Improving the Selectivity and Utility of Demersal Hook Fishing

Participants

H. Arnold Carr [Massachusetts Dept Marine Fisheries]
Michael Pol [Massachusetts Dept Marine Fisheries]
Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association The Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association (www.ccchfa.org), working with Dr. Susan Goldhor of the Center for Applied Regional Studies (CARS), are participating with DMF to look at several aspects of bottom longlining. This project will have four goals: examining feeding and hooking responses of cod, haddock , and yellowtail flounder; finding gear and artificial bait combinations that minimize bycatch; determining if flatfish can be caught with longline gear in commercial quantities; and extending findings on these topics to New England fishermen.

The first step in this project, slated for this fall, is capture and holding of live cod, haddock, and yellowtail. These fish will be exposed to artificial baits. Field testing of effective is scheduled for the beginning of 2001.

For more information on this project, contact Arne Carr (508.563.1779 x117).

Last modified: October 13, 2000