus aeglefinus Haddock Fish

Merluccius albidus Offshore hake Fish

Merluccius bilinearis Silver hake Fish

Merluccius productus Pacific hake Fish

Mesoplodon densirostris Blainville’s beaked whale Marine mammal

Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker Fish

Microstomus pacificus Dover sole Fish

Mirounga angustirostris Northern elephant seal Marine mammal

Mobula spp. Mobulas (unidentified) Fish

Mobulidae Mantas (unidentified) Fish

Mola mola Ocean sunfish Fish

Morus bassanus Northern gannet Seabird

Muraenidae Moray eels Fish

Mustelus canis Smooth dogfish Fish

Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper Fish

Mycteroperca interstitialis Yellowmouth grouper Fish

Mycteroperca microlepis Gag Fish

Mycteroperca phenax Scamp Fish

Mycteroperca venenosa Yellowfin grouper Fish

Myctophidae Lanternfishes Fish

Naucrates ductor Pilotfish Fish

Negaprion brevirostris Lemon shark Fish

Notorynchus cepedianus Bluntnose sevengill shark Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 500 12/28/11 
501

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Oceanites oceanicus Wilson’s storm-petrel Seabird

Octocorallia Blue coral, soft corals, 

sea pens, and gorgonians Fish

Octopoda Octopus Fish

Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper Fish

Odobenus rosmarus divergens Pacific walrus Marine mammal

Odontaspis taurus Sand tiger shark Fish

Omosudis lowei Hammerjaw Fish

Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho salmon Fish

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon Fish

Ophichthidae Snake eels Fish

Ophiodon elongatus Lingcod Fish

Ophiuroidea Brittle star (unidentified) Fish

Orcinus orca Killer whale Marine mammal

Pagrus pagrus Red porgy Fish

Paguroidea Hermit crab (unidentified) Fish

Paralichthys dentatus Summer flounder Fish

Paralichthys lethostigma Southern flounder Fish

Paralithodes camtschaticus Red king crab Fish

Paralithodes platypus Blue king crab Fish

Paraplagusia bilineata Doublelined tonguesole Fish

Parophrys vetulus English sole Fish

Pelecanus occidentalis Brown pelican Seabird

Pandalus spp. Pandalid shrimp Fish

Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish Fish

Phoca fasciata Ribbon seal Marine mammal

Phoca hispida Ringed seal Marine mammal

Phoca largha Spotted seal Marine mammal

Phoca vitulina Harbor seal Marine mammal

Phoca vitulina richardsi Harbor seal Marine mammal

Phocoena phocoena Harbor porpoise Marine mammal

Phocoenoides dalli Dall’s porpoise Marine mammal

Phoebastria albatrus Short-tailed albatross Seabird

Phoebastria immutabilis Laysan albatross Seabird

Phoebastria nigripes Black-footed albatross Seabird

Pholidae Gunnels Fish

Physeter macrocephalus Sperm whale Marine mammal

Placopecten magellanicus Sea scallop Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 501 12/28/11 
502

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Platyrhinoidis triseriata Thornback Fish

Pleurogrammus monopterygius Atka mackerel Fish

Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus Alaska plaice Fish

Pleuronectiformes Flatfishes Fish

Pogonias cromis Black drum Fish

Pollachius virens Pollock Fish

Polychaeta Polychaete (unidentified) Fish

Polyprion americanus Wreckfish Fish

Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish Fish

Porifera Sponge (unidentified) Fish

Prionace glauca Blue shark Fish

Pristis pectinata Smalltooth sawfish Fish

Promethichthys prometheus Roudi escolar Fish

Pseudocarcharias kamoharai Crocodile shark Fish

Pseudopleuronectes americanus Winter flounder Fish

Pseudorca crassidens False killer whale Marine mammal

Puffinus gravis Greater shearwater Seabird

Rachycentron canadum Cobia Fish

Raja binoculata Big skate Fish

Raja rhina Longnose skate Fish

Rajidae Skate Fish

Rajiformes Other rays Fish

Rajiformes Ray (unidentified) Fish

Rajiformes Rays, sawfish, and skates Fish

Rajiformes Rays, sawfish, and skates—

South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Fish

Ranzania laevis Slender mola Fish

Regalecus glesne Oarfish Fish

Reinhardtius hippoglossoides Greenland halibut Fish

Remora remora Remora Fish

Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose ray Fish

Rhizoprionodon porosus Caribbean sharpnose shark Fish

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark Fish

Rhomboplites aurorubens Vermilion snapper Fish

Rissa brevirostris Red-legged kittiwake Seabird

Ruvettus pretiosus Oilfish Fish

Salmo salar Atlantic salmon Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 502 12/28/11 
503

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Sarda chiliensis Pacific bonito Fish

Sarda sarda Atlantic bonito Fish

Scaridae Parrotfishes Fish

Sciaenops ocellatus Red drum Fish

Scomber japonicus Pacific chub mackerel Fish

Scomber scombrus Atlantic mackerel Fish

Scomberomorus spp. Mackerels Fish

Scomberomorus cavalla King mackerel Fish

Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish mackerel Fish

Scombrolabrax heterolepis Black mackerel Fish

Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane Fish

Scorpaenichthys marmoratus Cabezon Fish

Scorpaenidae Scorpionfishes Fish

Scymnodon squamulosus Velvet dogfish Fish

Scyphozoa Scypho jellies Fish

Sebastes aleutianus Rougheye rockfish Fish

Sebastes alutus Pacific ocean perch Fish

Sebastes borealis Shortraker rockfish Fish

Sebastes crameri Darkblotched rockfish Fish

Sebastes diploproa Splitnose rockfish Fish

Sebastes entomelas Widow rockfish Fish

Sebastes fasciatus Acadian redfish Fish

Sebastes flavidus Yellowtail rockfish Fish

Sebastes goodei Chilipepper Fish

Sebastes jordani Shortbelly rockfish Fish

Sebastes levis Cowcod Fish

Sebastes melanops Black rockfish Fish

Sebastes melanostomus Blackgill rockfish Fish

Sebastes mystinus Blue rockfish Fish

Sebastes paucispinis Bocaccio Fish

Sebastes pinniger Canary rockfish Fish

Sebastes polyspinis Northern rockfish Fish

Sebastes ruberrimus Yelloweye rockfish Fish

Sebastolobus alascanus Shortspine thornyhead Fish

Sebastolobus altivelis Longspine thornyhead Fish

Selene setapinnis Atlantic moonfish Fish

Semicossyphus pulcher California sheephead Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 503 12/28/11 
504

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Seriola spp. Amberfishes, banded rudderfish, 

amberjacks, and yellowtails Fish

Seriola dumerili Greater amberjack Fish

Seriola fasciata Lesser amberjack Fish

Seriola lalandi Yellowtail jack Fish

Seriola rivoliana Almaco jack Fish

Seriola zonata Banded rudderfish Fish

Serranidae Groupers and sea basses Fish

Sparidae Breams and porgies Fish

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda Fish

Sphyraenidae Barracudas Fish

Sphyrna spp. Hammerhead sharks Fish

Sphyrna lewini Scalloped hammerhead Fish

Sphyrna mokarran Great hammerhead Fish

Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Fish

Sphyrna zygaena Smooth hammerhead Fish

Sphyrnidae Hammerhead sharks Fish

Spisula solidissima Atlantic surfclam Fish

Squalidae Dogfish sharks Fish

Squalus acanthias Spiny dogfish Fish

Squatina dumeril Atlantic angelshark Fish

Stenella attenuata Pantropical spotted dolphin Marine mammal

Stenella coeruleoalba Striped dolphin Marine mammal

Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Marine mammal

Stenella longirostris Spinner dolphin Marine mammal

Stenotomus caprinus Longspine porgy Fish

Stenotomus chrysops Scup Fish

Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish Fish

Sula leucogaster Brown booby Seabird

Taractes asper Rough pomfret Fish

Taractes rubescens Knifetail pomfret Fish

Taractichthys steindachneri Sickle pomfret Fish

Teleostomi Miscellaneous deep fish Fish

Teleostomi Miscellaneous fish Fish

Tetraodontidae Blowfishes Fish

Tetrapturus spp. Marlins and spearfishes Fish

Tetrapturus albidus White marlin Fish

Tetrapturus angustirostris Shortbill spearfish Fish

T-Appendix I.indd 504 12/28/11 
505

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY SPECIES NAME AND TYPE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME MARINE RESOURCE TYPE

Tetrapturus audax Striped marlin Fish

Thaleichthys pacificus Eulachon Fish

Theragra chalcogramma Walleye pollock Fish

Thunnus alalunga Albacore Fish

Thunnus albacares Yellowfin tuna Fish

Thunnus atlanticus Blackfin tuna Fish

Thunnus obesus Bigeye tuna Fish

Thunnus orientalis Pacific bluefin tuna Fish

Thunnus thynnus Bluefin tuna Fish

Trachinotus falcatus Permit Fish

Trachipterus altivelis King-of-salmon Fish

Trachipterus fukuzakii Tapertail ribbonfish Fish

Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic cutlassfish Fish

Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Marine mammal

Uraspis spp. Jacks (unidentified) Fish

Urochordata Benthic urochordata Fish

Urophycis spp. Hakes Fish

Urophycis chuss Red hake Fish

Urophycis tenuis White hake Fish

Xiphias gladius Swordfish Fish

Zalophus californianus California sea lion Marine mammal

Zoarces americanus Ocean pout Fish

Zoarcidae Eelpouts Fish

Zu cristatus Scalloped ribbonfish Fish

RESOURCES BY GROUP NAME AND TYPE

GROUP SPECIES GROUP TYPE

GROUP DESCRIPTION 

(MAJOR SPECIES)

Alcid Seabird Auks, auklets, murres, murrelets, puffins, 

and guillemots

All seabirds Seabird All seabirds

Beaked whale (unidentified) Marine mammal Family Ziphiidae

Billfishes Fish Sailfishes, spearfishes, marlins

Bony fishes Fish Class Osteichthyes

Bony fishes (other) Fish Class Osteichthyes

Bony fishes (unidentified) Fish Class Osteichthyes

Brama pomfrets (unidentified) Fish Unidentified brama pomfret

T-Appendix I.indd 505 12/28/11 
506

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY GROUP NAME AND TYPE

GROUP SPECIES GROUP TYPE

GROUP DESCRIPTION 

(MAJOR SPECIES)

Cartilaginous fishes Fish Class Chondrichthyes

Coastal shark group 1, South Atlantic Fish

Night, silky, scalloped hammerhead, tiger, 

dusky, hammerhead, sandbar, bignose, 

and spinner sharks

Coastal shark group 2, South Atlantic Fish

Shortfin mako, longfin mako, thresher, 

porbeagle, oceanic whitetip, common 

thresher, mako, and bigeye thresher sharks

Bryozoans/hydroids Fish Unidentified bryozoans, hydroids, and 

corals

Deep sea smelts (Bathylagidae) Fish Unclassified deep sea smelt

Deep water flatfish Fish Unclassified deep water flatfish

Deeper nearshore species Fish

Black-and-yellow rockfish, blue rockfish, 

brown rockfish, calico rockfish, copper 

rockfish, olive rockfish, treefish, unspecified 

nearshore rockfish

Demersal shelf rockfish Fish Unclassified demersal shelf rockfish

False killer or short-finned pilot whale 

(unidentified) Marine mammal Unidentified whale: either short-finned pilot 

whale or false killer whale

Finfishes, unclassified, general Fish Unclassified finfish

Flatfish Fish Unclassified flatfish

Gannet Seabird Unclassified gannet

Grenadier Fish Unclassified grenadier

Grouped finfish other than listed, Gulf of 

Mexico Fish Other grouped finfishes

Grouped sharks, Gulf of Mexico Fish Grouped sharks other than listed

Gull Seabird Unclassified gull

Invertebrate, unidentified Fish Unidentified invertebrate

Mako sharks Fish Unclassified mako shark

Non-Chinook salmon Fish Unclassified non-Chinook salmon

Non-crustacean invertebrates, Gulf of 

Mexico Fish Unidentified non-crustacean invertebrate

Non-penaeid shrimp crustacean, Gulf of 

Mexico Fish Unidentified shrimp, non-penaeid

Other flatfish1 Fish

Alaska plaice, butter sole, Curlfin 

sole, flathead sole, greeenland turbot, 

Kamchatka flounder, rex sole, rock sole, 

sand sole, yellowfin sole, other flatfish, 

unspecified turbot, unspecified flatfish

Other flatfish 2 Fish Flathead sole, Pacific sandab, rex sole

Other flatfish 3 Fish Rock sole, sand sole, unspecified turbot, 

unspecified flatfish

Other groundfish 1 Fish

Atka mackerel, big skate, cabezon, 

California skate, capelin, kelp greenling, 

lepard shark, longnose skate, Pacific skate, 

soupfin shark, spotted ratfish, walleye 

pollock, unspecified rockfish, unspecified 

roundfish, unspecified groundfish, 

unspecified skates, unspecified sharks, 

unspecified flatfish, unspecified grenardiers

T-Appendix I.indd 506 12/28/11 
507

APPENDIX I

RESOURCES BY GROUP NAME AND TYPE

GROUP SPECIES GROUP TYPE

GROUP DESCRIPTION 

(MAJOR SPECIES)

Other groundfish 2 Fish Kelp greenling, soupfin shark, spotted 

ratfish

Other groundfish 3 Fish

Lepoard shark, Pacific whiting, soupfin 

shark, spotted ratfish, unspecified 

grenadiers

Other Lutjanus spp., Gulf of Mexico Fish Other snapper species

Other minor nearshore rockfish, North Fish

Black-and-yellow rockfish, brown rockfish, 

calico rockfish, China rockfish, copper 

rockfish, gopher rockfish, grass rockfish, 

kelp rockfish, olive rockfish, quillback 

rockfish, treefish, unspecified nearshore 

rockfish

Other nearshore rockfish Fish

Black-and-yellow rockfish, blue rockfish, 

brown rockfish, calico rockfish, california 

scorpionfish, China rockfish, copper 

rockfish, gopher rockfish, grass rockfish, 

kelp rockfish, olive rockfish, quillback 

rockfish, treefish, unspecified nearshore 

rockfish

Other osmerids Fish Other smelts

Other seabird Seabird Other seabird

Other shelf rockfish 1 Fish

Bocaccio, bronzespotted rockfish, 

chameleon rockfish, dwarf-red 

rockfish, flag rockfish, freckled rockfish, 

greenblotched rockfish, greenspotted 

rockfish, greenstriped rockfish, halfbanded 

rockfish, honeycomb rockfish, Mexican 

rockfish, pink rockfish, pinkrose rockfish, 

Puget Sound rockfish, pygmy rockfish, 

redbanded rockfish, redstripe rockfish, 

rosethorn rockfish, rosy rockfish, silvergrey 

rockfish, speckled rockfish, squarespot 

rockfish, starry rockfish, stripetail rockfish, 

swordspine rockfish, tiger rockfish, 

vermillion rockfish, unspecified shelf 

rockfish

Other shelf rockfish 2 Fish

Greenstriped rockfish, redstripe rockfish, 

rosethorn rockfish, silvergray rockfish, 

stripetail rockfish

Other shelf rockfish 3 Fish

Bocaccio, bronzespotted rockfish, 

chameleon rockfish, chilipepper rockfish, 

dwarf-red rockfish, flag rockfish, freckled 

rockfish, greenblotched rockfish, 

greenspotted rockfish, greenstriped 

rockfish, halfbanded rockfish, harlequin 

rockfish, honeycomb rockfish, Mexican 

rockfish, pink rockfish, pinkrose rockfish, 

Puget Sound rockfish, pygmy rockfish, 

redbanded rockfish, redstripe rockfish, 

rosethorn rockfish, rosy rockfish, silvergrey 

rockfish, speckled rockfish, squarespot 

rockfish, starry rockfish, stripetail rockfish, 

swordspine rockfish, tiger rockfish, 

vermillion rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, 

unspecified shelf rockfish

T-Appendix I.indd 507 12/28/11 
508

U.S. NATIONAL BYCATCH REPORT

RESOURCES BY GROUP NAME AND TYPE

GROUP SPECIES GROUP TYPE

GROUP DESCRIPTION 

(MAJOR SPECIES)

Other slope rockfish 1 Fish

Aurora rockfish, bank rockfish, blackgill 

rockfish. darkblotched rockfish, rougheye 

rockfish, sharpchin rockfish, shortraker 

rockfish, splitnose rockfish, yellowmouth 

rockfish, unspecified slope rockfish

Other slope rockfish 2 Fish

Aurora rockfish, bank rockfish, redbanded 

rockfish, rougheye rockfish, sharpchin 

rockfish, shortraker rockfish

Other slope rockfish 3 Fish

Aurora rockfish, bank rockfish, blackgill 

rockfish, rougheye rockfish, sharpchin 

rockfish, shortraker rockfish, splitnose 

rockfish, yellowmouth rockfish, unspecified 

slope rockfish

Other species Fish Other species

Pelagic shelf rockfish Fish Dusky rockfish, dark rockfish, yellowtail 

rockfish, widow rockfish.

Pricklebacks (Stichaeidae) Fish Unclassified pricklebacks

Rockfish Fish Unlcassified rockfish

Shallow nearshore species Fish

California scorpionfish, China rockfish, 

gopher rockfish, grass rockfish, kelp 

rockfish, quillback rockfish

Shallow water flatfish Fish Northern rock sole, southern rock sole, 

butter sole, yellowfin sole, starry flounder

Shark (other) Fish Other sharks

Shearwater Seabird Unclassified shearwater

Short-beaked common dolphin 

(unidentified) Marine mammal Unidentified short-beaked common dolphin

Skate complex (NE) Fish

Winter skate, barndoor skate, thorny skate, 

smooth skate, little skate, clearnose skate, 

and rosette skate

Tanner crab Fish Opilio Tanner crab, unspecified Tanner crab

Thresher sharks Fish Unidentified thresher shark

Tunas Fish Unclassified tuna species

Unidentified albatross Bird Unidentified albatross species

Unidentified gull Bird Unidentified gull species

Unidentified procellarids Bird Unidentified shearwater or petrel

Unidentified seabirds Bird Unidentified seabird

Unidentified sea turtle Sea turtle Unidentified sea turtle

Unspecified seabirds Seabird Unspecified seabird

Unspecified skate 1 (NW) Fish Unspecified skate species

Unspecified skate 2 (NW) Fish Big skate, longnose skate, unspecified 

skate

Urchins, dollars, cucumbers Fish Unspecified urchin, sand dollar, sea 

cucumber

T-Appendix I.indd 508 12/28/11 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NAT OI NAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRAT OI N