Research Document - 2003/011

A preliminary exploration of the Canadian observer and catch-effort data on bycatches of 3Ps cod

By Chen, N.Y. and Shelton, P.

Abstract

The Canadian observer data for the period from 1985 to 2001 were used to investigate bycatches of 3Ps cod. The catch-effort data from 1998-2001 were merged with the observer data to flag the observed and unobserved catches by year, cfv (commercial fishing vessel), month, and day. The present study is focused on identifying temporal and spatial variability of bycatches of cod and their dependence on directed species and gear types. The study revealed a significant decline in bycatches of cod from the pre- to post- moratorium periods. Prominent seasonal variations were characterized by the high winter bycatches. The bycatches of cod vary significantly with directed species, with American plaices predominant before 1994 and witch flounders largest afterwards. Gear types have large impacts on the bycatches with dominant bycatches from otter trawl over the entire study period and a significant portion from gillnet from 1993 onward. There were considerable variations in bycatches among unit areas, generally more offshore than inshore.

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