Science Response 2012/015

Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Reduce Yellowtail Flounder By-catch on Georges Bank in 2012

Context

An area of Georges Bank, approximately 100 nautical miles², was closed to the offshore scallop fishery during June 2011 to reduce yellowtail flounder by-catch.  The closure area was determined following a review of yellowtail flounder distribution, particularly at spawning time via observed groundfish trips from the otter trawl fleet  (2005–2010) and observed scallop fishing trips on Georges Bank  (2001–2010, except 2003). Temporal trends in the distribution of the offshore scallop fishery between 1997 and 2010 were also considered.

This report provides an update to the 2011 report (DFO, 2011) on the scallop fishery area/time closure to reduce yellowtail flounder by-catch on Georges Bank.  This report considers the combined 2011 observed by-catch and directed fishery data (three directed trips in total: two in September and one in October) from the groundfish otter-trawl fishery in 5ZEj and 5ZEm, along with observed by-catch from the scallop fishery.  The spatial distribution of the scallop fishery in 2011 is also presented.  Data from 2011 was used to ascertain possible trends in yellowtail flounder distribution. This is especially important during the second quarter (April to June) since yellowtail flounder discard rates in the scallop fishery are traditionally at seasonal highs during this period and yellowtail flounder are known to spawn at this time (O’Brien et al., 1993).

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