StructureSpot

Objectives

We propose to form a small, interdisciplinary workgroup of habitat scientists, oceanographers, fishery managers, social scientists, and commercial fishermen to develop ecologically informed models for the specific purpose of reducing butterfish (Prepilus triacanthus) by-catch in the Loligo squid (Loligo pealeii) fishery in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). Using Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) informed habitat models developed with Fisheries and the Environment (FATE) funding merged with behavioral models of squid fishermen, the goals of this proposed research are to:

1. Refine existing habitat models for longfin inshore squid and butterfish which integrates IOOS defined ecologically-explicit data with fisher’s local ecological knowledge (LEK).
2. Combine physical, biological and social models of commercial fishing behaviors to determine fishing practices which reduce butterfish bycatch.
3. Evaluate and calibrate co-occurrence habitat models with industry representatives and management institutions to determine feasibility of using habitat models as a bycatch reduction measure.

Introduction

The mechanistic underpinnings of fish population dynamics are the variations in growth, survival, dispersal and reproductive rates. These are largely regulated by environmental characteristics that define marine habitats. The role of habitat variation in regulating fish population dynamics and fishery production was explicitly recognized by the US congress in the 1996 Amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which states “One of the greatest long-term threats to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries is the continuing loss of marine, estuarine, and other aquatic habitats. Habitat considerations should receive increased attention for the conservation and management of fishery resources of the United States”. However, after more than a decade, fishery scientists and managers are still struggling to define ‘Essential Fish Habitat’ (EFH) much less understand the role of habitat in ecosystem assessment or mechanically informing bycatch reduction. Working in collaboration with MAB fishery stakeholder groups, we propose to refine temporally and spatially explicit co-occurrence habitat models and evaluate experimental approaches to reducing butterfish bycatch in the Loligo squid fishery. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.