Project Title: Determination of the Impacts of Trap Fishing on Mid-Atlantic Benthic Habitats, with Emphasis on Structure-Forming Invertebrates
Goal or Purpose

To determine, through underwater observations, if fish and lobster traps set in open ocean waters cause damage to underlying epifauna while being set, retrieved, or dragged. 

This project is co-sponsored by the DSCRTP and the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program.
Anticipated Management Application(s)

Black sea bass is a federally managed species that supports important commercial and recreational fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, but data on its Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) is limited. Black sea bass fishing occurs almost exclusively in areas of hard bottom with live covering of anemones, corals, and other emergent epifauna. Setting and retrieval of fish traps, as well as movement of traps caused by storms, may damage the underlying epifauna which act as EFH for the fish and lobster species being targeted. The goal of the study is to determine if fish/lobster traps set in open ocean waters cause damage to underlying epifauna while being set, retrieved, or dragged, to inform managers. (Source: BREP)
Fiscal Funding:
  • FY 2013 @ $50,000

 
Region(s):
  • Mid-Atlantic Council
 Location(s):
  •  None Defined.
Sea whips in the mid-Atlantic. Credit: ©Michael Eversmier
Project Type:
  • Bycatch Analysis
 Point of Contact:
  •  None Defined.
 Office of the Point of Contact:
  •  None Defined.
 Team Members:
  •  None Defined.
Project Title: Determination of the Impacts of Trap Fishing on Mid-Atlantic Benthic Habitats, with Emphasis on Structure-Forming Invertebrates
Methods/Approach

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program and the National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) collaborated in 2013 to jointly support projects that address coral bycatch. This study, conducted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, is a result of that collaboration. The study’s methodology, results, and management relevance will be reported in BREP’s 2014 and 2015 reports to Congress.
Project Results and Management Outcomes  None Defined
Project Title: Determination of the Impacts of Trap Fishing on Mid-Atlantic Benthic Habitats, with Emphasis on Structure-Forming Invertebrates
Internal References:
  •  None Defined
 
Backlinks:
  •  None Defined

FY13_01_image.jpg
Sea whips in the mid-Atlantic. Credit: ©Michael Eversmier