J,jali^'-* -'Ytt 1t,r1 //ctge* slslo6 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Contract # EA l33F-04-SE-082f

A final reoort submitted to the Cooperative Research Partners' Initiative

Prepared by:

Angelica Gulf of Maine Massachusetts Division Research Institute of Marine Fisheries 8 Story Avenue 350 Commercial Street 50A Portside Drive Beverly, MA 02559 Portland, Maine 04101 Pocasset, MA 02559

David Marciano Shale Rosen Michael Pol Mark Sz,.rnanski (978) 922-s987 (20'7) 228-r635 (508) 563-1779 ext.l l6 (508) 563-1779 ext.l37 anqclicafi sh(rtaol.com srosen(rqmri.ors [email protected] mark.sz.ymanskifdstatc.ma.us

Gulf of Maine Research Institute S.i.@. Edu@ti6. Connu^ity, Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract

Gillnet selectivity curves were developed for haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, and pollock Pollachius virens in the Gulf of Maine using multimesh gillnets and the SELECT and REML analytical techniques. Mesh sizes ranged from 4.5 to 6.5 inches (114 to 165 mm) in 0.5 inch (13 mm) increments. Fourteen days of fishing on a commercial gillnet vessel under an Experimental Fishing Permit with a cod limit in an area closed to groundfishing yielded low quantities of haddock, adequate numbers of cod, and substantial numbers of pollock for curve development. Bimodal curves provided the best fit to the cod and pollock data; the haddock data were best fit by a lognormal curve. Girth measurements of all three species resulted in linear fits with r2 values ranging from 0.54-0.84. Post-experimental measurements of gillnets indicated large variation from nominal values, necessitating adjustment of the gillnet modeling for unequal effort. Bycatch of most species was very low, with spiny dogfish predominating. Results indicated that current minimum mesh sizes are a poor match for the minimum landing sizes of all three species. Results also indicated that further work must be done on avoiding cod bycatch if a haddock gillnet is to be reestablished in this area.

2 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Executive Summary

In 2004, the New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) Groundfish Committee was asked to consider establishing a limited 6-inch gillet-only fishery for Gulf of Maine haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus. The Committee expressed concern about the potential bycatch of cod and recommended first testing 6-inch gillnets to determine their effectiveness in catching haddock without a significant bycatch of cod. David Marciano, owner and captain of the gillnet fishing vessel Hard Merchandise and a member of the Associated Fisheries of Maine, contacted scientists at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and a gillnet size selectivity study was proposed and undertaken to address these concerns. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries provided expertise in experimental design and analysis of the catches, and was involved in all aspects of sea sampling.

Gillnets ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 inches, in 0.5 inch increments, were constructed and fished in an time and area of historically high abundance of haddock. Sampling was done on portions of Jeffreys Ledge within the Western Gulf of Maine Closure, during March and May 2005.

Five nets (one of each mesh size) were tied end-to-end to create 6 “fleets.” The nets were rigged and fished in a manner consistent with commercial practice, from a commercial gillnet fishing vessel. Experimental soak times (average 3.5 hours) were much shorter than for a typical commercial set. Fifty-six sets were made over the course of 14 days during two permit-dictated sampling periods: 10 days between 17-31 March and four between 21-29 May 2005.

Catches of haddock were disappointingly low (71 individuals over 14 days of sampling) and bycatch of cod was higher than anticipated (264 individuals for a total weight of 2000 pounds). The conditions of the exempted fishery permit stipulated that upon catching 2000 pounds of cod the project must cease.

SELECT and REML analytical techniques were used to model the catch data. Analyses were run for haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, and pollock Pollachius virens. Mean selection curves were estimated, resulting in a model of retention by length for each mesh size. The results indicate current minimum mesh size (6.5 inches) is a poor match for the minimum legal landing sizes of haddock, cod and pollock. For all three species, model results indicate 6.5 inch mesh will likely result in a capture rate (L25) of much larger than minimum legal landing size (20 cm larger for cod and more than 30 cm larger for both haddock and pollock).

Results from the admittedly small number of captures in this study suggest a reconsideration of minimum mesh sizes for gillnets, or at least further size selectivity studies to confirm or refute the results presented here are warranted. It is also clear that bycatch of cod is likely to be a challenge for a directed springtime haddock fishery on this portion of Jeffreys Ledge. During the study, the fishing partners suggested a gear modification to reduce bycatch of cod (raising the 3 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

webbing of the gillnets 30 inches off the seafloor). Funding has been secured to construct and test a limited number of these modified nets in 2006.

Purpose

Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan proposed a suite of management measures to rebuild New England multispecies stocks. However, many of the management measures are applied over a wide geographic area and across many sectors of the fishing industry, thereby restricting access to certain healthy stocks. To address this concern, Amendment 13 defines criteria to create Special Access Programs (SAP) to allow access to multispecies stocks that are in good condition or to target non-multispecies stocks that can be harvested without affecting stocks of concern (stocks that are overfished or where is occurring). Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a multispecies stock for which overfishing is not occurring (GARM, 2005), and therefore may be eligible for establishment of a SAP.

At the February 25, 2004 meeting of the NEFMC Groundfish Advisory Panel, a Special Access Program was recommended for a limited 6-inch gillnet only fishery for Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock. However, the NEMFC Groundfish Committee recommended testing of 6-inch gillnets to determine the effectiveness of the catch of haddock and the bycatch of cod. This gillnet selectivity study was proposed and undertaken to address the concerns raised by the NEMFC Groundfish Committee.

The specific objectives of the project were to:

• Document catch compositions of haddock and other groundfish caught in gillnets of a range of mesh sizes. • Suggest optimum mesh size to maximize gear selectivity for haddock and reduce bycatch of multispecies stocks of concern, based upon observed selectivity curves.

The gillnet fishery has historically been an important sector of the nearshore New England groundfish fleet. In 2000, roughly 379 groundfish vessels reported using sink gillnets as their principal gear. These vessels landed approximately 12,653,000 pounds of groundfish, which represents 14% of total groundfish landings (NEFMC, 2002). The sink gillnet fishery is concentrated in the Gulf of Maine and is comprised primarily of small, day-trip vessels. Between 1995 and 2001, sink gillnets were used in the Gulf of Maine more than any other New England sub-region. Analysis in the Amendment 13 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement shows that gillnet trips were most common in coastal waters in the southwestern portion of the GOM, with some trips reported offshore in the central portion of the Gulf. These vessels consistently use approximately 75% of their allocated multspecies DAS. In addition, the percentage of active gillnet vessels relative to the total number of permitted gillnet vessels is consistently high (NEFMC, 2003). As a primarily nearshore fishery, the New England gillnet fleet has been heavily impacted by the restrictions placed on multispecies permit holders over the last several years because of limited mobility. Whereas larger vessels have been able to move 4 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine offshore to fish in open areas, the gillnet fishery has limited options. The establishment of a SAP for the gillnet fishery would provide a new option to this struggling fleet sector.

Approach

Dayboat gillnet fishermen with experience targeting haddock were interviewed to characterize the gear typically used in the inshore of the Gulf of Maine. The resulting information was used to design the experimental nets to be quite close to the stand-up sink gillnets fished commercially in the part of the Gulf of Maine where sea trials were conducted.

Nets were specified to be constructed with mesh sizes ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 inches (114 to 165 mm) in 0.5 inch (13 mm) increments. Conversations with gillnet fishermen indicated 6.0 inches was the most common mesh size for targeting haddock prior to the implementation of 6.5 inch minimum mesh size in the Gulf of Maine. Heights of nets were specifed to be 9 ft (2.75 meters), about two- thirds the height of standard gillnets used in the Gulf of Maine. It was suggested that using shorter gillnets might reduce the amount of bycatch. Each net was of a single continuous web of consistent mesh size, and was approximately 90 meters in length.

Nets were constructed by Homeward Bound, Inc., Gloucester, MA. The webbing was specified to be 12 gauge (0.6 mm) clear monofilament, in mesh sizes of 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5 inches (114, 127, 140, 152, 165 millimeters) with a vertical hanging ratio of 1:1 and horizontal hanging ratio of 1:2. Floatlines and endlines were constructed of 9.6 mm braided polypropylene. Flotation was provided by hard plastic floats providing 4.3 oz of buoyancy each. Floats (47-50 per net) were spaced evenly on the floatline of each net. The leadline was constructed of a leadcore line 9 mm in diameter, with an average weight of 164.3 grams per meter. Thus each net had approximately 15 kilograms of leadline (dry weight).

Determination of fishing effort required measuring all gillnets. Delays in permitting impacted the delivery date of the nets, and as a result only a limited number of measurements were taken prior to deployment (total length, height at each end, number of floats). After sea trials, a comprehensive set of measurements were made of each net. These measurements included:

• Diameter of leadline; floatline; and twine • Floatline and leadline length (under 20 kg tension) • Height at each end (under 20 kg tension) • Number of floats • Number of meshes along floatline and leadline • Number of vertical meshes at each end • Inside stretched mesh size (27 vertical and 27 horizontal measurements for each net)

Measurements were taken with a meter stick, measuring tape, or calipers. Results are presented in the findings section and data sheets for all measurements are provided as an attachment to this report. 5 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Dukane Netmark 1000 acoustic pingers were threaded onto the lines separating the floatlines of each panel, and onto the line leading from the end panels to the highflier buoys. The Netmark 1000 emits a 10-12 kHz signal for 0.3 seconds every 3-4 seconds (Trippel et al. 1999). Participants in the Gulf of Maine gillnet fishery are required to use acoustic pingers to reduce the likelihood of harbor porpoise entanglement. No marine mammals were observed during the period of this project, and there was no evidence of entanglement when the nets were retrieved.

Nets were tied end-to-end to form six strings of five nets each, with a 2 meter break between each net in order to reduce the chance of the small mesh panels leading fish to the larger mesh ones where they would become entangled. Each string contained one net of each mesh size. The strings were designated a letter from A to F. The order of nets within strings A-E was constant and was arranged to place each mesh size at the end of a string an equal number of times, and to place each mesh size next to every other mesh size an equal number of times (Table 1). The order of nets in string F was changed with each set, again controlled to place each mesh size at the ends of the strings equal times, and place each mesh size equally next to every other mesh size (Table 2). Table 1: String-by-string arrangement of mesh sizes for five strings String Mesh Size (inches) A 5.0 6.5 4.5 5.5 6.0 B 5.5 6.0 6.5 4.5 5.0 C 6.0 4.5 5.5 5.0 6.5 D 4.5 5.0 6.0 6.5 5.5 E 6.5 5.5 5.0 6.0 4.5

Table 2: Set-by-set rotation of mesh sizes within one string (F) Set # Order of Mesh Sizes 1 6.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 4.5 2 5.0 4.5 6.0 5.5 6.5 3 5.5 6.5 5.0 4.5 6.0 4 6.5 5.0 4.5 6.0 5.5 5 4.5 6.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 6 5.0 4.5 6.0 5.5 6.5 7 6.5 5.0 4.5 6.0 5.5 8 4.5 6.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 9 6.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 4.5 10 5.5 6.5 5.0 4.5 6.0 11 5.0 4.5 6.0 5.5 6.5 12 6.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 4.5 13 4.5 6.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 14 6.5 5.0 4.5 6.0 5.5

6 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Strings were anchored at both ends, 25-30 fathoms (45-55 meters) from the ends of each string, using 40 lb (18 kg) Danforth anchors. Highflier buoys were tied to the floatline at either end, with sufficient line that the buoys did not pull up on the ends of the strings.

Operational and environmental data were recorded by GMRI or DMF sea samplers on a set-by-set basis using modified NMFS Northeast Center (NEFSC) protocols and forms. Species composition and weights of all catch were recorded. Lengths of cod, haddock, pollock and flatfish species were recorded to the nearest centimeter in 0.5 cm increments. Initially, total length was recorded for cod, haddock and pollock. After several sets, fork lengths were back-calculated for previous measurements (Cohen et al. 1990, cited at www..org, Booth and Isted 1996) and measured and recorded for new measurements for haddock and pollock. Girths were collected for cod, haddock, and pollock, using a custom-built device derived from a concept from Mentjes and Panten (2000).

Sub-sampling was necessary on large sets. In those cases, only lengths of fish were collected and not weights. Weights were back calculated from length frequencies using a length-weight regression spreadsheet program to estimate the total weight of catch per haul. Girth measurements were likewise sub-sampled when catches were too large.

Set locations and durations were also recorded, along with weather and additional data. Temperature loggers made by Onset Computer Inc. were placed on the floatline of each set and were configured to record temperatures once every two minutes.

Selectivity Analysis

The analytical approach follows standard methods as described by Madsen et. al (1999), Moth- Poulsen (2003), and Fonseca et al. (2005). The theoretical basis for the analysis of gillnet selectivity using multiple mesh sizes has been well-explored, beginning with Baranov (1948, cited in Hamley 1975). A number of assumptions must be made concerning the distribution of fish exposed to the gillnets (Millar and Fryer 1999). Of crucial importance is the recognition that the resulting selectivity curves are more accurately defined as the “contact-selection” curves, the probability that a particular-sized fish is captured, given that it contacts the gillnet.

The combination of assumptions allows use of maximum likelihood to fit selection curves with the SELECT method (Millar and Fryer, 1999). SELECT uses the proportion of the total catch taken by each gear. Using proprietary software (GillNet, www.constat.dk) that implements the SELECT method, four unimodal (normal scale, normal location, lognormal, and gamma) and one bimodal curve (a mixture of two normal curves) were fit to individual gillnet hauls with >10 individuals caught (if any), and to the lengths pooled over all catches. The curves could be adjusted for unequal effort. The curve that converged and that resulted in the lowest model deviance was defined as the best-fit.

7 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Residual maximum likelihood (REML) was used next to estimate a mean selection curve from the curves fit to individual hauls, thus incorporating between-haul variation (Fryer, 1991). The REML method was implemented with propriety software (ECWEB, www.constat.dk) that allows fitting of the same five types of curves to the combined individual curves. The resulting mean curve was selected by the lowest deviance. It was then visually compared to the curve fit to the pooled data.

Effort, defined for this experiment, was defined as equal soak times and surface area for each mesh size. Soak times were equalized by combining mesh sizes in six strings of five nets, with one mesh size each per string. Order in strings was controlled to counter any “end effect”, which results from fish encountering the nets on either end of the string first. Surface area was equalized by fixing the net height and altering the number of meshes, and by fixing net length.

Project Management

Work was carried out by the crew of F/V Hard Merchandise and scientists at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Crew of F/V Hard Merchandise primarily included Captain David Marciano and 1st Mate Pete Shoares. Gulf of Maine Research Institute employees included Laura Singer, Shale Rosen, and Catherine Salerno. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries employees included Michael Pol, Mark Szymanski, R.J.A. MacFarlan, and Brian Kelly. Thomas Moth-Poulsen, identified as Principal Investigator on the project proposal, assisted with initial design of the study and specification of nets but left the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries in late 2004. Michael Pol stepped into the role of Principal Investigator and led the technical and analytical aspects of the project.

Findings

Composition of Catch and Bycatch

Fourteen days of fishing were conducted with 10 days between 17-31 March and four between 21-29 May 2005. Permitting restrictions led to the gap between periods. An average of four of the strings was set each day to limit cod bycatch. Soak times ranged from 80 minutes to almost 8 hours, with a mean soak of 3.5 hrs. Depths fished ranged from 55-190 m with an average depth of 113 m. Set locations were entirely within the WGOM closure, across the western two-thirds of the entire area covered by the EFP (Figure 1).

8 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Figure 1: Set locations for gillnet selectivity project in the Western Gulf of Maine Closure. Permit area shown in purple. Depth intervals are 50 meters.

Temperature loggers were placed on the floatlines of all six nets for the first part of the experiment in March. This would have positioned them at approximately three meters off bottom. Mean temperature overall while nets were on bottom was 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a range in the mean temperature for individual nets from 3.5-5.5 °C (38-42 °F). On three days differences in mean temperatures between strings exceeded 1 °C (1.8 °F), with a maximum difference of 1.6 °C.

Catches of cod, haddock, and pollock were spotty, sometimes occurring in just one or two nets per string. Approximately 25% of nets were empty. Fourteen days of fishing resulted in the capture of 71 haddock, ranged from 38-62 cm fork length (FL). Overall, 264 cod were measured during the experiment. Sizes (TL) ranged from 46 to 113 cm. Pollock were the most abundant gadid caught during the experiment with measurements from 873 individuals. Most (> 200 pollock) were caught in each of the three smaller mesh sizes, with the least fish (61) caught in the 6.5 in mesh. Sizes (FL) ranged from 42-87 cm. A total of 2032 lb of other species were caught during the experiment, from 14 taxa. Only one species, spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias, was caught in amounts greater than 40 lb (Table B2). Nearly 1230 lb of dogfish were netted, with 36 lb of cusk Brosme brosme the next highest bycatch.

9 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Table 3: Bycatch species and amounts Common name Scientific name Total Weight (lb) Total Weight (kg) Spiny Dogfish Squalus ancanthias 1928.0 876.4 Cusk Brosme brosme 36.0 16.4 Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 19.0 8.6 White Hake Urophycis tenuis 12.0 5.5 Monkfish Lophius americanus 8.0 3.6 American Shad Alosa sapidissima 5.0 2.3 Lobster Homarus americanus 5.0 2.3 Silver Hake Merluccius bilinearis 5.0 2.3 Smooth Skate Malacoraja senta 4.0 1.8 Stone Crab Lithodes maja 4.0 1.8 American Plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 3.0 1.4 Hagfish Myxine glutinosa 2.0 0.9 Sea Cucumber Class Holothuroidea 1.0 0.5 Sea Scallop Placopecten magellanicus 0.1 0.0 Total 2032.1 923.7

Verification of Net Measurements

The measurements of the gillnets after the experiment indicated that the nets did not meet specifications and were not uniform in size (Table 4). Average mesh sizes were within 5 mm of nominal sizes, and were accurate, with little or no variation between meshes. Net height (and consequently, the vertical hanging ratio) varied significantly. For example, the average height of the 6.0-in mesh nets was 17 cm greater than the next net height. Similarly, net length also showed large differences, with the largest mesh nets nearly 3 meters longer than the smallest mesh nets.

Table 4: Nominal and post-experimental measurements of gillnets. Reported values are means ± standard error (Standard deviation/sqrt(# observations))

Inside mesh size (mm) Height Length Nominal Measured Meshes Centimeters Meshes Floatline (m) Leadline (m) 114 (4.5 in) 112.1 ± 0.2 29.5 228.00 ± 2.77 1627.0 ± 2.5 89.8 ± 0.2 90.2 ± 0.2 127 (5.0 in) 124.6 ± 0.1 26.5 278.80 ± 6.11 1460.0 ± 6.6 89.9 ± 0.3 90.5 ± 0.4 140 (5.5 in) 137.3 ± 0.0 24.5 273.80 ± 2.99 1331.0 ± 1.4 91.8 ± 0.5 92.2 ± 0.4 152 (6.0 in) 151.1 ± 0.0 22.5 295.90 ± 3.83 1216.0 ± 2.2 91.7 ± 0.3 91.8 ± 0.2 165 (6.5 in) 160.8 ± 0.0 20.5 241.30 ± 5.33 1115.0 ± 4.7 92.4 ± 0.5 93.1 ± 0.5

The surface area (length x height) was determined for each individual net, and used as a measure of fishing effort. (Effort was otherwise equalized by the presence of one of each mesh size in each string.) The selectivity analysis was conducted using the normalized surface area of each individual net; when pooling data across sets, a weighted average effort was computed, based on the frequency that each net was fished.

10 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Selectivity Analysis

Haddock

Fourteen days of fishing resulted in the capture of 71 haddock. Fork lengths ranged from 38-62 cm. Sixty-eight fish (96%) were caught in the three smallest mesh sizes. Seventy girth measurements were collected, and fit to a straight line (girth = 0.40*TL + 6.88, r2 = 0.54). The fit of the data to the line is not particularly good, but there are no indications of patterned variation, which might suggest more than one population of fish was sampled.

All lengths were pooled by mesh size and were curve fit, with the lowest model deviance provided by the lognormal (mean = 3.96, variance = 0.14, deviance = 70.27, df = 98, p = 0.98) (Table 5). The resulting modal sizes for 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch mesh sizes for haddock were 52, 58, 64, 69, and 75 cm fork length respectively (Figure 2). Minimum landing size of haddock during the experiment was 19 inches (48.3 cm), equivalent to a converted fork length of 40.3 cm (Cohen et al. 1990, cited at www.fishbase.org).

Pooling of lengths across all sets was necessary due to the small catches. Pooling incorporates between-haul variation, typically resulting in wider spreads of the selectivity curves. Also, the lack of data points in the larger mesh sizes resulted in large, increasing, positive residuals in the 6.0 and 6.5 inch mesh sizes. Nevertheless, the deviance to degrees of freedom ratio is less than one, an indicator of an overall good fit. However, 71 observations are very few to calculate selectivity curves from.

Notably, the modal size for the smallest mesh, 52 cm FL, is substantially larger than the minimum landing size of 40.3 cm FL; the minimum legal mesh size of 6.5 inches has a modal size of 75 cm FL. For comparison, the largest haddock taken on 54 NEFSC bottom trawl cruises from 1963-1986 was 98 cm TL (82 cm FL) (Colette and Klein-MacPhee 2002); the largest haddock ever taken in the 25-year DMF trawl survey was 74 cm FL (DMF, unpublished data) . The use of 4.5 inch mesh would, according to our data, result in an L25 of 52 cm FL (12 cm larger than legal size).Although our sample size was small, these results indicate that current minimum mesh sizes are a mismatch for targeting haddock.

11 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

1.2

4.5

1 5

5.5

0.8 6

6.5 0.6 Retention Probability Retention

0.4

0.2

0 33 43 53 63 73 83 93 Fork Length (cm)

Figure 2: Haddock lognormal retention curves for five mesh sizes. All lengths were pooled. Arrow indicates minimum landing size, converted to fork length.

Cod

It was decided to continue selectivity analysis for two other species of interest: cod and pollock. Overall, 264 cod were measured during the experiment. Two hundred and seven girth measurements were collected, and fit to a straight line (girth = -3.35 + 0.55*TL, r2 = 0.84). The good fit of these data also indicates that only one population was sampled, and bolsters the validity of the selectivity results.

Lengths (TL) ranged from 46 to 113 cm; both of these fish were caught in the 4.5 in mesh. In general, cod exhibited less size-to-mesh specificity than haddock, and were captured often in non-gilled ways, on maxillae, for example. Pooled lengths for each mesh size were curve fit, and the bimodal curve, consisting of two summed normal distributions, presented the best fit overall (parameters: a1 = 11.79, b1 = 0.816, a2 = 20.82, b2 = 4.37, w = 2.28, deviance = 215.74, df = 207, p = 0.3241) (Table 5). The first modal sizes for 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 in mesh sizes for cod was 53, 59, 64, 71, and 76 cm respectively (Figure 3). Minimum landing size of cod during the experiment was 55.9 cm.

Pooling of cod lengths was necessary due to the small sample sizes in individual hauls. On only one day were more than 11 cod caught in more than one panel in a string. Residuals were large in both directions, except for the 5.5 inch mesh, which were predominately positive. The deviance to degrees of freedom ratio is greater than one, an indicator of a poor overall fit, or overdispersion in the data. 12 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

1.2

1 4.5

0.8 5.0

0.6 5.5 0.4 6.0 Retention Probability 0.2 6.5 0 33 53 73 93 113 133 153 173 193 213 Total Length (cm)

Figure 3: Bimodal retention curves for Atlantic cod for five mesh sizes. All lengths were pooled. Arrow indicates minimum landing size.

The bimodal curve has recently been found to provide the best fit across several studies (Madsen et. al 1999, Moth-Poulsen 2003, Fonseca et al. 2005). The bimodal curve implies that the relationship between girth, length, and retention probability is not just due to gilling or meshing; it incorporates other forms of entanglement. In this experiment, cod seemed most vulnerable to alternate forms of entanglement. For example, the minimum and maximum sizes caught by each individual mesh size do not differ much from each other.

The data from this experiment suggest that a minimum mesh size of 6.5 inches is mismatched to the cod minimum landing size, and that a mesh size of 5.5 inches would result in a primary L25 of 59 cm (3 cm greater than minimum landing size).

Usually, the secondary modes of the bimodal distribution are not meaningful to management, which traditionally has been more concerned with catches of small cod. Recent management thinking has suggested that larger cod should be protected as they are the most effective spawners, and may teach younger cod migration routes to spawning grounds. For this reason, the secondary modes may be of interest to managers in creating slot limits (minimum and maximum retention lengths). It should also be pointed out that the bimodal curve has the disadvantage of requiring five parameters to define it, an increase in complexity from other two-parameter models.

13 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Pollock

Pollock were the most abundant gadid caught during the experiment with measurements from 873 individuals. Over 200 fish were caught in each of the three smaller mesh sizes, with the least fish (61) caught in the 6.5 in mesh. Girth measurements were collected from 264 pollock, and fit to a straight line (girth = 5.67 + 0.41*TL, r2 = 0.65). These data also did not show any residual pattern that indicated either a non-linear fit or separate groups of fish.

Sizes (FL) ranged from 42-87 cm. Nine sets resulted in catches of pollock that appeared adequate for curve-fitting: all six strings on 18 March 2005; two on 27 March; one on 21 May. However, three of these data sets could not be curve-fitted. The remaining six (all from 18 March) were individually fit. The bimodal curves for each individual set provided the best fit. The REML analysis then fit a bimodal curve to those six individual curves (parameters: a1 = 11.42, b1 = 12.33, a2 = 0.55, b2 = 1.133, w = 1.39, df = 20) (Table 5). The first modal sizes for 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 in mesh sizes for pollock was 52, 58, 64, 70 and 76 cm respectively (Figure 4). Minimum landing size of pollock during the experiment was 42.5 cm FL. Allowing use of 4.5 inch mesh would, according to our data, result in an L25 of 52 cm FL (9 cm greater than legal size).

1.2

1 4.5

5.0 0.8 5.5

6.0 0.6

6.5 Retention ProbabilityRetention 0.4

0.2

0 33 43 53 63 73 83 93 103 113 123 Fork Length (cm)

Figure 4: Pollock bimodal retention curves for five mesh sizes. Curves were derived from REML analysis of five individual sets. Arrow indicates minimum landing size, converted to fork length.

14 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Comparison of the analysis of the pooled lengths for pollock (parameters: a1 = 11.78, b1 = 16.52, a2 = 0.80, b2 = 3.88, w = 0.68, deviance = 214.5, df = 175, p = 0.0225) indicated that the primary mode was not noticeably different than the REML results. However, the deviance-to- degrees-of-freedom ratio is greater than one, indicating overdispersion in the model. Also, the secondary modes of the pooled vs. unpooled data were far different, although this mode is of less interest to managers. The similarity of the primary mode including and excluding between-haul variation suggests that this mode is more reflective of reality than the secondary modes of either model.

Table 5: Summary statistics for gillnet selectivity data Catch Data – Lengths (cm) Model Results First Modal Mesh Size (in) No Min Max Avg Size Haddock 4.5 38 38 59 46.9 52 5.0 20 43 61 50.5 58 5.5 10 45 62 53.4 64 6.0 1 54 54 54.0 69 6.5 2 54 59 56.5 75 Total 71 Atl. Cod 4.5 76 46 113 68.1 53 5.0 84 50 102 69.0 59 5.5 28 50 89 69.6 65 6.0 47 50 104 72.9 71 6.5 29 68 101 78.8 77 Total 264 Pollock 4.5 207 42 85 58.1 52 5.0 307 50 81 60.3 58 5.5 215 53 84 62.5 64 6.0 83 51 81 65.7 70 6.5 61 50 87 63.5 76 Total 873

Observations on gillnet mesh size and size of fish caught

Modal sizes from model analysis indicates 6.5 inch minimum mesh size for gillnets is a mismatch with current minimum landing size requirements for the three species analyzed (haddock, cod and pollock). 6.5 inch mesh appears to be far larger than necessary to achieve conservation goals with respect to retention of sub-legal sized fish. Results from this study indicate a mesh size of 5.0 inches will result in an L25 of just larger than legal sized cod, and mesh sizes as small as 4.5 inches will result in an L25 of legal sized haddock and pollock. The small numbers of fish caught probably make a regulatory change based upon this study alone unwise, however it appears that a more comprehensive study and possibly regulatory changes are 15 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine warranted to treat the gillnet sector in a manner consistent with other gear types. Significant Problems Encountered

Delays in issuance of the necessary Exempted Fishery Permits (EFP) hindered the project on both start and end dates for sea trials. The EFP was required because the experiment used mesh sizes smaller than permitted under the Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (MFMP), and because access was sought to the Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) closure. Small meshes were necessary to determine the selectivity curves, and because it was theorized that the current minimum mesh size for gillnets (6.5-in) was too large to effectively target haddock. The access to the WGOM was requested due to historical catches of haddock.

Preparations for sea trials were put behind schedule by delays in issuance of the initial permit, as the project partners were unable to order nets until early December when they knew what net design (including mesh size range) would be approved by the regional permitting office. Nets were ultimately delivered 11 March 2005.

The exempted fishery permit that was secured in mid-December 2004 did not allow access to the study area during the month of April 2005, which combined by the late delivery of the nets compressed the survey schedule into the latter part of March 2005. Realizing that it was unlikely the entire 14 days of sea trials could be carried out in remaining days of March after the nets arrived, a request for an extension of the EFP for the month of April 2005, then May 2005 was initiated 8 March. The extension was not ultimately granted until 19 May 2005.

Communications with participants in the hook and sport fisheries indicated haddock may have been in the study area in significant numbers during the month of April (when access was denied by the original EFP) and early May, before the extension was granted. The lack of adequate numbers of haddock prevented the development of robust selectivity curves for that species, thus failing to fulfill one of the objectives of the project.

The experimenters bear some of the responsibility for being unable to find adequate haddock and not avoiding cod. Conducting gear experiments in closed areas seemed like a good idea, for the same reason that banks are robbed – it is where the fish (or money) is. However, gaining access for one vessel to an area that has not been fished for some time is not as advantageous as it might seem. In the case of this experiment, without other fishermen to provide information on concentration of haddock, a patchily distributed species, (or help in avoiding cod) time and energy was necessarily spent on attempts to survey the area for haddock. Unfortunately, large concentrations of haddock were not found during the permitted time period, and the resulting selectivity curves, determined from 71 haddock, must be used with caution.

The conditions of the EFP may also have hindered the success of the project. The EFP included a 2000-lb limit on cod catch. This limitation seemed reasonable as a check against either catches of small cod in the small mesh, or large catches of legal cod. However, the catch allowance, less than 18% of the landable amounts of cod under “A” days-at-sea allowed to the vessel under 16 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine ordinary fishing, became the limiting factor in the amount of experimental days that could be accomplished.

In retrospect, several observations are clear. The permitting process understandably tries to restrict unwanted impacts from the experiment by limiting the accessible area, the length of the experiment, and the amount of bycatch. However, these limitations also reduce the ability of the experimenters to find fish, and therefore decrease the probability of success of the experiment. The combination of an unfamiliar area, and the limit on cod catch contributed to the inability to meet the objective of haddock catches.

Additional Work

The proportion of cod caught relative to haddock was an obvious disappointment. It was observed that the majority of cod were caught in the bottommost meshes of the gillnets, within 2 ½ feet of the leadline. This observation led Shoares and Marciano to propose a gillnet design that eliminates the meshes within 30 inches of the lead line, replacing them with a zig/zag “norsel” line attaching the lead line to the rest of the gillnet (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Experimental gillnet design with "norsel" line

The theory behind this design is that cod will pass through gaps in the norsel lines, while species that occur higher in the (including haddock and pollock) will be caught higher in the net where there are meshes. Nets of similar design were tested in Norway in 1999 and 2001 and were found to be practical for use in a commercial fishery (Godø et al 2003).

Marciano, Shoares, Rosen, Pol, and Spice Montgomery (an additional Gloucester-based gillnet fisherman) submitted a successful proposal to the Northeast Consortium’s Project Development 17 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Award program for construction of the gear and a limited amount of sea trials. The nets will be constructed and trialled in fall 2006 during the traditional pollock fishery.

These nets (if successful in reducing bycatch of cod), or more liberal permit conditions, will allow another attempt to determine the size-selectivity curves of haddock for management purposes and the viability of a haddock gillnet SAP.

Evaluation

The Significant Problems section describes how the lack of haddock hampered the project goals and objectives. Greater than predicted catches of cod and pollock allowed analysis of selectivity curves of those species, although this was not an original project goal.

Project results were presented in a talk at the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting 2005 in Anchorage, Alaska. The presentation was made by Michael Pol as part of the Symposium on Selectivity and Catch Performance of Commercial and Survey Gears.

The size-selectivity data will be delivered to the New England Fishery Management Council following acceptance of this report and review by the Research Steering Committee.

Finally, following appropriate review, a decision will be made by the participants on submittal of a revised manuscript to a peer-reviewed scientific journal, such as Fisheries Science, or Fishery Bulletin.

Literature Cited

Booth, A.J. and Isted, E.D. 1996. Comparison of methods used to convert length-frequency data. Fish. Res. 29:271-276

Fishbase, Fishbase Consortium. 29 March 2005. http://www.fishbase.org

Collete, B.B. and Klein-MacPhee, G. 2002. Bigelow and Schroeder s of the Gulf of Maine, 3rd edn. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC

Fonseca, P., Martins, R., Campos, A., and Sobral, P. 2005. Gill-net selectivity off the Portuguese western coast. Fish. Res. 73:323-339.

Fryer, R.J. 1991. A model of between-haul variation in selectivity. ICES J. Mar. Sci. 48, 281-290

Godøy, Hallvard, Dag Furevik and Svein Løkkeborg (2003). Reduced bycatch of red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in the gillnet fishery for cod (Gadus morhua) in northern Norway. Fisheries Research 62 (2003) 377-384.

18 Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine

Groundfish Assesment Review Meeting 2005. Assessment of 20 Northeast Groundfish Stocks through 2004. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/crd/crd0513/

Hamley, J.H. 1975. Review of gillnet selectivity. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 32: 1943–1969.

Madsen, N., Holst, R., Wileman, D., and Moth-Poulsen, T. 1999. Size selectivity of sole gill nets fished in the North Sea. Fish Res. 44:59-73.

Mentjes, T., and Panten, K. 2000. Relative size and girth selectivity of cod gillnets in the western Baltic. ICES CM 2000/J:12.

Millar, R. B. and Fryer, R. J. 1999. Estimating the size-selection curves of towed gears, traps, nets, and hooks. Rev. Fish. Biol. 9:89-116.

Moth-Poulsen, T. 2003. Seasonal variations in selectivity of plaice trammel nets. Fish. Res. 61:87-94.

New England Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service. December 18, 2003. Final Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.

New England Fishery Management Council. 2002. Frequently Asked Questions about the Groundfish Fishery. http://www.nefmc.org/nemulti/faqs/gf_facts.PDF

Trippel, E.A., Strong, M.B., Terhune, J.M and Conway, J.D. 1999. Mitigation of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) by-catch in the gillnet fishery in the lower Bay of Fundy. Can. J. Fish Aquat. Sci. 56: 113–123.

Submitted

______December 6, 2005 Laura Taylor Singer, Project Coordinator

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f ' . '-, 't" - Testing the Selectivity of Gillnets to Target Haddock in the Gulf of Maine f UniquelD Unique number assigned to column to preserve oder Trip ID Unique number assigned to each trip Vessel Vessel name Nets were assigned to a string; Each string was assigned a letter from A to F; nets stayed Gear # in th6 same string for ihe exp€riment; only string F was reananged Haul # Sequential number indicating haul order for a trip Each column includes dala for this mesh size panel within the string. Panels with no catch Mesh Size are not rsportgd Set Beg Lat Latitude at beginning of the setting of th€ string Set Beg Lon Longitud€ at beginning of the setting of the stting set Beg Time Time when setting began Haul End Lat Latitude at tho end of hauling of the string Haul End Lon Longitude at end of the hauling of the stdng Haul End Time Time \ivhen setting began, Depth Haul (fm) Depth of water under boat when gear hauling began Duration (h) Haul end time minus set begin time Catch (lb) Pollock LB caught (all sizes) qgd LB caught (all sizes) Ha&lock LB caught (all sizes) Other LB caught (allsizes) TesUng lho s€reclivily ol Gillnors ro Tre€l Haddo.l( in th6 Gutt ot Maino

rrio lD tssq__ E

6,5 4.5 5.( 42 41 1241,78 42 41,7t 1212_41 42 42.5 70 13

70 06.93 70 05.55

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