Coral and Sponge Bycatch in Alaska

1
Coral and Sponge Bycatch in Alaska
2
Request for Data

• Asked a series of questions regarding coral and
  sponge bycatch in Alaska.
• Jim Balsiger provided the following responses on
  October 17, 2002.

3
What does observer data tell us about coral and
sponge bycatch?

• 53 of coral and sponge bycatch in Alaska
  occurred in management areas 541, 542, and 543.
• Only 8 of observed total catch occurs in these
  areas
• Coral and sponge bycatch rates are over 10 times
  higher in the Aleutians than Bering Sea or Gulf
  of Alaska

4
Bycatch Rates by Region
Source NMFS, Data provided by Jim Balsiger
10-17-02
5
Bycatch as an Indicator

• Allows area comparisons of habitat
• Shows where impacts are highest
• Catchability of corals and sponges varies
  between gear types
• Some damage may occur to organisms which are not
  brought up as bycatch

6
How much total coral and sponge bycatch occurs
each year in Alaska and how much by bottom
trawling alone?

• PSEIS, Vol IV, Tables 4.7-4 and 4.7-5 Average
  Coral and Sponge Bycatch 97-99
• Average bycatch per year in Alaska 1,105,488
  lbs.
• Bottom trawling responsible for 87 of coral
  bycatch and 91 of sponge bycatch
• Uncertainty has not been estimated

7
Bycatch Rates by Gear Type
Source 2001 Draft Programmatic SEIS, Vol. IV,
Tables 4.7-4 and 4.7-5
8
For the AI, how much bycatch in state and federal
waters and how much is corals vs. sponges?
Source NMFS, Data provided by Jim Balsiger
10-17-02
9
In Summary

• The Aleutian Islands have highest impacts to
  corals and sponges
• Bottom trawling is the biggest culprit

10
Still Dont Know

• How much total coral and sponge has been
  destroyed and how much is left
• Comparison of different gear types

11
We Know Enough to Act

• Comprehensive research and monitoring
• Experimental design is not enough
• With better information we can do a better job
  protecting fish habitat while maintaining vibrant
  fisheries