Interstate Fisheries Management Program Implementation for North Carolina

INTERSTATE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION FOR NORTH CAROLINA

Kevin Brown and Blake Price

Completion Report for NOAA Award No. NA16FG1220 Segment 3

Study II

DOCUMENTATION AND REDUCTION OF BYCATCH IN NORTH CAROLINA FISHERIES

JOB 3: Commercial Gillnet Observations in the Large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and Small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout the Albemarle Sound, Pamlico/Pungo Rivers, and the Neuse River, North Carolina

September 2004

Abstract

Observations were made of commercial gillnet fisheries throughout the Albemarle Sound Management Area, the Neuse River, and the Pamlico/Pungo River from January through June 2004. These observations were used to characterize the fishery and determine relative effort and discards of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and other federally managed species of finfish. Observations were made on 101 trips, consisting of 985 nets with a total length of 125,042 yards. Three different gear types were observed: anchored sink gillnets, anchored floating gillnets, and runaround gillnets. There were 423 striped bass observed in this study, with 92% of these caught in the winter. The Albemarle Sound was the most productive area for striped bass. The at-net mortality of striped bass in the winter was low (7% in the large mesh fishery and 2% in the small mesh fishery, respectively). The at-net mortality of striped bass in the large mesh spring fishery was 53%. No striped bass were observed in the spring small mesh fishery. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) were only observed in the large mesh spring fishery and all were released alive. The results of this study offer insights for fishery managers developing Fishery Management Plans and may assist in bycatch mortality estimates. Recommendations include expansion of the observer coverage in commercial gillnet fisheries to encompass all seasons, establishing a long-term observer program throughout North Carolina commercial fisheries and requiring mandatory observer coverage in North Carolina commercial fisheries.

Table of Contents

Abstract ...... ii Table of Contents ...... iii List of Figures ...... iv List of Tables ...... v Introduction ...... 1 Methods ...... 2 Results ...... 2 Coverage ...... 4 Gear Parameters ...... 7 Species Composition ...... 8 Effort ...... 10 Key Species Catches ...... 12 Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) – Key Species ...... 16 Finfish Bycatch ...... 18 At Net Discard Mortality ...... 21 Runaround Gillnet Fishery ...... 21 Striped Bass ...... 22 Red Drum ...... 23 Sea Bird and Protected Species Bycatch ...... 24 Project Limitations ...... 24 Discussion...... 24 Conclusion ...... 26 Recommendations ...... 26 Literature Cited ...... 27

iii

List of Figures

Figure 1. Study areas for commercial gillnet observations made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004...... 3 Figure 2. Large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) commercial gillnet set samples made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004...... 5 Figure 3. Small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) commercial gillnet set samples made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004...... 6 Figure 4. Total effort (yards*soakdays) per 100 yards observed in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink and floating large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout the Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and the Pamlico River (PR), 2004...... 11 Figure 5. Total effort (yards*soakdays) per 100 yards observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink and floating small mesh (<5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries of Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004...... 12 Figure 6. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink large mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004...... 13 Figure 7. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored floating large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries in Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico/Pungo River (PR), 2004...... 14 Figure 8. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries in Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004...... 15 Figure 9. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March) commercial anchored floating small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004...... 16

iv List of Tables

Table 1. Total reported trips, total trips observed and percent coverage by month and area for commercial gillnet observations made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004. AS = Albemarle Sound, NR = Neuse River, and PR = Pamlico/Pungo River...... 4 Table 2. Summary statistics for the large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet gear parameters from observations made in North Carolina, 1 January through 30 June 2004...... 7 Table 3. Summary statistics for small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet gear parameters from observations made in North Carolina, January through June 2004...... 8 Table 4. Relative biomass (kg) and number of individuals observed in the winter commercial gillnet fisheries in North Carolina, January through March 2004...... 9 Table 5. Relative biomass (kg) and number of individuals observed in the spring commercial gillnet fisheries in North Carolina, April through June 2004...... 10 Table 6. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) defined as: total weight (kg) / (total yards * soaktime) per 100 yards for all combined large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet sets in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, NC, 2004...... 17 Table 7. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) defined as: total weight (kg) / (total yards * soaktime) per 100 yards for all combined small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet sets in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, NC, 2004...... 17 Table 8. Tabulation of total catch and discards by number and species status (kept, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the winter (January – March) large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries from scientific observations obtained throughout the Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River in 2004...... 19 Table 9. Tabulation of total catch and discards by number and species status (kept, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the spring (April - June) large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries from scientific observations obtained throughout the Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River in 2004...... 20 Table 10. Tabulation of total discards and percentage at net mortality by season and mesh size in the winter (January – March) and spring (April - June) large (> 5 in stretch mesh) and small (< 5 in stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries from observations obtained throughout the Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, 2004...... 21 Table 11. Total catch and discards of striped bass by number and species status (kept, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the winter (January – March) large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries and the spring (April – June) large mesh gillnet fisheries of Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, 2004...... 22

v Table 12. Discard mortality of striped bass by season and stretched mesh size in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) gillnet fisheries of Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, 2004...... 23 Table 13. Striped bass total lengths (mm) by season (winter and spring), area (Albemarle Sound [AS]; Neuse River [NR], and Pamlico/Pungo River [PR]), and stretched mesh size in the large and small gillnet fisheries, 2004...... 23

vi Introduction

Fishery managers continually face the issue of bycatch and discards in commercial and recreational fisheries (Gray 2002). Discards impact fishery yields and fishery managers’ ability to accurately assess fishery stocks (Fennessy 1994; Hall 1999). Bycatch is defined as “the portion of a catch taken incidentally to the targeted catch because of non-selectivity of the fishing gear to either species or size differences” (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1994). Bycatch can be divided into two components: incidental catch and discarded catch. Incidental catch refers to retained or marketable catch of non-targeted species, while discarded catch is that portion of the catch returned to the sea as a result of regulatory, economic, or personal preference.

Increasingly, fishery managers are understanding the importance of obtaining accurate and timely bycatch and discard data from commercial fisheries. Scientists can obtain estimates through fishery-independent research projects, such as characterizations of catches by setting experimental gillnets (Jensen 1990). While fishery-independent studies such as this can provide accurate size selectivity information, the actual components of effort, catch, and discards in relation to commercial fisheries cannot be obtained. One way to obtain accurate estimates of effort, catch, and discards is through scientific observations made aboard commercial fishing vessels. Commercial fishery (fishery-dependent) observations allow the collection of real time catch and discard information, while simultaneously utilizing the knowledge and expertise of commercial fishermen (Price and Rulifson 2004). Observer programs at both the state and federal level have proven to be valuable tools for fishery managers to characterize both directed catch and bycatch, document endangered or threatened species interactions, and provide information that can be used for stock assessments. All will assist in sustaining economically important populations of finfish species (French et al. 1982).

Through field observations, data collections, and literature review, the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) have discerned that striped bass (Morone saxatilis) discards from commercial gillnet fisheries constitute a significant source of mortality. In order to ascertain this and characterize North Carolina commercial gillnet fisheries, an estuarine gillnet observer program was formed.

This project quantified striped bass bycatch and bycatch of other federally managed species of finfish including but not limited to: weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), hickory shad (Alosa mediocris), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus), southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus). These data will assist managers in sustaining striped bass and other coastal stocks, which are an important resource for both commercial and recreational fishermen. Protected species interactions were also documented: bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles.

Methods

This study was conducted from 1 January to 30 June throughout the Albemarle Sound Management Area (ASMA), the Pamlico/Pungo River and Neuse River (Figure 1). The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and NCDMF trained observers to conduct weekly observer trips aboard commercial vessels operating in the gillnet fisheries. Commercial fishermen were randomly selected, and observer effort was weighted by region utilizing the NCDMF trip tickets to ensure that observers obtained proportional effort and catch data.

Each observer was trained to collect data under NCDMF protocols. NMFS staff provided training on protected species identification, handling, and tagging protocols. Data collections included: enumerating, measuring, weighing, and recording disposition of target and bycatch species; noting date, time, location, and net characteristics (length, height, hang ratio, twine size, etc.) of all sets and retrievals; and recording all protected species interactions, including tagging.

The results were stratified by area (Albemarle Sound, Pamlico/Pungo, Neuse), mesh size (large > 5 inch stretch mesh, small < 5 inch stretch mesh), and season (Winter: January - March and Spring: April - June). The results were analyzed to determine trends, any key areas where management improvements are needed; and provide trends and characterization of currently unknown fishery parameters in these areas.

Results

The results provided varying trends among the three strata of season, area, and mesh size. Two seasonal components and three different net types were identified. First, there was a winter and spring fishery. Secondly, there were different gear types including: anchored sink gillnets, anchored floating gillnets, and runaround gillnets. The anchored sink gillnets (for both large and small mesh) consist of a leadline, floatline, and an anchor on each end of the net. The anchored floating gillnets were similar, with the only difference being an anchor at one end designed so that the net can swing with shifting currents. The runaround gillnet fishery was primarily a sight fishery that employed the methodology of visually sighting fish, then throwing an anchored end of gillnet into the water, and encircling the catch. The following sections will discuss findings ranging from observed net sets to discard mortality estimates and provide an overall characterization of effort, catch, and bycatch in large mesh gillnet fisheries in North Carolina from January through June 2004.

Figure 1. Study areas for commercial gillnet observations made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004.

3 Coverage

According to preliminary trip ticket data, there were nearly 11,000 gillnet trips in the observed areas between 1 January and 30 June 2004. Observers were present on 101 gillnet fishing trips achieving 0.94% coverage (Table 1). Observations were made on 985 nets consisting of 112,127 yards of large mesh gillnet and 12,915 yards of small mesh gillnet for a total of 125,042 yards of gillnet observed. There were 888 large mesh gillnets observed with all set locations near the shoreline (Figure 2). There were 97 observed small mesh gillnets in close proximity to the shore line (Figure 3).

Month Area Total Observed Total Trips % Observed

January AS 5 1,163 0.43 NR 0 87 0.00 PR 0 50 0.00

February AS 11 2,106 0.52 NR 3 209 1.44 PR 0 106 0.00

March AS 23 3,277 0.70

NR 7 285 2.46 PR 6 560 1.07 April AS 1 894 0.11 NR 6 245 2.45

PR 3 435 0.69

May AS 5 561 0.89 NR 8 266 3.01 PR 4 264 1.52

June* AS 13 138 9.42 NR 3 * * PR 3 46 6.52 101 10,692 0.94

*Trip Ticket data for these values were not complete.

Figure 2. Large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) commercial gillnet set samples made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004.

Figure 3. Small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) commercial gillnet set samples made in North Carolina from 1 January through 30 June 2004.

6 Gear Parameters

Observers sampled large and small mesh gillnets consisting of three different gear types: anchored sink gillnets, anchored floating gillnets, and runaround gillnets. Varying trends were observed in the three fisheries.

Large Mesh Fishery There were 888 gillnets observed in the large mesh fishery, with the majority (74%) of observations from anchored sink gillnets (Table 2). The remaining 26% of observations were obtained from anchored floating gillnets. The maximum number of yards observed in sink gillnet sets was 350 yards and sets averaged approximately 140 yards. The maximum number of yards observed in floating gillnet sets was 300 yards with an average of 90 yards (Table 2). Mean soak times for both gear types were nearly identical at about one day. Stretched mesh sizes between both gear types averaged about the same (mean = 5.47 inches for sink, mean = 5.43 inches for floating) (Table 2).

Table 2. Summary statistics for the large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet gear parameters from observations made in North Carolina, 1 January through 30 June 2004.

Mesh Size Gear Type N Gear Parameter Min Mean Max

Large Monofilament gill net sink, anchored 654 Mesh Size (in) 5.00 5.47 6.00 Twine Size (mm) 0.33 0.43 0.57 Net Set Depth (m) 0.50 2.08 5.80 Soak Time (days) 0.50 1.02 2.00 Yards/Net 33 139 350 Vertical Mesh Count 12 20 40

Monofilament gill net, floating, anchored 234 Mesh Size (in) 5.00 5.43 5.50

Twine Size (mm) 0.28 0.39 0.69

Net Set Depth (m) 0.60 2.78 6.40

Soak Time (days) 0.50 1.13 4.00 Yards/Net 33 90 300 Vertical Mesh Count 20 33 50

Small Mesh Fishery There were 97 nets observed in the small mesh fishery (Table 3). Anchored sink gillnets comprised 73% (n = 71) of these. There were 20 (21%) anchored floating gillnets observed, while runaround sinking gillnets made up the remaining six trips (6%). The average number of yards per net was identical in both the anchored sink and floating gillnets (106 yd). The average mesh size for these two fisheries was similar (mean = 3.12 in for sink, mean = 3.25 in for floating) (Table 3).

7 Table 3. Summary statistics for small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet gear parameters from observations made in North Carolina, January through June 2004.

Mesh Size Gear Type N Gear Parameter Min Mean Max

Small Monofilament gill net sink, anchored 71 Mesh Size (in) 2.75 3.12 4.00

Twine Size (mm) 0.28 0.33 0.52

Net Set Depth (m) 0.60 2.74 4.60

Soak Time (days) 1.00 1.30 2.00

Yards/Net 20 106 325

Vertical Mesh Count 10 43 80

Monofilament gill net, sinking, run-around 6 Mesh Size (in) 3.00 3.00 3.00 Twine Size (mm) 0.47 0.48 0.52 Net Set Depth (m) 0.90 1.25 1.50 Soak Time (days) 0.01 0.02 0.03 Yards/Net 250 542 600 Vertical Mesh Count 40 48 50

Monofilament gill net, floating, anchored 20 Mesh Size (in) 3.25 3.25 3.25 Twine Size (mm) 0.23 0.29 0.33 Net Set Depth (m) 3.00 5.49 6.40 Soak Time (days) 1.00 1.00 1.00 Yards/Net 80 106 200 Vertical Mesh Count 30 36 40

Species Composition

The composition of species caught varied with season and mesh size. Seasons were defined as winter and spring by calendar months (winter: 1 January through 31 March; spring: 1 April through 30 June 2004).

Winter Fishery There were more than 30 different species observed in the winter fishery with Atlantic menhaden representing 32% of the catch by weight and 51% of the catch by number (Table 4). Combined shad catches (American and hickory) represented 35% of the weight and 14% by number, with the majority of these being American shad. Striped bass accounted for 11% of the catch by weight, but only 3% of the catch by number. There were 389 striped bass caught in the winter fishery (Table 4).

8 Table 4. Relative biomass (kg) and number of individuals observed in the winter commercial gillnet fisheries in North Carolina, January through March 2004.

Season Scientific Name Common Name % Biomass % Number Total Number Total Weight

Winter Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic menhaden 31.68 51.31 6,484 1,843.45 Alosa sapidissima American shad 20.24 6.54 827 1,177.65 Alosa mediocris hickory shad 14.84 7.30 922 863.45 Morone saxatilis striped bass 10.69 3.08 389 621.85 Alosa pseudoharengus alewife 9.33 19.03 2,405 543.10 Mugil cephalus striped mullet 5.17 6.99 883 300.80 Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad 1.69 0.98 124 98.55 Ameiurus catus white catfish 1.68 0.60 76 97.90 Morone americana white perch 1.08 2.23 282 63.00 Ictalurus punctatus channel catfish 1.02 0.25 32 59.55 Amia calva bowfin 0.71 0.14 18 41.30 Paralichthys lethostigma southern flounder 0.68 0.57 72 39.35 Cyprinus carpio common carp 0.38 0.08 10 22.00 Scyliorhinidae cat sharks 0.17 0.02 3 10.10 Alosa aestivalis blueback herring 0.17 0.22 28 9.80 Cynoscion nebulosus spotted seatrout 0.12 0.03 4 7.00 Mustelus spp. sharks 0.12 0.06 7 6.70 Lepisosteus osseus longnose gar 0.09 0.02 3 5.40 Lophius americanus goosefish 0.06 0.01 1 3.50 Moxostoma suckers 0.03 0.01 1 1.50 Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass 0.02 0.01 1 1.30 Moxostoma macrolepidotum shorthead redhorse 0.02 0.01 1 1.20 Perca flavescens yellow perch 0.01 0.02 2 0.60 Callinectes sapidus blue crab 0.15 19 Mustelus canis smooth dogfish 0.02 3 Gavia immer common loon 0.09 11 Podilymbus podiceps pied billed grebe 0.01 1 Phalacrocorax auritus double-crested cormorant 0.08 10 Aythya affinis lesser scaup duck 0.02 3 Lophodytes cucullatus hooded merganser 0.09 12 Larus argentatus herring gull 0.01 1 Larus atricilla laughing gull 0.01 1 100.00 100.00 12,636 5,819.05

Spring Fishery Over 40 species were observed in the spring fishery (Table 5), where spot was the primary catch by weight (40%) and by number (63%). Flounder (primarily southern flounder) were the next most common, representing 33% of the total catch by weight and 18% of the catch by number. American shad represented 10% of the catch by weight and 2% of the catch by number. Atlantic menhaden accounted for 4% of the total biomass and 9% of the total number of fish caught. Striped bass accounted for only 3% of the catch by weight, which 0.5% of the catch by number. There were nine Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) captures observed in the spring large mesh Albemarle Sound fishery (Table 5).

9 Table 5. Relative biomass (kg) and number of individuals observed in the spring commercial gillnet fisheries in North Carolina, April through June 2004. Season Scientific Name Common Name % Biomass % Number Total Number Total Weight

Spring Leiostomus xanthurus spot 39.59 63.39 4,602 885.70 Paralichthys lethostigma southern flounder 32.96 18.18 1,320 737.25 Alosa sapidissima American shad 9.57 1.71 124 214.10 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic menhaden 4.05 8.82 640 90.50 Morone saxatilis striped bass 3.19 0.47 34 71.45 Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad 1.74 0.77 56 39.00 Pogonias cromis black drum 1.19 0.17 12 26.70 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker 0.99 0.87 63 22.25 Alosa mediocris hickory shad 0.99 0.23 17 22.20 Ameiurus catus white catfish 0.96 0.21 15 21.50 Sciaenops ocellatus red drum 0.71 0.11 8 15.90 Acipenser oxyrhynchus Atlantic sturgeon 0.58 0.12 9 13.00 Pomatomus saltatrix bluefish 0.51 0.44 32 11.35 Cynoscion nebulosus spotted seatrout 0.47 0.18 13 10.45 Cynoscion regalis weakfish 0.42 0.36 26 9.45 Ictalurus spp. catfishes 0.38 0.11 8 8.60 Mugil cephalus striped mullet 0.34 0.40 29 7.70 Lepisosteus osseus longnose gar 0.34 0.66 48 7.70 Amia calva bowfin 0.29 0.04 3 6.40 Cyprinus carpio common carp 0.22 0.70 51 4.90 Pylodictis olivaris flathead catfish 0.09 0.03 2 2.05 Ictalurus punctatus channel catfish 0.07 0.04 3 1.60 Moxostoma anisurum silver redhorse 0.05 0.01 1 1.20 Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass 0.05 0.01 1 1.20 Archosargus probatocephalus sheepshead 0.05 0.01 1 1.10 Lagodon rhomboides pinfish 0.04 0.08 6 0.80 Paralichthys dentatus summer flounder 0.03 0.03 2 0.70 Morone americana white perch 0.03 0.03 2 0.60 Perca flavescens yellow perch 0.02 0.03 2 0.50 Peprilus triacanthus butterfish 0.02 0.06 4 0.40 Bairdiella chrysoura silver perch 0.01 0.03 2 0.20 Trinectes maculatus hogchoker 0.01 0.03 2 0.20 Orthopristis chrysoptera pigfish 0.01 0.01 1 0.15 Lepomis gibbosus pumpkinseed 0.00 0.01 1 0.10 Callinectes sapidus blue crab 0.72 52 Rajiformes rays 0.06 4 Dasyatidae stingrays 0.01 1 Dasyatis americana southern stingray 0.01 1 Rhinoptera bonasus cownose ray 0.54 39 Chelydra serpentina common snapping turtle 0.01 1 Malaclemys terrapin diamondback turtle 0.08 6 Chrysemys scripta yellowbelly turtle 0.12 9 Phalacrocorax auritus double-crested cormorant 0.08 6 Mergus serrator red breasted merganser 0.01 1 100.00 100.00 7,260 2,236.90

Effort

Effort was defined as yards of net multiplied by soakdays and was calculated per 100 yards of gillnet. Observed effort varied by area, season, and mesh size.

Large Mesh Fishery Observed effort was higher in the spring fishery in each area for large mesh anchored sink gillnets (Figure 4). Combining seasons, observations of this gear depicted the majority (69%) of observed effort in Albemarle Sound. While total observed effort was relatively low during the winter fishery, the Albemarle Sound accounted for 66% of the observed winter effort (Figure 4).

In contrast, the total observed effort in the anchored floating large mesh fishery occurred almost completely (98%) in the winter (Figure 4). Most (77%) of this effort was observed in Albemarle Sound. The observed effort of this gear in the spring fishery occurred only in the Neuse River (total effort = 400 yards * soakdays), and represented less than 2% of the total observed effort among seasons and area (Figure 4).

600 Anchored Sink Large Mesh

500

400 Winter Spring

300

200

100 Total Effort (yards * soakdays) 0 AS NR PR Area Fished

600 Anchored Floating Large Mesh 500

400 Winter Spring

300

200

100

Total Effort (yards * soakdays)

0 AS NR PR Area Fished

Figure 4. Total effort (yards*soakdays) per 100 yards observed in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink and floating large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout the Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and the Pamlico River (PR), 2004.

11 Small Mesh Fishery The observed anchored sink gillnet and floating small mesh gillnet effort was concentrated in the winter fishery (Figure 5). Combining season and gear type, the majority (68%) of the observed small mesh fishery occurred in the Albemarle Sound. However, there was no observed effort in the Albemarle Sound during the spring in either fishery. There was a significant amount (29%) of effort observed in the Neuse River for anchored sink gillnets. The only observed anchored floating small mesh effort (total effort = 2100 yards * soakdays) was in the Albemarle Sound during the winter (Figure 5).

100 Anchored Sink Small Mesh 75

50 Winter Spring

Total Effort(yards soakdays) * 0 AS NR PR Area Fished

100 Anchored Floating Small Mesh 75

50 Winter Spring

Total Total Effort(yards soakdays) * 0 AS NR PR Area Fished

Figure 5. Total effort (yards*soakdays) per 100 yards observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink and floating small mesh (<5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries of Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004.

Key Species Catches

Total catch of key species was determined by calculating total weight (kg) by area, season, and mesh size. Paralicthid species were lumped because there were only two observations of summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) with the remaining (n = 1,392) samples comprised of southern flounder. Trends are discussed between large and small mesh net sets.

Large Mesh Fishery During the winter, the anchored sink large mesh fishery in the Albemarle Sound primarily targeted shad, striped bass, and Atlantic menhaden (Figure 6). The vast majority of

12 American shad caught in the Albemarle Sound (97%) and the Pamlico River (92%) were observed in the winter fishery. In the Neuse River, about half (56%) of American shad were caught in the winter fishery. Hickory shad in this fishery occurred entirely in the winter season. The majority (74%) of Atlantic menhaden catches and the majority (76%) of the striped bass catches were observed during the winter.

By contrast, in the spring, the observed anchored sink large mesh fishery almost exclusively targeted flounder, with 98% of the total observed flounder catch occurring during this time period (Figure 6). Red drum (n = 8) catches were only observed in the Neuse River during the spring. There were 34 striped bass observed in anchored sink large mesh gillnets during the spring.

300 Anchored Sink Large Mesh AS Winter 250 NR Winter PR Winter 200

150

100

TotalWeight (kg)

0 American Hickory Flounder red drum striped bass Atlantic shad shad spp. menhaden Species

300 Anchored Sink Large Mesh AS Spring 250 NR Spring PR Spring 200

150

100 TotalWeight (kg) 50

0 American Hickory Flounder red drum striped bass Atlantic shad shad spp. menhaden Species Figure 6. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink large mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004.

The anchored floating large mesh fishery was primarily a winter fishery (Figure 7). Total key species catch was predominately of American and hickory shad, striped bass, and Atlantic menhaden. The Albemarle Sound was the most productive area. In the spring, there were significant catches of American shad observed in the Neuse River. There were few (18 kg) striped bass observed during the spring (Figure 7).

1000

Anchored Floating Large Mesh 800

600 AS Winter NR Winter PR Winter 400

TotalWeight (kg) 200

0 American Hickory shad Flounder spp. red drum striped bass Atlantic shad menhaden Species

1000 Anchored Floating Large Mesh 800

AS Spring 600 NR Spring PR Spring 400

TotalWeight (kg) 200

0 American Hickory shad Flounder spp. red drum striped bass Atlantic shad menhaden Species Figure 7. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored floating large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries in Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico/Pungo River (PR), 2004.

Small Mesh Fishery The seasonal and geographical differences in the anchored sink small mesh fishery were substantial with nearly the entire key species catch concentrated during the winter (Figure 8). This fishery almost exclusively targeted alewifes (Alosa pseudoharengus) and striped mullet in the Albemarle Sound, which accounted for 99% and 100% of the observed total for these species, respectively. There were also significant catches of Atlantic menhaden and hickory shad observed during the winter season in the Neuse River. The spring sink small mesh fishery almost exclusively landed spot and all of the total observed catch of spot was observed in the Neuse River. There were no observed catches of striped bass in anchored sink small mesh gillnets observed in the spring (Figure 8).

900 Anchored Sink Small Mesh 800 AS Winter NR Winter 700 PR Winter 600 500 400 300 TotalWeight (kg) 200

100 0 Atlantic striped alew ife spot striped bass hickory menhaden mullet shad Species

900 Anchored Sink Small Mesh 800 AS Spring 700 NR Spring 600 PR Spring 500

400

300 TotalWeight (kg) 200 100 0 Atlantic striped alew ife spot striped bass hickory shad menhaden mullet Species

Figure 8. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March), and spring (April – June) commercial anchored sink small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries in Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004.

Relative to the anchored sink small mesh gillnet fishery, the key species catch in the anchored floating small mesh fishery was minimal, and there were no observed catches of key species during the spring fishery (Figure 9). However, there were some striped bass (82.3 kg) and hickory shad (11.1 kg) observed in this gear during the winter.

900 Anchored Floating Small Mesh 800 AS Winter 700 NR Winter

600 PR Winter 500

400

300 TotalWeight (kg) 200

100 0 Atlantic striped alew ife spot striped bass hickory menhaden mullet shad Species

Figure 9. Total weight (kg) of the top six species observed in the winter (January – March) commercial anchored floating small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound (AS), Neuse River (NR), and Pamlico River (PR), 2004.

Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) – Key Species

Catch per unit effort was determined by dividing total weight (kg) by total effort, and was calculated per 100 yards of net. Seasonal and geographical differences were observed.

Large Mesh Fishery Seasonally, the CPUE in the large mesh fishery was higher for almost all key species, except flounder, during the winter than the spring (Table 6). The flounder fishery, which was a spring fishery with low observed CPUEs in all areas during the winter. The highest CPUE (4.55) occurred in the Pamlico/Pungo River winter American shad fishery. The next largest CPUE (4.12) occurred in the Pamlico/Pungo River spring flounder fishery. There was a relatively high CPUE (1.49) observed for striped bass in the Albemarle Sound winter fishery.

Small Mesh Fishery Most of the catch and effort of key species was observed during the winter in the Albemarle Sound and the Neuse River (Table 7). The largest CPUE (8.97) was observed during the winter hickory shad fishery in the Neuse River. All other CPUEs in the Neuse were relatively low. There was also an increased CPUE (6.67) observed in the winter alewife fishery in Albemarle Sound. Likewise, the CPUEs for striped mullet (3.70) and striped bass (1.32) were also high in the Albemarle Sound winter fishery (Table 7).

16 Table 6. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) defined as: total weight (kg) / (total yards * soaktime) per 100 yards for all combined large mesh (> 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet sets in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, NC, 2004.

Albemarle Sound Neuse River Pamlico River Species Winter Spring Winter Spring Winter Spring

American shad 2.50 0.01 2.63 1.25 4.55 0.14

hickory shad 1.55 0.00 1.23 0.13 1.23 0.00

flounder spp. 0.10 0.51 0.03 1.38 0.23 4.12

striped bass 1.49 0.04 0.58 0.27 0.50 0.09

red drum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00

striped mullet 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

alewife 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Table 7. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) defined as: total weight (kg) / (total yards * soaktime) per 100 yards for all combined small mesh (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet sets in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) fisheries throughout Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, NC, 2004.

Albemarle Sound Neuse River Pamlico River Species Winter Spring Winter Spring Winter Spring

American shad 0.48 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00

hickory shad 0.25 0.00 8.97 0.02 0.00 0.12

Flounder spp. 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.03 0.00 0.08

striped bass 1.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

red drum 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

striped mullet 3.70 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.00

alewife 6.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

17 Finfish Bycatch

There were two classifications of discards: regulatory and unmarketable. Regulatory discards were defined as any fish that must be discarded due to size, season, or quota restrictions. Unmarketable discards accounted for all other discards, including discretionary discards.

Atlantic menhaden accounted for the vast majority of discards in large mesh winter fishery (Table 8). All menhaden discards were classified as unmarketable discards. Of the 223 striped bass caught in the large mesh winter fishery, 55% were regulatory discards; only one was an unmarketable discard. There were 67 flounder observed during the winter and 13% were regulatory discards.

The small mesh winter fishery had basically no discards of the top five species caught: alewife, striped mullet, hickory shad, white perch (Morone americana), and American shad (Table 8). Although 99% (n = 164) of the 166 striped bass caught in the small mesh winter fishery were regulatory discards. There were few flounder encountered (n = 5) during the small mesh winter fishery. Three of those were regulatory discards.

In the large mesh spring fishery, flounder accounted for the largest catch by number (Table 9). Identical to the winter fishery, 13% of the flounder catches were regulatory discards. Atlantic menhaden was the next most numerous species (n = 476), with approximately 97% of these discarded as unmarketable. Of the 34 striped bass observed in the large mesh spring fishery, 44% were regulatory discards and 32% were unmarketable discards. Atlantic sturgeon (n = 9) and red drum (n = 8) were only observed in the large mesh spring fishery. Only one of the red drum was a regulatory discard and two were unmarketable.

In the spring small mesh fishery, spot (n = 4,583) represented the majority of catches, and all of these were kept (Table 9). Atlantic menhaden (n = 164) was the second most numerous observed species caught in the spring small mesh fishery and all were discarded as unmarketable. There were six flounder caught in the spring small mesh fishery and all were regulatory discards.

18 Table 8. Tabulation of total catch and discards by number and species status (kept, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the winter (January – March) large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries from scientific observations obtained throughout the Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River in 2004.

Season Mesh Size Species Fish Kept Unmarketable Regulatory Discard Total

Winter Large Atlantic menhaden 1,536 3,792 0 5,328 American shad 626 10 0 636 hickory shad 609 2 0 611 striped bass 99 1 123 223 gizzard shad 97 25 0 122 white catfish 73 1 0 74 paralicthid flounders 57 1 9 67 channel catfish 26 0 0 26 bowfin 0 15 0 15 blue crab 0 12 0 12 hooded merganser 0 0 12 12 common loon 0 0 11 11 double-crested cormorant 0 0 10 10 common carp 5 4 0 9

Mustelus sharks 0 7 0 7 alewife 0 0 5 5 spotted seatrout 4 0 0 4 cat sharks 3 0 0 3 longnose gar 0 2 1 3 lesser scaup duck 0 0 3 3 Moxostoma suckers 0 1 0 1 shorthead redhorse 0 1 0 1 goosefish 1 0 0 1 white perch 1 0 0 1 largemouth bass 0 1 0 1 striped mullet 0 1 0 1 pied billed grebe 0 0 1 1 herring gull 0 0 1 1 laughing gull 0 0 1 1

Small alewife 2,395 0 5 2,400 striped mullet 882 0 0 882 hickory shad 285 0 0 285 white perch 281 0 0 281 American shad 172 0 0 172 striped bass 2 0 164 166 blueback herring 5 0 23 28 Atlantic menhaden 1 5 0 6 channel catfish 6 0 0 6 paralicthid flounders 2 0 3 5 bowfin 0 3 0 3 gizzard shad 0 2 0 2 white catfish 2 0 0 2 yellow perch 2 0 0 2 common carp 0 1 0 1

19 Table 9. Tabulation of total catch and discards by number and species status (kept, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the spring (April - June) large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries from scientific observations obtained throughout the Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River in 2004.

Season Mesh Size Species Fish Kept Unmarketable Regulatory Discard Total

Spring Large paralicthid flounders 1,108 33 175 1,316 Atlantic menhaden 13 463 0 476 American shad 105 10 9 124 blue crab 0 35 17 52 gizzard shad 0 52 0 52 Atlantic croaker 24 28 0 52 common carp 9 42 0 51 longnose gar 0 48 0 48 cownose ray 0 39 0 39 striped bass 8 11 15 34 spot 15 4 0 19 bluefish 3 13 0 16 hickory shad 12 3 0 15 white catfish 15 0 0 15 black drum 11 0 0 11 Atlantic sturgeon 0 0 9 9 yellowbelly turtle 0 0 9 9 Ictalurus catfishes 7 1 0 8 red drum 5 2 1 8 spotted seatrout 5 1 0 6 diamondback turtle 0 0 6 6 double-crested cormorant 0 0 6 6 rays 0 4 0 4 bowfin 0 3 0 3 channel catfish 3 0 0 3 flathead catfish 2 0 0 2 white perch 2 0 0 2 yellow perch 1 1 0 2 stingrays 0 1 0 1 southern stingray 0 1 0 1 silver redhorse 0 1 0 1 pumpkinseed 0 1 0 1 largemouth bass 0 1 0 1 sheepshead 1 0 0 1 weakfish 0 0 1 1 common snapping turtle 0 0 1 1 red breasted merganser 0 0 1 1 Small spot 4,583 0 0 4,583 Atlantic menhaden 0 164 0 164 striped mullet 29 0 0 29 weakfish 24 1 0 25 bluefish 16 0 0 16 Atlantic croaker 11 0 0 11 spotted seatrout 7 0 0 7 pinfish 0 6 0 6 paralicthid flounders 0 0 6 6 gizzard shad 0 4 0 4 butterfish 4 0 0 4 hickory shad 1 1 0 2 silver perch 2 0 0 2 hogchoker 0 2 0 2 pigfish 1 0 0 1 black drum 1 0 0 1

20 At Net Discard Mortality

Mortality data were collected for discarded finfish as part of this study. However, these data were not collected initially and were only collected for key species and regulatory discards. At net (instantaneous) mortality was defined as finding fish dead upon at net retrieval.

In the large mesh winter fishery, instantaneous mortality rates for striped bass were relatively low (7%) for large mesh catches (Table 10). In small mesh nets, instantaneous mortality of striped bass (2%) was further decreased.

The nine Atlantic sturgeon caught in the large mesh spring fishery were all released alive (Table 10). Instantaneous mortality for striped bass (n = 15) was 53%. The instantaneous mortality rate of flounder (25%) was relatively high. However, if the unmarketable flounder discards (generally decomposing, legal size fish) are eliminated, the discard mortality of regulatory discards drops to < 5%. In the spring fishery there was no observed mortality of flounder (Tables 9 and 10).

Table 10. Tabulation of total discards and percentage at net mortality by season and mesh size in the winter (January – March) and spring (April - June) large (> 5 in stretch mesh) and small (< 5 in stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries from observations obtained throughout the Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, 2004.

Season Mesh Species Total Discards Number Alive Number Dead % At Net Mortality

Winter Large striped bass 123 115 8 7 Small striped bass 164 160 4 2

Spring Large Atlantic sturgeon 9 9 0 0 American shad 5 3 2 40 striped bass 15 7 8 53 weakfish 1 0 1 100 red drum 1 0 1 100 flounder spp. 153 114 39 25

Small flounder spp. 6 6 0 0

Runaround Gillnet Fishery

The observations of the runaround gillnet fishery consisted of five small mesh nets in the Neuse River and one net in the Pamlico/Pungo River, all of which occurred during the spring. In the Neuse River, nets were three inch stretched mesh with a twine size of 0.47 mm and were 600 yards in length. The average fishing depth was 1.5 m and nets had an average soak time of approximately 40 minutes. The runaround gillnet observed in the Pamlico/Pungo River was 3 inch stretched mesh with 0.52 mm twine. It was 40 yards long and set in 1.2 m of water for 15 minutes. These nets targeted spot based not on sight, as in the mullet fishery, but on the fisherman’s knowledge of spawning behavior and information gathered from nearby anchored gillnets. A total of 294 spot (54.4 kg) was caught employing this method. Very little bycatch

21 resulted from this method. The bycatch consisted of eight Atlantic menhaden, three spotted sea trout, and one bluefish.

Striped Bass

There were 423 striped bass catches observed from January through June 2004. Most (88%) of these were captured during the winter in the Albemarle Sound (Table 11). The captures from large mesh gillnets accounted for 61% (n = 257), while small mesh captures accounted for 39% (n = 166). Most (74%) of the striped bass catches (n = 314) were discarded (Table 11).

Winter fishery In the large mesh winter gillnet (> 5 inch stretch mesh) fishery, there were 123 (55%) regulatory striped bass discards, one unmarketable discard, and 99 marketable fish (Tables 11, 12). The small mesh winter fishery resulted in 164 (99%) regulatory discards and two marketable fish. The at net discard mortality of these fish ranged from 2% (sample size n = 159) in 3.25 inch stretched mesh to 20% (sample size n = 5) in 3 inch stretched mesh (Table 12).

Spring fishery Significantly fewer (n = 34) striped bass were observed in the spring fishery with 15 regulatory discards, 11 unmarketable discards and only eight marketable fish (Table 11). The mortality rates of these fish in both the 5.25 (n = 10) and 5.5 (n = 5) inch stretch mesh were high (50% and 60%, respectively) (Table 12).

Striped Bass Lengths By Mesh Size In general, mean lengths were higher in the winter fishery than the spring (Table 13). Striped bass ranged in length from 229 to 918 mm. The average lengths of striped bass observed in small mesh fisheries were significantly lower than those observed in large mesh fisheries, and the only captures of striped bass observed in small mesh gillnets occurred in the Albemarle during the winter (Table 13).

Table 11. Total catch and discards of striped bass by number and species status (kept, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the winter (January – March) large (> 5 inch stretch mesh) and small (< 5 inch stretch mesh) gillnet fisheries and the spring (April – June) large mesh gillnet fisheries of Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, 2004. Season Mesh Size Fish Kept Unmarketable Regulatory Discard Total

Winter Large 99 1 123 223

Small 2 0 164 166

Spring Large 8 11 15 34

Totals 109 12 302 423

22 Table 12. Discard mortality of striped bass by season and stretched mesh size in the winter (January – March) and spring (April – June) gillnet fisheries of Albemarle Sound, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River, 2004.

Season Mesh Size Total Discards Number Alive Number Dead % At Net Mortality

Winter 3.00 5 4 1 20 3.25 159 156 3 2 5.25 68 66 2 3 5.50 55 49 6 11

Spring 5.25 10 5 5 50 5.50 5 2 3 60

Table 13. Striped bass total lengths (mm) by season (winter and spring), area (Albemarle Sound [AS]; Neuse River [NR], and Pamlico/Pungo River [PR]), and stretched mesh size in the large and small gillnet fisheries, 2004. Season Area Mesh Size (in) N Min Length (mm) Max Length (mm) Avg Length (mm)

Winter AS 3.00 5 273 305 291.6 3.25 161 229 839 349.7 5.25 98 410 918 520.4 5.50 110 391 862 530.7 NR 5.25 3 620 809 723.0 5.50 7 460 910 655.0 6.00 1 790 790 790.0

PR 5.50 4 494 755 577.3

Spring AS 5.25 10 410 550 484.6 5.50 4 457 580 539.3 6.00 1 545 545 545.0

NR 5.50 16 432 810 571.3

PR 5.25 2 461 530 495.5 6.00 1 550 550 550.0

Red Drum

There were very few (n = 8) red drum observed during this study, and all were caught in large mesh gillnets in the Neuse River. These represented 0.11% of the total catch by number and 0.71% by total weight. Of these, five were marketable fish, two were unmarketable discards and one was a regulatory discard. These fish had a combined weight of 15.9 kg. The total lengths of red drum ranged from a 249 to 670 mm (mean = 524 mm).

23 Sea Bird and Protected Species Bycatch

There was a significant amount of sea bird bycatch observed in the large mesh gillnet fisheries throughout the winter and spring fishing season. No sea bird interactions observed were in the small mesh fisheries. Sea bird bycatch observed in the large mesh winter fishery included 11 common loons, one pied billed grebe, ten double-crested cormorants, three lesser scaup ducks, 12 hooded mergansers, one herring gull, and one laughing gull. The large mesh spring fishery sea bird bycatch consisted of six double-crested cormorants and one red-breasted merganser. There were no protected species interactions observed in this study.

Project Limitations

Limitations to this project included relatively small sample sizes, and less than the desired number of observed trips. Factors that influenced this were scattered effort and lack of compliance from fishermen.

Discussion

Fishery observers monitor and record catch data on commercial fishing activity, worldwide. The data are used to supplement research and aid in the management of living marine resources. Observers may collect data on species composition of the catch, weights of fish caught, disposition of landed species and protected species interactions. Fishing locations and fishing effort are also important data for managing fisheries. In some fisheries, observers provide valuable assistance to researchers with tagging projects involving sharks, and even some species of sea turtles. Observer programs often are responsible for collecting the largest part of fisheries management data. The first hand information supplied by observers to fisheries managers on protected species interactions with fishing activities provides excellent information to help sustain and rebuild some populations of protected species (French et. al 1982).

The purpose of this project was to identify and characterize effort, catch, and bycatch in commercial gillnet fisheries in North Carolina throughout the ASMA, Neuse River, and Pamlico/Pungo River. This project identified a winter and spring fishery consisting of large and small mesh nets. There were three gear types observed: anchored sink gillnets, anchored floating gillnets, and runaround gillnets. Large mesh gillnet fisheries included anchored sink and anchored floating gear types. Small mesh gillnet fisheries were comprised of anchored sink, anchored floating, and runaround fisheries. In the winter large mesh fishery, fishermen were primarily targeting American and hickory shad, striped bass, and Atlantic menhaden while in the spring large mesh fishery the primary target was flounder. The winter Albemarle large mesh gillnet fishery produced the largest numbers of observed striped bass. The winter anchored sink small mesh fishery targeted alewifes, Atlantic menhaden, and striped mullet, while the spring sink fishery targeted spot. The winter floating small mesh fishery targeted striped bass, while the spring runaround fishery targeted spot.

24 The winter and spring fisheries differed in the species collected and in the effort to catch them. The observed total effort and total catch in the winter fishery reflects gillnet fishermen primarily targeted American shad, hickory shad, alewifes, striped bass, and Atlantic menhaden. Soak times were generally longer in the winter when the water temperatures were lower. This is due in part to the catches not spoiling as they do in the higher temperatures of the spring waters. Flounder and spot were the primary targets of gillnet fishermen in the spring. The only observations of the runaround gillnet fishery occurred during the spring. Likewise, observations of red drum and Atlantic sturgeon only occurred during the spring fishery.

Bycatch and discard mortality estimates are important issues in fisheries management. There were no discard mortality estimates obtained from this study, but at net mortality rates (Tables 10 and 12) were recorded for some key species such as striped bass or flounder. The adjusted (unmarketable discards removed) at net mortality of regulatory discards rate of flounder was 5%. The unmarketable discards are removed on the assumption that all of these fish represent legal sized fish that are decaying. Similarly, a previous small mesh independent gillnet study found an 8% at net mortality of flounder in the spring/summer months and 3% at net mortality of flounder in the fall/winter months (Price and Gearhart 2002 a).

The at net mortality of striped bass during the winter was extremely low (2% in small mesh, 7% in large mesh). By contrast, the at net mortality rate of 53% for striped bass in the spring was observed. This spring at net mortality rate compares well with a previous striped bass mortality estimate (64%) obtained from an independent large mesh gillnet survey (Price and Gearhart 2002 b). The low mortality rates observed in the winter were likely due to low water temperatures, higher dissolved oxygen content, and a large sample size (n = 287). The increased mortality rate observed in the spring could be a result of increased water temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen content, however the sample size (n = 15) was significantly reduced compared to winter samples, and a larger sample size is needed to draw accurate conclusions about the instantaneous mortality of striped bass in the spring months.

The relative percent discards were assessed to ascertain any seasonal trends (Tables 8 and 9). During the winter fishery, 37% of the total captures were discarded, which was notably higher than spring discards (17%). This was due to increased observations of Atlantic menhaden incidental bycatch during the winter fishery. Most Atlantic menhaden were classified as unmarketable discards (71% and 97%, for the winter and spring large mesh fisheries, respectively). The increased percentages of unmarketable Atlantic menhaden were primarily due to a lack of a market in the winter. The market for Atlantic menhaden generally starts in the spring when they are sold for crab bait.

The observed regulatory discards of striped bass were significant. The striped bass season in the ASMA opened 5 January 2004 (NCDMF proclamation FF-51-2003) and closed 6 April 2004 (NCDMF proclamation FF-32-2004). The season in the Central/Southern Management Area (CSMA) opened 8 March 2004 (NCDMF proclamation FF-23-2004) and closed 5 April 2004 (NCDMF proclamation FF-31-2004). The fishery is limited to five takes per day and this likely contributed to the large percentage (74%) of regulatory discards observed in the winter. Very few striped bass (n = 34) were seen in the spring fishery, and 44% were regulatory discards. There were no striped bass observed in the small mesh spring fishery.

25 The importance of characterization studies cannot be overstated. The results of this study provide effort, catch, discard, and bycatch mortality information that can be utilized in current and future stock assessments and management decisions in gillnet fisheries throughout North Carolina.

Conclusion

This study characterized the gillnet fishery in the Albemarle Sound, the Neuse River, and the Pamlico/Pungo River. This is a diverse fishery encompassing large mesh and small mesh gillnets. The observed targeted species varied seasonally and geographically. Specifically, this program quantified species composition, bycatch, at net discard mortality of striped bass and other federally managed species of finfish. Further observation of gillnet effort, and other fisheries is needed to accurately quantify effort, catch, and discards throughout commercial finfish fisheries in North Carolina. This information will assist in the development of Fishery Management Plans and maintaining sustainable stocks.

Recommendations

 Expand the scientific observer coverage in commercial gillnet fisheries to encompass all seasons.

 Establish a long-term scientific observer program throughout North Carolina commercial fisheries.

 Require mandatory observer coverage in North Carolina commercial fisheries.

 Generate better lines of communication between fishery managers, and the commercial fishing industry. This will increase understanding, and allow the increased incorporation of commercial knowledge into fishery management.

26 Literature Cited

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) 1994. Acronymns, abbreviations and technical terms used in ASMFC fishery management programs. Special Report No. 33. October 1994.

Fennessy, F.T. 1994. The impact of commercial prawn trawlers on linefish off the north coast of Natal, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci., 14, 263-279.

French R., N. Russell Jr., and J. Wall. 1982. Role of the United States observer program in management of foreign fisheries in the northeast Pacific ocean and eastern Bering sea. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 2: 122-131.

Gray, C. A. 2002. Management implications of discarding in an estuarine multi-species gill net fishery. Fisheries Research 56 (2002): 177-192.

Hall, S.J. 1999. The effects of fishing on marine ecosystems and communities. Fish Biology and Aquatic Resources Series 1. Blackwell Science, Oxford.

Jensen, J.W. 1990. Comparing fish catches taken with gill nets of different combinations of mesh sizes for some freshwater fish. Journal of Fish Biology 28: 637-646.

Price, A. B. and Gearhart, J. 2002 A. Small nesh gillnet discard mortality of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellata) in Roanoke Sound, Core Sound, and the Neuse River, North Carolina. North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City, North Carolina, NCDMF, 2002.

Price, A. B. and Gearhart, J. 2002 B. Large mesh gillnet discard mortality of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellata) in Roanoke Sound, Core Sound, and the Neuse River, North Carolina. North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City, North Carolina, NCDMF, 2002.

Price, A.B. and R.A. Rulifson 2004. Use of traditional ecological knowledge to reduce striped bass bycatch in the Currituck Sound white perch gillnet fishery. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24: 785-792.