Dear Fish-Ecology, I am forwarding a message as a favor to a fellow American scientist who is about to join our group. I just thought I'd assist in getting his message out sooner. Please post any response to: Dr. Hal Weeks<[log in to unmask]> ================================================= Hi:
I am looking for background material on other nations efforts to address fishery discards through full retention requirements. In the U.S., the North Pacific Fishery Management Council has adopted full retention requirements for walleye pollock, pacific cod, yellowfin sole and rock sole which together account for roughly 75% of discards in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. Assuming the adopted regulations are approved, the full retention requirement for walleye pollock and P. cod will go into effect 1/1/98, and the requirements for the two flatfish species five years later. As you may know, the fisheries off Alaska have an established observer program.
I am working on a discussion paper of the full retention concept for groundfish fisheries off the west coast of the U.S. This fishery focuses principally on slope species (Sebastes sp, Sebastolobus sp, sablefish/black cod - Anaplopoma fimbria, and Dover sole - Microstomus pacificus). It is generally conducted by smaller boats than fisheries in Alaskan waters, and there is NO mandatory observer program for the fisheries off of OR-WA-CA. Part of this effort is to provide a review of other full retention/no discard programs which may have been implemented elsewhere, including efficacy, enforcement problems, incentives provided and unintended consequences.
Any information/literature references that folks could point me to describing the experiences of Norway, the EU, or others would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
hw Hal Weeks, Ph.D. Bycatch Project Leader Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program 2040 SE Marine Science Dr. Newport, OR 97365 (541) 867-4741 FX (541) 867-0311
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