sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alaska plaice, Arrowtooth flounder, Flathead sole, Kamchatka flounder, Northern rock sole, Pacific halibut

Wild ( and ), living in the clear remote waters of Alaska, are managed to provide a sustainable food source while protecting against habitat damage. Flatfish fishermen are dedicated to responsible management, and have been at the forefront of efforts to proactively develop management measures that accomplish these sustainability goals. The Alaska flatfish is the largest in the world, and a model for best practices fisheries management. ALASKA FLATFISH A MULTI- FISHERY

T he flatfish fishery is currently conducted in two separate management areas: BERING SE A/ ALEUTIAN ISLANDS GULF OF ALASKA the Bering Se a/ Aleutians Islands (BSAI) and (BSAI) (GOA) Gulf of Alaska (GOA). These prefer the sandy, flat bottoms of the shelf and VESSELS Catcher Vessels & Catcher Vessels & similar areas of the Gulf of Alaska. The BSAI Catcher Processors Catcher Processors flatfish fishery, which accounts for most of the catch, is almost entirely conducted by catcher PROCESSING At-Sea At-Sea and on shore at Kodiak, processors. Catcher processors utilize onboard King Cove, and Sandpoint equipment to process and freeze catch within SPECIES , northern , , northern several hours of harvest, providing a fresh, arrowtooth flounder, , and southern rock sole, flathead frozen-at-sea product. These vessels range in Alaska , Greenland sole, rex sole size from 110 to 300 feet, and carry crews of up to 50. VOLUME 250,000 mt 40,000 mt The GOA fishery is a combination of catcher vessels and catcher processors. Catcher vessels are generally smaller than their catcher processor cousins and carry 4 or 5 crew members. ALASKA FLATFISH SPECIES

YELLOWFIN SOLE In 2010, 95% of the total Alaska flatfish • Arrowtooth Flounder ( stomias) / (Atheresthes evermanni) catch was comprised of the following five Until recently, harvest of arrowtooth flounder species: yellowfin sole, , mainly occurred as in other higher valued fisheries. However, with the advent of technologie s arrowtooth flounder, flathead sole, and to improve meat quality and additional markets . Other commercially available for arrowtooth flounder, a directed fishery NORTHERN ROCK SOLE has evolved. Arrowtooth flounder is currently the flatfish are Greenland turbot, rex sole, butter most abundant groundfish species in the GOA, sole, Dover sole and starry flounder . and most of the world’s arrowtooth flounder comes from Alaska fisheries. Arrowtooth/Kam - chatka is mainly harvested May-August. • Yellowfin Sole ( aspera) is th e largest flatfish fishery in the United States. The • Flathead Sole ( elassodon) ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER waters off Alaska produce the majority of the Alaska is responsible for the majority of U.S. worldwide yellowfin sole catch. It is harvested in flathead sole catch. Flathead sole is harvested the Bering Sea throughout the calendar year, with throughout the calendar year by catcher processors most taken March-May and August-October. in the BSAI and by a combination of catcher processors and catcher vessels in the GOA. • Northern Rock Sole ( polyxystra) Alaska accounts for the majority of the worldwide • Alaska Plaice ( quadrituberculatus) harvest of northern rock sole. Rock sole is mainly has generally been lightly harvested throughout harvested from January-April when the fish are the year, and is retained in other higher FLATHEAD SOLE found in schools. Most of the northern rock sole valued fisheries. However, since BSAI flatfish is harvested by catcher processors in the BSAI. species management changed in 2008, Alaska It is also caught occasionally by catcher vessels plaice retention has increased, and markets have and catcher processors in the GOA. been developed.

ALASKA PLAICE 2008-2010 2008-2010 SPECIES AVERAGE AVERAGE PRODUCTS SIZE CATCH QUOTA

YELLOWFIN 125,021 mt 218,000 mt H&G (headed and General H&G size SOLE gutted), whole 130-450 grams, round, and kirimi whole round (fish slices) 200-700 grams

NORTHERN 51,048 mt 85,000 mt H&G, H&G with General H&G size ROCK SOLE roe in, and 150-500 grams, whole round whole round 230-800 grams

ARROWTOOT H/ BSAI: BSAI: H&G and H&G General H&G/T size KAMCHATKA 30,548 mt 75,000 mt withou t tail 500-2500 grams, FLOUNDER GOA: GOA: (H&G/T) whole round 26,188 mt 43,000 mt 750-3500 grams

FLATHEAD 32,296 mt 60,307 mt H&G and H&G General H&G size SOLE with roe in 180-750 grams

ALASKA 15,829 mt 50,000 mt H&G and whole General H&G size PLAICE round 350-1000 grams, whole round 500-1500 grams RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE

ALASKA FLATFISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT

Many of the challenges faced by flatfish harvesters in other parts of the world have been addressed in Alaska by the robust management system.

Alaska flatfish fishermen are dedicated to State of Alaska, other government agencies, responsible catch methods, and have partici - the International Pacific Commission, pated in scientific studies to avoid or reduce the fishing industry, environmental interests, and unwanted bycatch. Fishermen have cooperated the general public to develop and implement with researchers to develop modified trawl gear sustainable harvest strategies. The Council that has less impact on the bottom. Their goal is process is transparent, and provides ample a sustainable fishery that can provide a source opportunity for input from all stakeholders and of healthy protein for future generations. interested parties.

• Collaboration and Transparency. The North • Precautionary Science. Alaska has pioneered Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC or a science-based precautionary approach to Council) has management authority for all non- fisheries management. Scientists provide the halibut flatfish resources off Alaska. The Council Council with Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) is bound by law under the Magnuson-Stevens limits that ensure robust and sustainable Act to ensure sustainable flatfish stocks through levels into the future. The Council then a conservative approach to fisheries manage - sets annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels, ment. The Council works collaboratively with the which never exceed the ABC amounts, and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the ensures a conservative harvest level. BS AI Flatfish Catch vs Quota 2010

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

METRIC TONS r t le le e le ce o sh o o d o ai rb fi CATCH S S n S l u at in ck ou d P T l f o l ea a d F QUOTA w R F h sk n er llo n th t a la h e r o la Al n t Y he to F ee O rt w r o ro G N Ar

• Bycatch Reduction. , , Tanner measures to reduce fishing effects. Better under - , king crab, and halibut are identified as fully standing ecosystem components and maintaining utilized by other non-flatfish fleets. To create the viability of these components are steps towards incentives to avoid catching these species, the the goal of ecosystem-based management. Council has designated them as “prohibited” and The Council has a long track record of identifying required that they be returned to the sea. In the habitats necessary for sustainable propagation of flatfish fishery, there are established prohibited all forms of marine life, and protecting those areas species caps (PSC). NMFS managers close through establishment of Marine Protected Areas fisheries when these PSC limits are reached. (MPAs). Alaska’s MPAs are some of the most Because halibut must be returned to the sea extensive in the world. For more on MPAs, go to and catching halibut in trawl nets limits opportunities http://sustainability .alaskaseafood .org/resources- for other flatfish target fisheries, fishermen look for and-tools. opportunities to reduce halibut bycatch. Fishermen The Council also established the Northern work collaboratively on the fishing grounds to Bering Sea Research Area (NBSRA), closing that identify, and communicate areas of high halibut area to all non-pelagic trawls. The NBSRA is a abundance so that the fleet can avoid these areas. pristine area of the arctic that has seen relatively Where halibut cannot be avoided, industry has little fishing. As ocean temperatures warm, fish developed “excluders” consisting of a flap, grid, stocks are showing evidence of a northward or other device built into the net. Excluders take migration. The NBSRA represents a unique oppor - advantage of natural halibut behavior to allow tunity to understand fishing effects. NMFS, the halibut to avoid capture in the net. Council, western Alaska community representatives, • Ecosystem Considerations. Each year, scientists and the fishing industry are collaborating in an make progress on understanding the ecosystem. unprecedented effort to develop a research plan to NMFS scientists annually report on these findings so understand this unique area. Only after conducting that the Council may take appropriate management this research would the Council allow fishing. • Allocation as a Conservation Tool. Prior to • Monitoring. To ensure accurate catch accounting, 2008, the BSAI trawl flatfish fleet was engaged the Council, NMFS, and industry collaborated on in a “race for fish ,” competing against each other development of one of the most robust fishery for larger portions of quota limits. The race for monitoring programs in the world. fish resulted in inefficient fishing practices and – Two federally certified observers per vessel, in prematurely reaching PSC limits, in many ensuring that nearly all cases prior to reaching flatfish TACs. hauls are sampled. In 2008, the Council ended the race for fish – Motion-compensated in the BSAI by providing for annual allocations of scales to ensure accu - several species, and the formation of harvesting rate observer sample cooperatives. Allocated species include yellowfin weights despite the sole, flathead sole, northern rock sole, Pacific , vessel’s motion at sea. , and , as well – Flow scale for weighing as PSC limits for king crab, Tanner and snow crab, the entire catch. These and halibut. have been reduced sub - devices are placed stantially due to retention requirements and the under a conveyor for new co-op management system. Over 90 percent moving catch from one of all groundfish caught in this multi-species area to another, and fishery are retained. give accurate weights of total catch. Allocating quota to cooperatives allows – Designated observer sampling station, elec - them to internally distribute quota limits based tronic or visual options for monitoring the on what makes sense for the cooperative. Member flow of catch through the vessel, and other vessels can slow operations, focus on product catch monitoring tools. quality, avoid high bycatch areas, and focus on – Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). VMS allows changes to gear that improve efficiencies and NMFS enforcement officers to ensure vessels reduce environmental effects. only fish in open areas. ALASKA INDUSTRY TRAWL GEAR INNOVATION

Flatfish trawl gear has evolved significantly portion of the Bering Sea Flatfish Trawl Gear in the last 20 years, and is no longer the large represents 90 percent of the area fished. Because heavy gear formerly used by the foreign fleets, trawl sweeps are elevated and prevented from and currently used in other parts of the world. contacting the seafloor, their impact is reduced Today’s gear is lighter, leaves less of an environ - by 90 percent. Research conducted by NMFS mental imprint, and incorporates innovations to scientists indicate that effects to sea stars, sea target marketable species while also reducing whips, and other seafloor dwelling unwanted bycatch such as halibut and crab. has been reduced, and effects to Tanner and Fishing industry representatives and NMFS king has been reduced to nearly zero. scientists collaboratively developed Bering Sea Some vessels are also using “flying” pelagic Flatfish Trawl Gear. doors which are not in regular contact with the Beginning in 2011, all Bering Sea flatfish sea floor. vessels were required to utilize Bering Sea The GOA fleet is currently working with Flatfish Trawl Gear. This gear uses devices that NMFS scientists to understand the feasibility of raise the trawl sweeps off the bottom, nearly using this modified trawl gear in the deeper, eliminating impacts to the seafloor. The sweep harder bottom areas typical of the GOA.

Bering Sea Flatfish Trawl Gear

Floating cod end

Midwater doors Bobbins to keep sweeps off the sea floor Bobbins to elevate the webbing off the sea floor Alaska flatfish are a high-quality sustainable seafood resource. The excellent flavor and texture of these whitefish are appreciated around the world. For more on flatfish fishery management visit the Council website at www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc /

More information on Alask a’s sustainable fishery management, flatfish identification and whitefish buyers guidance is available from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. Please contact us at 800-806-249 7. Or visit www.alaskaseafood.org

ALASKA SEAFOOD MARKETING INSTITUTE • www.alask aseafood.org

U.S. Marketing Office: 150 Nickerson Street, Suite 310, Seattle, WA 98109 • 800-806-2497 International Marketing Office & Administrative: 311 N. Franklin St., Suite 200,

Juneau, AK 99801 • 800-478-2903

Thank you to Terry Lane for many of the photographs in this brochure. ©2011 ASMI 23 - 027