2000 AGENCY REPORT

Prepared for the

FOURTIETH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TECHNICAL OF THE CANADA-UNITED STATES GROUNDFISH COMMITTEE

compiled by

William H. Barss

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
2040 SE Marine Science Drive
Newport, OR 97365

April 2001

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY REPORT FOR TSC, 2000

2. OREGON

A. AGENCY OVERVIEW

Marine Resources Program (MRP) process of reorganization stalled in 2000. We expect the process to begin again in 2001. By the year 2002, MRP hopes to be realigned under three new divisions, and they will be: 1) Resource Assessment and Analysis under Jim Golden; 2) Resource Monitoring and Sampling under Rod Kaiser and Data Services under Phil Flanders.

In 2000, Carla Sowell filled a new NRS2 Position in Brookings. Her time was split between port biologist duties and groundfish research.

B. MULTISPECIES STUDIES

1. Recreational Fisheries Project:

Sampling of the ocean boat fishery by the Ocean Recreational Boat Survey (ORBS) continued in 2000. Year round sampling in the major ports to evaluate winter activity, initiated during 1999, also continued in 2000. Based on this evaluation, Oregon plans to sample the March through October period during 2001, because approximately 95 percent of the annual fishing occurred during this period in 1999-2000.

Black rockfish continues to be the dominant species caught in the ocean boat fishery. Lingcod and several rockfish species (blue, yellowtail, and canary) are also commonly observed. The fishery for Pacific halibut continues to be very popular.

The ORBS continued to expand its species composition and biological sampling of groundfish species during 2000. Black, blue, canary and yellowtail rockfish otoliths were gathered, in addition to lingcod fin rays, for ageing. ORBS continued to expand the collection of length and weight data from groundfish species.

Other management activities included participation in the PecFIN process and data analysis. We also sponsored public hearings to discuss changes to the management of Pacific halibut, lingcod and rockfish fisheries. See the species section for more details.

Contact Don Bodenmiller for more information (541) 867-4741, ext 223

2. Nearshore Studies:

Oregon completed the third of a five-year project to investigate nearshore bottomfish populations. Funded under the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act, we plan to survey the entire Oregon coast. Species composition, genetic samples, and age structure information will be gathered. This work is also coordinated with Oregon's habitat mapping project.

We continued nearshore work in 2000 with investigations in the area off Coos Bay to Bandon, Oregon. Approximately 1,700 fish of several species were. In 2001, we intend to continue this work off the Oregon south coast.

Contact Don Bodenmiller for more information (541) 867-4741

3. Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey:

Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) samplers continued collecting demographic and creel data in 2000. Species composition sampling, length, and weight sampling was continued.

MRFSS samplers collect fishery data from boat and shore anglers who have fished in the ocean and estuaries. For groundfish species, black rockfish continue to dominate the ocean landings. Surfperch make up the majority of shore based catch. Sturgeon dominate the inland landings. For 2001, the program will begin to collect surfperch age structures and will again collect economic data.

Contact Don Bodenmiller for more information (541) 867-4741

4. Species Composition Sampling:

Species composition sampling of rockfish, thornyheads and other bottomfish continues on commercial trawl landings, commercial fixed gear landings and recreational landings.

Contact Mark Saelens (commercial) or Don Bodenmiller (recreational) for more information (541) 867-4741

5. Finfish Excluder and Shrimp Bycatch Work:

One field project was completed in 2000 that relates to groundfish bycatch in the shrimp fishery. In May 2000, we tested large open areas in the belly of a shrimp trawl, just behind the footrope, as escapement areas for groundfish. Preliminary results were encouraging but were confounded somewhat by differences in efficiency between the two nets. The comparative data suggested small and large flatfish and lingcod utilized the escape areas readily. This study needs to be repeated with better control of footrope height above bottom between the two nets.

For more information contact Bob Hannah at (541) 867-4741, ext 231.

6. Groundish Maturity Study

We collected maturity data on a variety of groundfish, using histology to aid in determining maturity status. So far we have completed analysis of only the petrale sole data. Our sampling goal was to estimate female maturity by length and age, from samples collected prior to spawning aggregation. The data show that this was feasible by sampling in September and using histology to help reliably determine maturity status. The data also indicate that recent maturity data used in assessments for this species relied on samples from time periods when visual assessment of maturity status was unreliable. Analysis of our rockfish data is continuing.

For more information contact Bob Hannah at (541) 867-4741.

7. Whiting Bycatch Sampling:

ODFW continued to coordinate a cooperative observation program to monitor bycatch and collect biological samples of unsorted Pacific whiting landings made at shoreside processors. Cooperators are the fishing industry, ODFW, CDFG, WDFW, PSMFC, NMFS, and PFMC. Observers and staff obtained age samples from 1,050 yellowtail rockfish, 959 widow rockfish, 171 sablefish, 1,050 jack mackerel, 761 Pacific mackerel, and 1,600 Pacific whiting. Additional length frequency samples were taken on 1,150 Pacific whiting.

For more information contact Lara Hutton (541) 867-4741, ext 258.

8. Orford Reef Fixed Gear Survey.

ODFW conducted a pilot study during the summer of 2000, using fixed hook and line gear to sample fish on nearshore rocky reefs. The long-term goal of the project is to develop the ability to consistently survey relative fish abundance on nearshore rocky reefs using fixed gear. The primary objectives during this first year were to determine logistical requirements of fishing different types of fixed gear in different rocky bottom habitat types at shallow depths, compare catch, CPUE, and species composition of the gear types, and collect shallow water rocky reef fish specimens for biological sampling. Sampling was completed at Orford Reef, Oregon, using cable gear and longline gear from a chartered commercial fishing vessel. The gear was fished successfully in various ocean conditions and at the depths planned for the survey. Cable gear performed well in habitat that is difficult to sample, including rugged bottom relief and kelp beds. The analysis for comparing gear types will be completed during spring of 2001.

For information contact Carla Sowell at (541) 412-7395 or odfwbrookings@wave.net.

9. Enhanced Groundfish Data Collection Project (EDCP):

A "public" version of the Enhanced Data Collection Program (EDCP) data was made available in March 2000.  Since then we have worked on a soon to be released final report.  A final CD containing data not available in March will be released with the report.

For more information contact Mark Saelens (541) 867-4741, ext 251.

10. Juvenile Rockfish Recruitment Index Study:

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Program conducted a 3-month pilot project to investigate the potential of sampling estuaries and intertidal areas to develop a juvenile rockfish recruitment index for selected nearshore species. Initial goals were to determine whether rockfish could consistently be captured in estuarine and open coast environments, to determine the best capture methods, and to determine the best capture sites. The study sites ranged from Coos Bay to Tillamook Bay and included four primary sites (Yaquina Bay estuary, Salmon River estuary, Boiler Bay and Seal Rock), as well as, seven secondary sites. Sampling took place from late May until late August. Capture methods included 10'- 50' seine nets, fish traps, dip nets, cast nets and snorkel/small nets. Forty-eight species and 15,729 fish were collected including 1,148 black rockfish, 21 copper rockfish, 4 blue rockfish and 6 unidentified rockfish. Black rockfish were caught in Yaquina Bay and on the open coast.

In 2001, we will expand the project to sample several estuaries in a 4-month period.

Contact John Johnson for more information at (541) 867-4741, ext 237.

11. Cooperative Research:

We provided catch, effort, catch-at-age and other data as need to support the stock assessments.

12. CORE Studies:

The Cooperative Reef Ecosystem (CORE) study continued work on subtidal rocky bottom habitats off the Oregon coast. ODFW biologists completed two tasks during 2000. The first task, was examination of nearshore rockfish use of small isolated rocky reef habitat patches. The research questions included:

-What are the patterns of nearshore rockfish use of small disjunct rocky habitat patches?

-What is the lower size limit of isolated rocky habitat patches utilized by nearshore rockfish?

The purpose of the survey was to determine if small habitat patch areas are important enough to include in future nearshore reef fish abundance estimation studies. The study approach was to survey and characterize rocky reef patches using sidescan sonar and survey fish using ROV video strip transects. The study found nearshore rockfish and other groundfish species to be abundant on very small habitat patches (<5 m across) and provided data on the patterns of use by species. The second task was completion of a high-resolution multibeam bathymetry survey of Bandon Reef. Results of hook and line sampling completed by another Marine Resources Program project were overlain on the bathymetry data to examine the relationship between catch and reef physical structure. Staff also continued their on-going project of kelp canopy biomass surveys at Orford, Blanco, Redfish Rocks, Humbug and Rogue Reefs by taking kelp bed aerial photos and measuring plant weights. However, the data were not worked up due to a shortage of staff resources. The kelp data analysis should be completed in 2001. The results of the 2000 work are summarized in Fox, et al. (2000). The report can be downloaded from www.hmsc.orst.edu/odfw/habitat.

For information contact Dave Fox at (541) 867-0300 ext. 228 or dave.fox@hmsc.orst.edu.

GIS Description

The Marine Resources Program GIS was summarized in the 1997 TSC report. Additions to the GIS in 2000 are listed below.

For information contact Dave Fox at (541) 867-0300 ext. 228 or dave.fox@hmsc.orst.edu.

Base Maps

No additions for 2000.

Baseline Data

1) Side scan sonar map of a 32 km² area off Cape Perpetua, Oregon.

No additions for 2000.

No additions for 2000.

13. Pelagic Species:

Refer to section on Pacific sardine

Contact Jean McCrae for more information (541) 867-4741

14. Developmental Fisheries Project:

The Developmental Fisheries Program was created to allow for controlled development of new fisheries. Each year, the Developmental Fisheries Board recommends to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission a list of food fish species that are considered to be developmental and a harvest program which includes a limited entry system. The Developmental Fishery Board is made up of members from a broad range of fishing interests (harvesters, processors, and state agencies).

In 2000, a total of 120 permits were issued for all species, and 42 permits were for finfish species. The main finfish of interest was sardines, which had all 15 permits issued. Other species for which we issued permits were hagfish (7), swordfish (15), blue shark (4), and anchovy/herring (1).

The majority of the landings of developmental species was as by-catch in other established fisheries. However, landings of Pacific sardines greatly increased in 2000. Eighteen vessels landed over 21 million pounds (9,524 mt); the highest landings since 1941. Market samples were collected and we conducted a seasonal worker to conduct ride-along trips to observe by-catch. Observed by-catch consisted of sharks, Pacific whiting, Pacific herring, flatfish, and some salmon. Observed salon averaged 2.1 per trip, with 76% being release alive. Logs (accounting for 91% of the landings) show 75% of the harvest was taken off Oregon and 25% off southern Washington. Incidental landings of mackerel accounted for 0.2-0.3% of the catch.

Market samples were collected for length, weight, maturity and age data. The average length and weight for all samples was 209 mm (standard length) and 153.4 gm. Size of sardines showed a decrease over the sample period. The samples taken during the first part of the season had the highest percent of less mature fish (condition 1). Age structures were sent to California Department of Fish and Game to be analyzed and showed mostly 2-4 year old fish.

Contact Jean McCrae for more information (541) 867-4741.

15. Cooperative Ageing Unit:

Twelve months of in-kind supervision and "lead worker" oversight were provided for the Cooperative Ageing Project (CAP). The Ageing Unit production aged darkblotched rockfish, shortspine thornyhead, sablefish, Dover sole, and black rockfish for stock assessment purposes, and finished up production work on bank rockfish and Pacific ocean perch. This work resulted in 23,152 specimens aged for the year.

A fourth age reader was hired full-time in 2000, however, another resigned. The resigned age reader is being brought back under a noe-year contract in March 2001, and a sixth age reader is to be hired in the summer of 2001.

Contact Bob Mikus for more information on ageing (541) 867-4741, ext 247.

16. Logbooks:

A new voluntary Open Access Hook & Line Logbook was printed and distribution started in March 2000.

Status of Oregon logbooks is as follows:

C. BY SPECIES

1. Pacific cod: no work was conducted on Pacific cod. Few fish were found in the trawl landings. Total Oregon Pacific cod landings were down 71% in 2000 at about 24,164 pounds (11 mt) compared to about 82,995 pounds (38 mt) in 1999.

2. Shelf rockfish

a. Black rockfish

1) Coastwide sampling continues on recreational catches of black rockfish. Black rockfish are the most frequently caught fish in the ocean boat recreational fishery. Port samplers take market samples from commercial landings. Sampling includes biological sampling for age, length, sex and maturity. Age determination is done by ODFW.

2) Total commercial Oregon landings were 239,852 pounds (about 109 mt) which was down from the 1999 landings of 281,146 pounds (about 128 mt). This is about a 15% decrease from 1998.

Contact Don Bodenmiller for more information (541) 867-4741.

b. Widow rockfish - coastwide sampling continues for age, length and sex. Age determination is done by NMFS, Tiburon. Oregon landings in 1999 were 6,004,282 pounds (2,724 mt) which is down from the 6,640,382 pounds (3,012 mt) in 1999. This is about a 9.6% decrease from 1999.

c. Canary rockfish - coastwide sampling continues for age, length and sex. Age determination is done by ODFW. Oregon landings in 2000 were 71,346 pounds (32 mt) which was about a 92% decrease from the 933,653 pounds (424 mt) in 1999.

d. Yellowtail rockfish - coastwide sampling continues for age, length and sex. We also continued sampling yellowtail rockfish landed by shrimp trawlers. Age determination is done by WDFW. Oregon landings in 2000 were about 4,427,720 pounds (2,008 mt) which was a 25% increase from the 3,547,421 pounds (1,609 mt) from 1999.

3. Slope rockfish

Most sampling is limited to species composition sampling. Length frequency samples were taken on selected species. In 2000, we began taking age structures on darkblotched rockfish. In 2001, we will take age structures on both darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean perch.

4. Thornyheads

Sampling included sampling for species composition, length frequency, age and sex. Oregon landings of longspine thornyhead increased slightly to 1,685,484 (765 mt) in 2000, which was about a 3% increase from 1999. Oregon landings of shortspine thornyhead were 628,308 pounds (285 mt) in 2000, which was about an 11% decrease from 1999.

5. Sablefish

a. Routine age samples were obtained on sablefish. Otoliths were sent to the NMFS / ODFW Cooperative Ageing Project in Newport, Oregon for age determination. Oregon landings were 6,256,290 pounds (2,838 mt) in 2000, which was done 5% from the 1999.

b. Sablefish Fixed Gear Project:

One research project was completed in 2000. In cooperation with Craig Rose of NMFS, we placed underwater camera equipment on baited sablefish pots to study basic behavior upon approach and entry to the pots. Our observations used visible and infrared light. The footage suggests that visible light may deter sablefish from approaching the pots, while infrared does not. Sablefish were seen to both enter and exit the pots. The swimming behavior of sablefish in this environment was slow and involved oscillation from side to side that appeared to be olfactory search behavior.

Contact Bob Hannah for additional information (541) 867-4741.

6. Flatfish

a. Age sampling continued and ages were determined on Dover sole.

Contact Bob Mikus for additional information on aging (541) 867-4741.

Most Oregon flatfish landings were down or somewhat similar in 2000 compared to 1999. Dover sole were 10,393,272 pounds (4,714 mt) up 4% from 9,950,464 pounds (4,514 mt) in 1999. Landings of English sole were 542,991 pounds (246 mt) down 29% from were 768,843 pounds (349 mt) in 1999. Landings of petrale sole were 1,896,175 pounds (860 mt), up 28% from 1,486,914 pounds (674 mt) in 1999. Landings of arrowtooth flounder were down by 49% at 2,580,307 pounds (1,170 mt) compared to 5,021,558 pounds (2,278 mt) in 1999. Pacific sanddab landings were down 47% at 321,829 pounds (146 mt) compared to 602,442 pounds (273mt) in 1999.

b. Pacific halibut

1) Weekly harvest of both the recreational and commercial troll fisheries was monitored for quota tracking purposes. The majority of recreational caught fish continue to be landed into Newport and Garibaldi. In 2000, the directed recreational fishery was open 6 days, which was drastically down from a decade age when it was open year round. As the number of annual open days decrease, safety concerns increase. In 2000 as in recent years, the recreational and commercial fisheries received equal allocations.

1. Oregon commercial fishers landed 330,045 pounds (150 mt) down 6% from 350,389 pounds (159 mt) in 1999.

3) Public meeting were held to discuss 2000 recreational fishery structuring and proposed changes to the 2001 catch sharing plan for Oregon recreational fisheries.

Contact Don Bodenmiller for more information (541) 867-4741

7. Pacific whiting

In 2000, ODFW continued to coordinate a cooperative observation program to monitor bycatch and collect biological samples of unsorted Pacific whiting landings made at shoreside processors. Cooperators are the fishing industry, ODFW, CDFG, WDFW, PSMFC, NMFS, and PFMC.

Oregon landings and observations were made at Newport, Astoria and Charleston. Landings and observations were also made at Ilwaco and Westport, WA through WDFW and at Crescent City and Eureka, CA through CDFG. Overall, 23% of whiting landings were observed over the course of the season. Sampling and observations were conducted from April through the season end in mid-September. Two Washington, three California and seven Oregon processors, and thirty-five vessels participated in the program. Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) were issued by NMFS through CDFG and ODFW to participating vessels to permit the landing of unsorted whiting; participating vessels with EFPs were exempted from prohibitions on landing prohibited species (Pacific halibut and salmon) and groundfish trip limit overages. Prohibited species and the monitory value of trip limit overages were turned over to the state of landing.

Approximately 85,400mt of Pacific whiting were landed at shoreside processors, compared to approximately 83,400 mt in 1999. Oregon processors received approximately 80% of total landings, Washington processors received approximately 14%, and the balance was landed in California. The overall salmon bycatch rate was 0.039 salmon per mt whiting; this is higher than in 1999 (0.014 salmon/mt), and closer to the 0.032 salmon/mt whiting in 1995. An increase in salmon returns and abundance appears to have contributed to the increased salmon bycatch rate in the 2000 season. A total of 3,345 salmon (3,321 Chinook, 23 coho, and 1 chum salmon) were taken as bycatch in this fishery and turned over to state agencies in 2000 - this compares to 1,712 Chinook in 1999 and 1,713Chinook salmon in 1998. In Oregon, all salmon in acceptable condition are turned over to hunger relief agencies. Other species with notable bycatch volumes are yellowtail rockfish (190 mt), widow rockfish (76 mt) and mackerel (chub and jack mackerel combined – 264 mt). Bycatch rates for mackerel were much lower relative to 1997 through 1999. Bycatch of yellowtail and widow rockfish were very low compared to 1997 through 1999 levels.

For more information contact Lara Hutton (541) 867-4741 (reports regarding 1997-2000 whiting is available at the ODFW MRP web site: www.hmsc.orst.edu/odfw/)

We provided catch, effort, catch-at-age and other data as need to support the Pacific whiting stock assessments.

For more information contact Mark Saelens (541) 867-4741

8. Dogfish

No work was conducted on dogfish. Landings decreased to 88,621 pounds (40 mt), down 55% from 195,932 pounds (89 mt) in 1999.

9. Lingcod

a. Age samples were collected and sent to NMFS, Tiburon for age determination. Oregon landings were 141,189 pounds (64 mt) which is down 63% from 1999 landings of 381,485 pounds (173 mt).

b. ODFW continued collecting age samples from the recreational fishery in 2000. Also new for 2000 was a reduction in the recreational bag from 2 to 1 lingcod with a 24-inch minimum length and a 34-inch maximum length restriction.

c. Discard Mortality of Lingcod in the Bottom Trawl Fishery.

In an effort to estimate mortality rates for lingcod discarded in the bottom trawl fishery, we conducted two experiments in collaboration with NMFS, AFSC. Lingcod (51-66 cm) were captured with bottom trawls of various tow durations, held in laboratory tanks for 3 weeks, and then evaluated for physical condition. In a separate experiment, the amount of time lingcod remain on deck during sorting was evaluated. Lingcod from a single tow remained on deck for various time periods up to 1 hour prior to being placed in holding tanks and monitored for 3 weeks as above. Tow duration had no effect on survival. Fifty- percent mortality occurred after approximately 30 minutes on deck and within 4-dys of post-capture. Mortality events continued sporadically for up to 30 days. We hope to evaluate volume in future experiments.

10. Other

a. Surfperch

Extensive biological sampling continued along the southern Oregon coast. Special emphasis was again on redtail surfperch. Volunteers have helped tag surfperch and collect carcasses for sampling. Samples were collected from 1,917 redtail, 71 striped, 72 pile, 62 walleye, 200 white, 8 silver, and 12 calico surfperch. There were 2,185 surfperch including 1,882 redtail surfperch tagged in 2000, and a total of 9,219 surfperch have been tagged to date. In 2000, tagging effort was concentrated along the coast to the south of Coos Bay. We also continued to tag in the Coos Bay estuary during the months of March and April. Age determination was done by ODFW at the Charleston lab.

Processors reported receiving 2,052 pounds of surfperch in 2000, which is an increase from 727 pounds in 1999. Interest continues for the commercial harvests of surfperch, especially in Oregon's south coast area. In 2000, commercial harvest of surfperch was prohibited in the months of August and September. This new regulation was established to protect redtail surfperch during the months that they spawn off Oregon.

For more information contact Don Bodenmiller (541) 867-4741.

b. Pacific herring

In 2000, commercial fishers decided not to fish Yaquina Bay for roe herring due to the projected poor run

Contact John Johnson for more information (541) 867-4741.

c. Hagfish

Landings of Pacific hagfish were down 52% in 2000 at 318,627 pounds (145 mt) compared to 667,550 pounds (303 mt) in 1999.

d. Skates

Landings of skates in 2000 were 1,772,262 pounds (804 mt) which was up 36% from 1,300,928 pounds (590 mt) in 1999. Species composition and length frequency samples were taken.

e. Mackerel

Landings of Pacific mackerel and jack mackerel combined were 617,167 pounds (280 mt), down 63% from 1,664,906 pounds (755 mt), in 1999. Almost all Oregon mackerel landings are landed as bycatch from the Pacific whiting fishery.

f. Pacific Sardine

Landings for sardine continue to increase. Eighteen vessels landed 21 million pounds (9,524 mt) compared to 775.7 mt in 1999; the highest landings since 1941. Most of the sardine catch was by seine gear (99%), and fish were landed into Astoria and processed as bait for a Japanese longline fishery. Incidental landings of mackerel accounted for 0.2-0.3% of the catch.

We conducted 22 ride-along trips to observe by-catch. Observed by-catch consisted of sharks, hake, herring, flatfish, and some salmon. Observed salmon averaged 2.1 per trip, with 76% being released alive. Market samples of Pacific sardine were collected for length, weight, maturity, and age. The average length and weight for all samples 209 mm (standard length) and 153.4 gm. Age structures analyzed by California Department of Fish and Game showed mostly 2-4 year old fish.

For more information contact Jean McCrae at (541) 867-4741.

Publications:

Appy, M. and P.J. Collson. 2001. Oregon Coastal Juvenile Rockfish Study. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 34pp.

Fox, D., M. Amend, A. Merems, and M. Appy. 2000. Coastal Zone Management Section 309 grant 2000 nearshore rocky reef assessment. Newport, OR; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 32pp.

Hannah, R. W. and S.A. Jones. 2001. Bycatch Reduction In An Ocean Shrimp (Pandalus jordani) Trawl From a Simple Modification to the Trawl Footrope. J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci. 27:1-7.

Hutton L. and S.J. Parker. 1999. Bycatch in the Pacific whiting fishery observation program: 2000. 19 pp. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Research Project, 2000. Annual Progress Report, Portland, OR.

Hutton L. and S.J. Parker. 2000. Shoreside whiting observation program: 2000. Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife. 19pp.

McCrae, J. 2001. 2001. Oregon's sardine fishery, 2000. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Newport, OR. 10pp.

Matteson, K. M., R. W. Hannah, J. T. Golden. and P. Crone. 2001. Evaluation of Pot and Longline Gear as Survey Tools for Sablefish. Oregon Dept. Fish Wildl. Information Rept.Ser., Fish. No. 01-03. 63p.

Musick, J.A., M.M. Harbin, S.A. Berkeley, G.H. Burgess, A.M. Eklund, L. Findley, R.G. Gilmore, J.T. Golden, D.S. Ha, G.R. Huntsman, J.C. McGovern, S.J. Parker, S.G. Poss, E. Sala, T.W. Schmidt, G.R. Sedberry, J.J. Weeks, and S.G. Wright. 2000 Marine, estuarine, and diadromous fish stocks at risk of extension in North America (Exclusive of Pacific salmonids). Fisheries 25(11): 6-30.

Marine Finfish Program Staff

Projects planned for year 2001:

1. Discard mortality of lingcod in bottom trawls:

We will repeat the time-on-deck component of the 2000 discard experiments to increase the sample size and target fish in the 51-66 cm range. Fish will again be transported to shorebased tanks for 3 weeks and monitored for survival and stress indicators.

2. Development and Testing of a Fatfish Selective Bottom Trawl.

We will adapt a flatfish-selective trawl from the Faroe Islands to fish with West Coast bottom trawlers with the assistance of NMFS gear specialists. The trawl will be tested in the Dover sole fishery to attempt to selectively capture Dover sole while avoiding weaker stocks, such as sablefish and thornyheads. If successful, this trawl design may allow more harvest on productive flatfish stocks. Harvest is currently limited to protect less productive species in the slope community.

Contact Steve Parker for additional information (541) 867-4741.

3. Juvenile Rockfish Recruitment Index Study:

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Program will conduct the second year of a study to attempt to develop a juvenile rockfish recruitment index for selected nearshore species. In 2001, field studies are planned for 4-month sampling season. The project is based on sampling estuaries and adjacent nearshore rocky intertidal areas using beach seines, fish traps, dip nets, cast nets and snorkel/small nets. The hope is that juvenile rockfish numbers using the nearshore and estuaries will reflect the relative abundance of adults in the open ocean. Several seasons will be required to show a correlation. The hope is that estuary seining will provide an easy and reliable method of determining general population trends for nearshore adult rockfish.

Contact Bob Hannah for additional information (541) 867-4741.

4. We are hoping to complete analysis of maturity data for yellowtail and black rockfish and Pacific ocean perch. We will also be collecting maturity data for yelloweye, quillback and vermillion rockfish.

Contact Bob Hannah for additional information (541) 867-4741.

5. We hope to test two new fish excluder designs in the shrimp fishery, and also a device for in situ measurement of shrimp trawl footrope height above bottom. Later in 2000 we may start some tag retention and tagging mortality studies on black rockfish.

Contact Bob Hannah for additional information (541) 867-4741.