A Pilot Study Testing the Efficacy of a Flexible Sorting Grid Rockfish Excluder in the U.S. Pacific Hake Fishery: Outcome of a Collaborative Workshop

This study examined two versions of a flexible sorting grid rockfish excluder in the U.S. Pacific hake fishery. The designs tested (design-A and design-B) were developed following a collaborative workshop held between gear researchers and Pacific hake fishing industry participants. Tests occurred off Oregon and Washington during 2012 aboard the F/V Perseverance. A recapture net was used to quantify the escapement of Pacific hake and non-target species. Both designs retained a relatively high proportion of Pacific hake (>93%). However, the two designs did not perform equally with design-B being much more effective at reducing bycatch. Results showed rockfish bycatch was reduced by 70.2% under design-B and only 15.4% under design-A. For both designs, the mean lengths of Pacific hake caught between the codend and the recapture net did not differ significantly. A reduction in the catch of Pacific halibut and Chinook salmon, which are prohibited take species, was also noted. Unfortunately, both designs tested were only effective under slow-to-moderate fish volumes. Under heavy fish volumes both designs tended to clog. Results of this research suggest there is potential for reducing rockfish bycatch in the Pacific hake fishery using a flexible sorting grid excluder.