At-sea Observer Program OPERATIONS MANUAL -\1 \n■ r,11 Peches Fisheries 1+1 et Oceans and Oceans L. 4. b 0·· 16"- I:J.r· (1>a.viJ k~~.Lice).) =t=f:;J..- ~0 6 8 Observer Operations Manual A Training Aid and Field Reference Joseph Hanrahan Doris J. Melindy Illustrated by: J. Vincent Pelrine National At-sea Fisheries Observer Program Department of Fisheries and Oceans Ottawa, Canada 1997 Foreword The topics included in this manual are based on the required knowledge and skills set out in the National Course Training Standard (CTS) and the National Standards for Observer Training in Canada. The purpose of this manual is to aid in training and to provide a reference during Observer deployments. As a training aid, this manual supports the development of concepts that are fundamental to thoroughly understanding and effectively performing the job. It is written holistically whereby relationships between ideas, content and Observer duties are identified and described. Also, the Observer's perspective and particular relevance to fisheries management is emphasized. In addition to initial training this manual contributes to ongoing learning and the professional development of Observers throughout their careers. As an at-sea reference, this manual is a resource that is readily accessible. It is a practical guide for carrying out all aspects of the job on a daily basis, but can also be used as a refreshing tool when long periods of time has elapsed between deployments of a similar nature. This manual provides recommendations and advice based on experience, that enables Observers to fulfill their duties in the most competent and professional manner possible. In addition, it stresses the importance of collecting quality data and promotes the role of this profession in fisheries management. In addition to this manual, there are specialized training and deployment materials which provide Observers with details of fisheries being covered, management regimes in place and data collection requirements. This manual is in the care and responsibility of the Observer and must be carried on all assignments. Ben Rogers Chief, Observer Program Newfoundland Region Acknowledgments In addition to the authors who worked full-time in preparing this document there was support, contributions, insight, and recommendations from other noteworthy individuals. This includes those who contributed information directly or who assisted in editing of the conteJ?t for accuracy. These include: Ben Rogers, John Chounaird, Ron Manderson, Maurice Jean, France Henry, Shawn Stebbins, Ken Derkson, Dave Kulka, Mark Showell, Paula Hanrahan, Brian Donahue, Bryan Wood, Kevin Anderson, Wayne Evans, Employees of Observer Contractors: Seawatch Inc- NF, Biorex Inc- NS/ NB/QC, Javitech Ltd- NS, Archipelago Marine Research Ltd- BC. In particular the authors wish to thank Carolyn Gravel-Miri and Joe Firth for great assistance and advice with Unit 6: Catch and Effort. Table of Contents Unit 1: Acts and Regulations . 11 1.1 Overview of Acts and Regulations . • . 12 Definitions ...........................................· . 12 Canadian Acts and Regulations . 13 Positions of Authority . 15 1.2 Structural Organization of Fisheries Regulations . 16 1.3 Referencing Acts & Regulations . 17 1.4 Relevance of Regulations to Observers . 18 Designation of ObseNers . 18 Duties of ObseNers . 18 Rights of ObseNers . 19 ObseNers and Regulatory measures ................................ 20 1.5 Amendment Process . 20 Amendment of Acts and Regualtions ................................ 20 Unit 2: Fisheries Management . 23 2.1 Necessity of Fisheries Management . 24 2.2 The objectives of Fisheries Management . 24 Biological goal ............................................... 25 Economical goal ................................................ 26 Sociological goal ............................................... 26 2.3 Regulatory measures . .. 27 Catch Quota ................................................... 28 Closed Times & Areas ........................................... 29 Bycatch Restrictions ............................................ 29 Minimum Size ................................................. 30 Gear Restrictions ..............................................• 30 2.4 Licenses . 32 Conditions of Licence ............................................ 32 Licence Amendments ........................................... 33 2.5 Management and Conservation Harvesting Plans . 33 Unit 3 : Fishing .Gear . 35 3.1 Trawl Nets . 36 Bottom Otter Trawl .............................................. 36 Shrimp Trawl .................................................. 42 Midwater Trawl ................................................ 42 Twin and Trouser Trawls ......................................... 43 Pair Trawling .................................................. 44 Danish/Scottish Seine ........................................... 45 Beam Trawl ................................................... 47 Trawl Net Attachments and Modifications ............................ 49 Trawl Net Mesh ...................................... ·.......... 57 3.2 Longlines . 61 Gear construction .............................................. 61 Gear Deployment ............................................... 65 Method of Capture .............................................. 66 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 66 Conservation Features .............•............................. 66 3.3 Gillnets . 67 Gear Construction .............................................. 67 Method of Capture .............................................. 69 Gear Retrieval . 70 Conservation Features ........................................... 70 3.4 Purse Seining . 72 Gear Construction .............................................. 72 Gear Deployment ............................................... 72 Method of Capture .............................................. 72 Gear Retrieval . 73 Conservation Features ........................................... 73 3.5 Trap Nets . 7 4 Gear Construction .................................... ·.......... 74 Gear Deployment ............................................... 74 Gear Operations ............................................... 75 Gear Retrieval ............ ; . 75 Conservation Features . 75 3.6 Weirs . 76 Gear Construction . 76 Gear Deployment ............................................... 76 Method of Capture .............................................. 77 Gear Retrieval . 77 Conservation Features . 77 3. 7 Tended Lines . 78 Gear Construction . 78 Gear Deployment ............................................... 78 Method of Capture .............................................. 79 Gear Retrieval . 79 Conservation Features . 79 3.8 Harpoons .... II • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 80 Gear Construction .............................................. 80 Gear Deployment ............................................... 80 Method of Capture .............................................. 81 Gear Retrieval ....................................... ·.......... 81 Conservation Features . .......................................... 81 3.9 Jigging . 82 Gear Construction .............................................. 82 Gear Deployment ............................................... 82 Method of Capture .............................................. 82 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 83 Conservation Features ........................................... 83 3.10 Trolling . 84 Gear Construction .............................................. 84 Gear Deployment ............................................... 84 Gear Operations ............................................... 85 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 85 Conservation Features ........................................... 85 3.11 Crab Traps . 86 Gear Construction .............................................. 86 Gear Deployment ............................................... 87 Method of Capture .............................................. 87 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 87 Conservation Features ........................................... 88 3.12 Sablefish Trap . 90 Gear Construction .............................................. 90 Gear Deployment ............................................... 91 Method of Capture .............................................. 91 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 91 Conservation Features ........................................... 91 3.13 Lobster Traps . 92 Gear Construction .............................................. 92 Gear Deployment ............................................... 92 Method of Capture .............................................. 93 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 93 Conservation Features ........................................... 93 3.14 Scallop Rakes . 94 Gear Construction .............................................. 94 Gear Deployment ............................................... 94 Method of capture .............................................. 95 Gear Retrieval ................................................. 95 Conservation Features ........................................... 95 3.15 Clam Dredge . 96 Gear Construction ............................................... 96 Gear Deployment ............................................... 96 Method of Capture .............................................