Review and Evaluation of the 1994 Experimental Fishery in Closed Area 2 onGeorges Bank

摘要

During January-June 1994, an experimental fishery was conducted on Georges Bankin the expanded portion of Area II, an area closed to fishing during that period. ('Area II' refers to just the expanded portion of Area II unless noted otherwise.) Purpose of the experimental fishery was to monitor and catch and bycatch of Atlantic cod and haddock in Area II during its closure. During the fishery, 12 vessels from five New England ports made 14 trips, totaling 522 tows and 1881.9 hr fished (gear on bottom). All trips were conducted with Northeast Fisheries Science Center scientific observers on board. Observers recorded data on catches, discards, fishing effort, and gear characteristics, and collected size-frequency samples of haddock and other species. Given that Atlantic cod and haddock together acounted for nearly half (47%) of the total experimental fishery catches in the expanded portion of Area II, and that both of these stocks on Georges Bank are presently at record-low levels of abundance, maintaining the enlarged Area II seasonal closure in 1995 (and thereafer) is prudent as one component of a suit of conservation measures aimed at eliminating the overfished conditions of these stocks.