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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF DECEMBER 8,1997 PSA#1987SEABIRD BYCATCH REDUCTION TECHNIQUES IN THE HAWAII PELAGIC LONGLINE
FISHERY Objective: To test the effectiveness of various gear types and
fishing practices for reducing rates of seabird mortality in the
Hawaii pelagic longline fisheries and provide recommendations about the
most efficient, least intrusive method for eliminating bycatch of
seabirds in the north central Pacific. Background: The mortality of
seabirds during commercial longlining operations is a problem worldwide
and methods to reduce it have been developed in numerous fisheries.
There are limited experimental data however on the efficacy of many of
these techniques. Furthermore, every fishery involves different gear
types and interacts with a different suite of bird species. Research is
needed to identify mitigation techniques that are applicable to the
Hawaiian fishing community. Approach: Initiate an investigation of
techniques for reducing bird bycatch on vessels participating in the
Hawaii pelagic longline fishery. The duration of the work should be at
least one year, preferably two, in order to observe seasonal variation
in bird responses to the variety of mitigation techniques either
proposed or already in use in the fishery. The investigators would
require the cooperation of commercial vessels operating in the areas
where fishing activities are most prone to bird interactions. A
combination of experimental testing of techniques and gear
modifications will be used, such as bird lines and poles, towing buoys
and bags, spraying water, bait dyeing, bait thawing, greater weight on
hooks, and multi variate analysis of other pertinent variables such as
time of day and light level during set and haul, vessel speed and
position relative to lines, and location of fishing activity. The
measure of effectiveness will be the rate of bird interaction per hook
set (effort). In addition the investigators will quantify the effect
of various mitigation techniques on catch rate of target species of the
fishery. This project will require the stationing of a field researcher
on at least 5 fishing trips of at least 21 dayseach to the areas where
most bird mortality is occurring. The investigators will also analyze
data acquired during experimental use of bird poles and lines gathered
during swordfish research cruises on the NOAA Vessel Townsend Cromwell.
Data collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service observer
program for the Hawaii pelagic longline fishery would also be available
for evaluation. i. Quantitative comparisons of the effectiveness of
various bird catch reduction techniques; ii. Recommendations about the
most acceptable and effective techniques for the Hawaii fleet; iii.
Summary and analysis of the effects of various bird catch reduction
techniques on fish catch; iv. Recommendations for strategies to
encourage implementation of the most appropriate bird catch reduction
techniques in the Hawaii longline fishery. FUNDING SOURCE: Western
Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council STUDY TIMELINE: 2 year
study from March 1998- February 2000. FEBRUARY 15, 1998 Project
notification begins. The successful applicant is notified. WPRFMC
begins to work with the project contacts to finalize the budgets and
terms of the award. FEBRUARY 30,1998 Turn down letters are sent for
proposals not selected. APRIL 1, 1998 The project is implemented. The
project is a two year study beginning March 1, 1998 -- February 1,
2000. The final report is due to the WPRFMC by February 1, 2000. The
final report will include analyses of data collected, photographs, news
clips, and other pertinent information, as well as recommendations for
reducing the bycatch of seabirds in the Hawaiian longline fishery. The
project contact will also be asked for a final financial report
accounting for all project expenditures. APPLICANT INFORMATION
(Incomplete applications will not be considered.)
Name/Organization/Agency (to be named as Grantee): Address, City,
State, Zip, Phone, Fax, e-mail: PROJECT INFORMATION a. Project
Abstract: A summary of the proposal (one page maximum) b. Proposal:
describe the conservation need the project will address. Methodology --
describe the project's tasks and timetable for implementation; describe
who is doing the work, who is supervising. Management Implications --
how will the results of these analyses be applied to the Hawaiian
Longline fishery. Evaluation -- describe the strategy for monitoring
and evaluating the project results, including how success will be
defined and measured. Contact: Western Pacific Regional Fishery
Management Council ( Paul Dalzell) Suite 1400, 1164 Bishop Street,
Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone: (808)522 6042/8220, fax: 522 8226, email:
paul.dalzell@noaa.gov US Fish & Wildlife Service (Beth Flint, Kevin
Foster) 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Box 50088, Rm 3108 Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808)541 1201/3441, fax 522 1216/3470, email:
beth_flint@mail.fws.gov, kevin_foster@mail.gov Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0377 19971208\SP-0001.MSC)
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