Science Response 2014/034
Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Reduce Yellowtail Flounder By-catch on Georges Bank in 2014
Context
Since 2007 Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has implemented area/time closures during the month of June for the offshore scallop fishery to reduce Yellowtail Flounder by-catch. An area of Georges Bank, approximately 87.5 square nautical miles, was closed during June 2013. The closure area was determined following a review of Yellowtail Flounder by-catch distribution and relative abundance during the month of June, which coincides with the latter part of the yellowtail spawning season on eastern Georges Bank (O’Brien et al. 1993) and the opening of the Georges Bank groundfish fishery. The distribution was based on observed groundfish trips from the otter-trawl fleet (2005 to 2012). Temporal trends in the distribution of the offshore scallop fishery between 1997 and 2012 were also considered. The methodology for the development of scallop fishery time/area closures to reduce yellowtail by-catch followed that initially described by DFO (2007).
This report provides an update to the 2013 report (DFO 2013) on the scallop fishery area/time closure to reduce Yellowtail Flounder by-catch on Georges Bank. It includes an analysis of the spatial distribution of yellowtail by-catch during June based upon observed trips from the groundfish otter-trawl fishery. By-catch data from observed June trips of the offshore scallop fishery were not examined due to a paucity of data and much greater observer coverage from the groundfish otter-trawl fishery.
This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of May 5, 2014, Update for Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Reduce Yellowtail Flounder By-catch on Georges Bank in 2014.
Accessibility Notice
This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.
- Date modified: