An Introduction: California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group Presentation by Working Group Admin & Participants MMC | May 31, 2018 | Seattle, WA Working Group established in Sept 2015 in response to increases in CA entanglements Convened by state and federal agencies WORKING Unique coalition of diverse stakeholders GROUP: New approach to addressing whale BACKGROUND entanglements Shared goal, thriving whale populations and a thriving Dungeness crab fishery
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Working Group funded a project led by Jarrod Santora, UC Santa Cruz Synthesis of 2013-2016 forage data Focus on humpbacks (krill/anchovies) FORAGE & Distribution of humpbacks determined by OCEAN available food Low krill abundance and high nearshore CONDITIONS anchovy abundance Low concentration and patchiness of krill/anchovy High diversity of spp
6 Identify circumstances that elevate risk and RISK develop pathways to address ASSESSMENT Risk assessment factors: forage/ocean, whale & MITIGATION concentrations, fishing dynamics, entanglements PROGRAM Fishermen, agencies, ENGOs, researchers (RAMP) working together to monitor, research, and develop recommendations
7 Core Team & Agencies Review Factors If “yes” to any one That May Elevate Risk (e.g., pre-season) question, ET is convened Agencies seek/provide additional information
Identify/request additional DELAY: Is there indications that the Request information to representation as needed verify/clarify situation season will be delayed beyond 2/1? Evaluate available data
FORAGE: Are there indications of Discuss management options anomalous ocean/forage conditions to address risk during the upcoming season? Management Measures WHALES: Are humpback whale Toolbox (MMT) Evaluation Team Determine if management concentrations moderate to high Low Risk when the CA Dungeness crab fishery action is warranted opens? Relay recommendation(s) to Director Moderate Risk ENTANGLEMENTS: Are humpback whale entanglements at elevated Agencies/Director levels this past year/spring? Implement ET fishery High Risk management recs If “no” to all questions, ET is NOT Notify the fleet convened and “green” measures resume 8 How it works Horizon
Angle of observation
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Perpendicular trap distance from aircraft
9 ← Fiomarine 4 successful deployments and retrievals (60-240 ft)
→ Desert Star 1 successful deployment; did not pop up on 2nd attempt
Fiomarine Fiobuoy AC100 Desert Star ARC-1XD Designed in Australia Designed in California 10 Coordination and communications to date On-the-water updates RAMP Preseason and midseason risk assessments 2017-18 Regular updates to fishing and whale leadership PILOT: Continuing to fine-tune risk factors Need to make clearer connections between LEARNING evaluating risks and identifying possible TO DATE management measures Commitment to working with the fleet, researchers and others to support data collection efforts
11 2017-18 RAMP Pilot evaluation LOOKING Postseason risk assessment, July 2018 AHEAD: Additional Aerial Surveys WORKING Development of a complete RAMP GROUP Meetings in August and September 2018 Additional research Whale/forage models
12 Fishermen-led gear recovery programs
LOOKING AHEAD: PARTNER Smart buoy prototypes INITIATIVES Blue Ocean Gear
13 Ongoing collaboration opportunities West Coast coordination (OR, WA) LOOKING Whale community AHEAD: NOAA trainings, first responders PARTNER Other CA fisheries INITIATIVES Advancing 2017-18 Working Group recommendations Current legislation
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Working Group Website http://www.opc.ca.gov/whale- MORE entanglement-working-group INFO & THANK YOU! Working Group Email [email protected]
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