Year Three, the Influence of Sink Gillnet Profile on Bycatch of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Mid-Atlantic Monkfish Fishery. Completion Report for Sturgeon Gillnet Study (EA-133F-12-RQ-0697).

摘要

In 2012, five Distinct Population Segments of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) were listed under the Endangered Species Act. A preceding Status Review concluded that bycatch in sink-gillnets was a significant hurdle to Atlantic sturgeon recovery. Over three field seasons (2010-2012), we worked collaboratively with commercial harvesters to modify sink gillnet configurations to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch while still achieving adequate catches of monkfish (Lophius americanus) and winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata), which were the primary target species.