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Fisheries Research Lab David Kerstetter, Ph.D. Fisheries Research Lab David Kerstetter, Ph.D.

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Fisheries Research Lab David Kerstetter, Ph.D. - PPT Presentation

Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography Nova Southeastern University Fall Semester 2017 Background Education Edinboro University of Pa BA 1995 ID: 661101

study case conclusions bycatch case study bycatch conclusions discussion introduction reg env research fisheries species management fishing international florida

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Slide1

Fisheries Research Lab

David Kerstetter, Ph.D.

Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences

Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography

Nova Southeastern University

Fall Semester 2017Slide2

Background:

Education:

Edinboro

University of Pa (BA 1995)

College of William & Mary (MPP 1998)

W&M-VIMS (MSc 2002, PhD 2005)

Work History:

NOAA

Knauss

Marine Policy Fellow (1999)

W&M-VIMS Post-Doctoral Associate (2005)

UM-RSMAS Post-Doctoral Associate (2005-07)

NSU OC Research Scientist (2007-2013; lab est. in 2007) and Assistant Professor (2013-present)Slide3

Courses:

(G) Marine Fisheries Science

(G) Living Marine Resource Policy

(G) Invasive Species Ecology, Management, & Policy

(G) Marine Avian Ecology

(UG) Sharks and Their Relatives

Other, occasional undergrad courses on the main campus (e.g.,

First-Year Experience and Biology II)

Graduated Student Shannon Bayse in FLSlide4

Research Areas

Fishing gear technology/conservation engineering

Fisheries Biology (A/G/R, PSAT tagging)

Fisheries Socioeconomics

Seabird Ecology

Photo by graduated student Max

Appelman

in NCSlide5

Fishing Gear Technology Research

Strong vs. weak circle hooks (NC and HI)

Behavior of shallow-set pelagic longline gear (NC)

Evaluation of swordfish buoy gear and greenstick gear in the Gulf of Mexico (LA and FL)

Evaluation of swordfish buoy gear in Turkey, Morocco, and Réunion Island

Development of alternative spatial catch metrics for pelagic longline gear

Development of electric elasmobranch bycatch reduction devices

Photo by graduated student Max

Appelman

in NCSlide6

Fisheries Biology Research

Diet of swordfish, pelagic stingray, and barracuda

Age/Growth/Reproduction of mesopelagic and coastal pelagic fishes

Trophic linkages/diets of mesopelagic, coastal pelagic, and reef-associated/inshore fishes

Parasite faunas of elasmobranchs, lionfish and other local reef-associated/inshore fishes

Physiological parameters of lionfish (temperature, hypoxic environments, visual characteristics)

Photo by former student Adam

Nardelli

in FLSlide7

Fisheries Biology (continued)

PSAT tagging:

sailfish (Florida Straits)

undersized swordfish (Florida Straits and Caymans)

pelagic stingray (GOM and ATL)

blackfin tuna (GOM)

barracuda (Florida Straits)

Graduated student Jenny Fenton in Cayman IslandsSlide8

Socioeconomic Fisheries Research

Southeast Florida swordfish and sailfish tournament fishery

Florida Straits barracuda fishery

Florida lionfish derby fishery

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS fisheries

Graduated Student Amy

Heemsoth

in FLSlide9

…and (finally!), Seabird Research

Trophic ecology of seabirds in the Florida Straits

Endoparasitism

in coastal seabirds and wading birds

Heavy metal contaminants in coastal seabirds

Electronic tagging

Photo by graduated student Jesse Secord in FLSlide10

Research is Research is Research, right? A primer on types of modern scientific inquiry.Fall Semester 2017

MBIO 1510Slide11

“Research is the systematic approach to obtaining and confirming new and reliable knowledge”Systematic and orderly (following a series of steps)Purpose is

new

knowledge, which must be reliable

This is a general definition which can apply to all scientific disciplines.Slide12

Research is not:

Accidental discovery

:

Accidental discoveries may sometimes occur in structured research processes

Usually takes the form of a phenomenon not previously noticed

May lead to a structured research process to verify or understand the observationSlide13

Research is not: (cont.)Data Collection

an intermediate step to gain reliable knowledge

however, collecting reliable data is part of the research processSlide14

Searching out published research results in libraries (or the internet)This is an important early step of researchThe research process always includes synthesis and analysis, but just reviewing existing literature is itself not research

Research

is

not: (cont.)Slide15

1. Searching for explanation of events, phenomena, relationships and causesWhat, how, and why things occurAre there interactions, and if so, how to they affect the outcomes?

Research

is: Slide16

2. A process Planned and managed – to ensure that the information generated is credible The process is creativeIt is (or should be!)

circular

– always leads to more questions

Research

is: Slide17

All well designed and conducted research has some kind of potential application… eventually.Failure to see applications can be due to:

Users not trained in the specialized methods of research and reasoning

Researchers often do not provide adequate interpretations and guidance on applications of the research (dissemination, too)Slide18

Public research is a public good*May be more rigorous and objective because it is subject to more scrutiny –

at higher levels,

including peer

reviewOften publicly disseminated

Private research

may also

be just as scientifically

rigorousHowever, research on a company’s product or desired outcome may be questioned as biasedNegative results often not published or releasedIn economics, a public good is a good that is both non-excludable and non-rivalrous, in that individuals cannot be effectively excluded from use and where use by one individual does not reduce availability to others. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_good)Slide19

Classification of ResearchBefore classification, we must first define the basic types of researchDifferent criteria are used to classify research types

(All of these are somewhat arbitrary and artificial

not all scientists may agree

)Slide20

How did the universe begin? How do we treat or cure a specific disease? What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?

How do slime molds reproduce?

How can we improve agricultural crop production?

What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

How can we improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation?

http://www.sjsu.edu/people/fred.prochaska/courses/ScWk170/s0/Basic-vs.-Applied-Research.pdf

Slide21

How did the universe begin? How do we treat or cure Type II diabetes? What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?

How do slime molds reproduce?

How can we improve agricultural crop production in Angola and The Congo?

What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

How can we improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation? Slide22

The Frascati Manual (OECD)classifies research into three categories:Basic research

 is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge about observable phenomena and facts, not directed toward any particular use.

Applied research

 is original investigation to acquire new knowledge directed primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective.

Experimental development

 is systematic effort, based on existing knowledge from research or practical experience, directed toward creating novel or improved materials, products, devices, processes, systems, or services.Slide23

My lab does all three:

Basic research

:

Age/growth of bycatch species

Stable isotope biogeochemistry for ecological studies

Endoparasites

of marine organisms (e.g., birds, fishes)

Applied research

:

How do we minimize the mortality of bycatch animals in commercial fisheries?

Can we develop an electronic device to minimize shark bycatch?

Experimental development

:

Can we develop a bycatch-minimizing set of deployment techniques for a commercial pelagic longline fishery in Grenada?

Can we adapt Southeast Florida swordfish buoy gear for Turkey? For the northern Gulf of Mexico?

However, not all research types are equally easy in the sphere of public relations

depending on region, locality, etc., fisheries can be a VERY contentious issue.Slide24

My point here is not to recruit folks into my lab – or marine biology, for that matter! -- but to highlight some of the aspects to think about as you consider your own research interests. Some metrics to consider:Research opportunities

not every lab will have them (or have many)

Funding!

Type of research (i.e., basic, applied, and/or developmental)

Overall advisor engagement, both with outside world and students (e.g., the VIMS “tripartite mission” model)Slide25

Frontline Experiences from Changing Fisheries Bycatch ParadigmsDavid Kerstetter, Ph.D.Fisheries Research Laboratory

Razor’s Edge Research Scholars

Program

November 2017 Slide26

Fisheries are vital for Florida: $1.2b for commercial, $86m for aquaculture (Hodges et al, 2002), and $5.7b for recreational (FWC, 2012)In the United States, a relatively small percent of our protein is fish-based, but not so for the rest of the worldFish is a basic trade commodity, so world-wide impacts on trade and human health

Introduction

http://www.fao.org/docrep/

u8480e/U8480E0F.HTM

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide27

What is a fishery?An interlocking relationship of three components: humans, fish, and environmentSeveral types of fisheries: commercial and recreational, as well as artisanal/subsistenceManagement rests on two basic ideas:Bmsy

: biomass at MSY

Fmsy

: fishing mortality at MSY

Background: Terms

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide28

Introduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide29

Introduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide30

Introduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide31

Putting this MSY concept into practice isn’t very easy, though

and that’s assuming that the policy-makers even understand the science!

An example of the scientific output from an assessment:

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide32

“overfished”

B

lim

is the limit biomass reference point,

B

Threshold

is the biomass point at which increasingly strict management actions should be taken as biomass decreases and

F

target

, the target fishing mortality rate to be applied to achieve the management objective.

“overfishing”

The “

Kobe Matrix”!

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide33

“Kobe Plot” time series of B/B

MSY

B and F/F

MSY

for northern swordfish stock from 1950 to 2014 showing the progression of stock status as the North Atlantic pelagic longline fisheries evolved. The blue circle represents the range of uncertainty, while the star indicates the most likely stock status as of 2015.

Aside:

Many managers are moving away from MSY to “target” and “limit” reference points instead, but MSY still commonly used and incorporated into UNCLOS and other international treaties.

“overfished”“overfishing”

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide34

Lack of collapse?Capable of recovery after collapse?Harvesting at Bmsy or Fmsy?OR, harvesting in a manner sustainable for the ecosystem?

Definition of “sustainability”?

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide35

How does one “manage” a fishery?Protect the underlying ecology that allows fish productionControl the type (size or age) of individual fish harvested to maximize productionControl the fishing mortality rate (F)Most fisheries management regimes are combinations of several methods, especially for multiple stocks

Introduction

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide36

Fisheries are managed at several regulatory levels, depending on the movement level of the species itself:State: sessile speciesDomestic/National: non-migratory speciesInternational: migratory and highly migratory speciesDue to the breadth of fisheries, three selected case-study examples to explain some points

Introduction

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide37

Largest fishery of the Chesapeake Bay for hundreds of years, with major ecosystem functionLarge-scale declines in catches from historical highsLast remaining sailing fishing fleet as fishery management termManagement still at state level

Case Study 1: Chesapeake oysters

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide38

Decline due to several causes:Overfishing Targeting spawning areasSessile, so no refugiaHabitat destruction/introduced diseases/water quality issues

End result is a 50x decrease from historical highs

From Rothschild et al. (1994)

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide39

Driver of economic prosperity in Maritimes from 1500s through colonial period, but development of international factory trawler fleets, especially during 1960s-70s, caused collapse Currently under national and international management regimeDespite years of effectively closing the fisheries, the cod stocks have not rebounded

Case Study 2: Grand Banks cod

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide40

Catches peaked, then just collapsed (with warning)Input of foreign trawl effort clearly affected total landings… and resulting declining catchesChanges in ecosystem… ?

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide41

Sustainable harpoon fishery moved to pelagic longline gear in the 1970s, including into the Florida Straits nursery groundsYears of ineffective international management culminated in 1999 strict harvest rules, including closure of juvenile habitatBy 2004 stock assessment, population > Bmsy (2014 assessment indicates similar situation for stock through 2013)

Case Study 3: N. Atlantic Swordfish

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide42

Several changes to regime:U.S. time-area closures (2000)U.S. circle hooks (2004)Combination of member states into one E.C. unit (better enforcement)Combined efforts seem to have worked, whether planned or otherwiseSlide43

Differences between these case-study examples on scale of management: local, national, and internationalWithin most Western management agencies, opportunity for public participation (in the United States, within management)Regulatory decisions at all levels must abide by representative domestic and international (treaty) law

Regulatory Environment

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide44

Managed at the state level, even in joint water bodies; decisions made by locally-appointed fishery participantsOther problems of pollution, introduced species, and siltationLesson: even effective management might not be enough

Case Study

1

: Chesapeake oysters

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide45

Nominally managed at the international level, but actually more so at the national level (spawning grounds, EEZ)Although some notable incursions (e.g., F/V Estai), international regime essentially holding; stocks still not recoveringLesson: international management might not be enough if the stock is depleted beyond an ecological threshold

Case Study 2: Grand Banks cod

[EEZ = exclusive economic zone]

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide46

Whole-scale management changes in addition to the 1999 international management actionsFast-reproducing, fecund species; protected nursery groundsBy 2004 stock assessment, population > Bmsy

Lesson:

success isn’t always (solely) about management

Case Study 3: N. Atlantic Swordfish

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide47

Because we all depend on fish and fisheries, especially the South Florida economy;Because there are lessons to be learned from each of these fisheries, and we owe that to those fishermen;And, finally, because we have demonstrated examples that management for sustainable fisheries

can

work.

So, who cares?

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide48

By-catch is

that portion of the catch returned to the sea as a result of economic, legal, or personal considerations, plus the retained catch of non-targeted species

.

(McCaughran, 1992)

… by-catch as the fishing mortality resulting from the catch that is not accounted for in the landed catch. In effect, this definition equates to the discard mortality and represents the focus of the vast majority of the quantitative literature on by-catch levels.

(Hall and Mainprize, 2005)

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch Discussion

ConclusionsSlide49

Your bycatch is my dinner… definitional problems remain at many levels between “bycatch

and

incidental catch

(retained vs. non-retained) – what about the

“shack meat” problem? Historically, RFMOs have been hesitant to define bycatch for any species because of cultural, artisanal, and/or historical reasons within member states.

RFMO

= regional

fishery

management

organization

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide50

LESSON 1 –

WHAT

IS

BYCATCH?Slide51

Definitions:

Catch

: the total number or weight of fish captured in a given areas over a given period of time. Includes fish captured and subsequently released or discarded.

Target species

: the species of main interest in the fishery (may be multi-species)

Non-target species

: species (and/or non-legal sizes) other than the target species

Bycatch

: non-target species (and/or non-legal sizes) that are not retained

Incidental catch

: non-target species that are retained

Introduction Background

Bycatch Lessons 1-6

Discussion ConclusionsSlide52

BYCATCH

BYCATCH

BYCATCH

BYCATCH

BYCATCH

NOT

BYCATCH

Dave in 2000

Dave in 2001

Dave in 2003

Dave in 2003

Dave in 2004

Dave in 2005Slide53

Dave in 2012

Dave in 2008

Dave (and Lane)

in 2013

Dave in 2011

Dave in 2013

Dave in 2010

BYCATCH

BYCATCH

NOT

BYCATCH

NOT

BYCATCH

NOT

BYCATCH

BYCATCHSlide54

Declines in stocks of main fisheries targets have led to retention – if not outright targeting – and marketing of formerly discarded species (see “white tuna”…)

So, are these species then still technically

bycatch

?

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide55

LESSON 2 – REDUCING BYCATCH AND REDUCING BYCATCH MORTALITY ARE DIFFERENT IDEAS Slide56

Reducing bycatch – numbers aloneMethods? Reduce effort Reduce interactions with bycatch species

Success in the United States?

Major reduction of PLL effort in the Florida Straits

On-going reduction of shrimp effort in the GOM

Newly-proposed seasonal closure of PLL effort in the GOM

For collaborative work with fishers, often need to stress decrease in extra effort to deal with bycatch (actual

and

regulatory), as well as less lost and/or damaged fishing gear – but that they still get to go fishingIntroduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide57

Reducing bycatch mortality – a numbers game too, but focus is instead on survivabilityEmphasis on good overall animal condition, especially at releaseMethods for PLL (for example):

Longer

gangions

than

floatlines

Different hook types:

Fewer gut-hooking events (circle hooks)

Maximize ability of animal to self-release (weak hooks) Different fishing techniques (e.g., tori lines) Considered the more pragmatic approach of the two; often allows for cooperative researchIntroduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide58

Kerstetter and Graves,

N. Am. J. Fish. Mgt. (

2008)

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide59

LESSON 3 – WE DO NOT KNOW AS MANY THINGS ABOUT OUR FISHING GEARS AS WE LIKE TO THINK WE DO

http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/images/biogeo/seaturtle/tangle.jpgSlide60

Where:

D

j

is the depth of the

j

th hook

in a basket

ha is the length of the branchline

h

b

is the length of the floatline

l

is half the length of the mainline

in the basket

n

is the number of intervals

between hooks

j

is the position number of the

j

th branchline in the basket

Φ is the angle between the tangent

to the mainline and the horizontal

(Yoshihara, 1951)

“A tragedy of mathematics is a beautiful conjecture

ruined by an ugly fact.

Anon.

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide61

Armstrong (2009)

Several studies now – including Boggs (1992), Bigelow et al. (2006), and Rice et al. (2007) – all agree with Armstrong (2009) that the Yoshihara (1951) equation consistently

overestimates

actual fishing depths.

Under analysis, Yoshihara’

s equation unfortunately isn’t very good at predicting reality…

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide62

To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.

– Aldo Leopold (1887-1948)Slide63

LESSON 4 – WE DO NOT KNOW AS MANY THINGS ABOUT OUR BYCATCH SPECIES AS WE LIKE TO THINK WE DOSlide64

Depth data inferred from catches?!?!

It is true that observed depths (obtained using depth sensors) and predicted depths often differ. … However, we contacted several observers and longline fishers who pointed out that commercial fishers adjust their fishing practices to maximize the availability of longline hooks to target species, such as deep-dwelling bigeye tuna.

-- Ward and Myers (2005)

There

is

a bit of truth to this – swordfish

are

deeper when the moon is brighter, for example.

Lerner et al. (2010)

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide65

Little is known about the biology of many main bycatch species, especially the fishes (which

aren’

t

alternatively covered by ESA, MBTA, or MMPA…)

Ageing/Growth?

Reproductive periodicity?

Age at maturity?

Little funding is available for the biology of fishes not currently harvested… and even for some of those that are!

Head of 125# escolar from Grand Cayman Island, courtesy of Guy Harvey

Kerstetter and Armstrong (2009)

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide66

Delta-lognormal modeling of CPUEs for escolar catches in the U.S.

Atlantic & GOM pelagic longline fishery, 1994-2006 (all statistical areas)

Kerstetter and Armstrong (2009)

Stock assessment models for rare-event bycatch species are still in preliminary stages – we don’

t know how to adequately assess things without nesting beaches or dedicated pupping grounds, although

such auxiliary methods (e.g., EFH) often try to do so.

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide67

LESSON 5 – OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES, RELATIVELY FEW COUNTRIES

REALLY

CARE ABOUT FISHERIES BYCATCH AND BYCATCH MANAGEMENTSlide68

PLL is the (vastly) dominant gear type, at least for pelagic fishes…

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide69

RFMOs and BycatchICCAT?

BUM and WHM (sort of), as well as sea birds and bigeye thresher sharks.

CCSBT?

Little bycatch, generally MIA.

IOTC?

Unknown bycatch levels, generally MIA.

I-ATTC?

Great strides with PS, PLL in progress.IWC? It may be the lone exception, but the Commission mandate technically doesn’t cover small cetaceans.Introduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion Conclusions

S.

Murawski

, from http://

www.compassonline.org

/

pdf_files

/EBM_12_05_

Murawski

.pdf

Slide70

IPOAs/NPOAs Sharks (1999)

U.S. NPOA implemented in

2001; 18 NPOAs by 2016

Sea Turtles:

15 pages of NOAA international activities relating to reducing bycatch of sea turtles

Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (1998)

Seabirds

U.S. NPOA implemented in 2001; 13 NPOAs by 2005

IPOAs/NPOAs technically cover all national fisheries, but there’s generally a lack of (or poor) international coordination in many plans for pelagic species.

Other International Agreements

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide71

http://cinemar.unh.edu/photos/tuna_school.jpg

LESSON 6 –

The ecologist has never been asked before how to harvest an ecosystem optimally.

Hall et al. (2000)Slide72

To paraphrase, we’

re all (or we all

should

be) ecologists now in our approach to fisheries, as NOAA is starting to do nationally with EBFM.

Still, how do we set harvest or mortality limits for bycatch species, without putting our fisheries in jeopardy?

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide73

FISHING ISN’T GOING TO STOP, OR EVEN LIKELY SLOW DOWN…

SO, WHERE DO WE GO NOW?

http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/images/28939_350x263_72_DPI_0.jpg

Slide74

Hall et al. (2000) “Two-Lever System”

:

You can reduce bycatch by affecting changes on either side… or optimally

both

.

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide75

A single country can make a difference in bycatch for a migratory or broadly ranging species.

Many species move over broad geographic areas, so a multi-national approach is at least helpful, if not required!

Four paradigms in need of a change regarding bycatch:

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide76

Static time-area closures are effective fisheries management tools.

They

may

be effective in some situations, but other times may fail completely. Time-area closures are not “silver bullet” solutions.

Four paradigms in need of a change regarding bycatch:

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide77

Harvests affect target and non-target species in similar ways.

Because of differing population levels, harvests of target species very likely affect the non-target species in strikingly different ways.

Four paradigms in need of a change regarding bycatch:

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide78

Global climate change won’t affect vertical distribution, horizontal range utilization, OR essential spawning/larval/juvenile habitat.

Four paradigms in need of a change regarding bycatch:

Global climate change

already

is affecting these distributions, ranges, and habitats.

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide79

Some “modest proposals”

Before using habitat-based stock assessment models, let’

s be sure we really know the habitat of the species in question!

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide80

Kerstetter et al. (2008) Gulf and Caribbean Research Vol 20, 97-102, 2008

http://media.photobucket.com/image/escolar/RiskTaker1/IMG_1433.jpg

Example 1: escolar

(

Lepidocybium

flavobrunneum

)

800-1000 m depth differences within 12 hours, repeated dailySlide81

Kerstetter et al. (unpubl. data, 2010)

© 1999-2010, Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation

Example 2:

Pelagic Stingray

(

Pteroplatytrygon

violacea

)

25-100 m depth differences, with short-duration dives to 200+ m

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide82

Some “modest proposals”

Advocate

for multi-species or ecosystem approaches for fisheries management,

even if such an approach means less harvest of the target species in order to protect a more-vulnerable species

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide83

Some “modest proposals”

As climate change begins to occur – and brings ecological changes with it – we’

re going to have to re-frame bycatch issue as habitats (i.e., the vulnerabilities to fishing gear configurations) change:

Decreasing areas of productivity

Decreasing areas for nesting/spawning/pupping

Effects of habitat compression (e.g., eastern Atlantic hypoxic depths) on fisheries distributions

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide84

Some “modest proposals”

Finally, scientists need to

get involved

. Emphasis in most marine science programs is on outreach and education; as a discipline, we need to also do

advisory service

, and especially within the sub-field of fisheries science.

On the other side, citizens also need to share their expertise with science – programs like REEF are great opportunities to do so!

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide85
Slide86

Fisheries sustainability (i.e., effective management) is often based on the policy efficacy of the background structure – diffuse political bases, weak consumer demands, burdensome enforcement measures, and lack of legal mandates often result in poor management regimesBiology of the stock in question matters somewhat, but is not the determinate factor

Discussion

The

Anna Karenina Principle

describes an endeavor in which a deficiency in any one of a number of factors dooms it to failure. Consequently, a successful endeavor (subject to this principle) is one where every possible deficiency has been avoided.

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide87

Based on three principles:Principle 1: Sustainable fish stocksPrinciple 2: Minimizing environmental impactPrinciple 3: Effective management

Ultimately, certification relies

on theory that consumer choice for sustainable fish products can drive higher prices for fishermen – thus, encouraging others to adopt sustainable practices

Seafood Certification?

?Slide88

With an increasing population, we have no choice but to move toward sustainability in wild fisheries – unless we all just eat tilapiaWeak national (most) and international legal frameworks and/or enforcement – are trade measures enough?However, we have both sustainable fisheries and rebuilt, now sustainably fished fisheries – there is hope!

Conclusions

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide89

Numerous remaining challenges:Effective enforcement of international management regimesInvasive species?Informing consumers of problems!Still no comprehensive understanding of the role of global climate change on wild fisheries production:

Migration and/or

s

pawning/nursery ground changesLoss of fisheries infrastructure

Conclusions

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide90

Apologies to John Donne, but “No consumer is an island…” – your own seafood choices dictate the markets, which dictate what fishers targetWhat can you do?

In addition to MSC certification, also several web-based seafood guides (e.g., from Monterey Bay Aquarium)

Encouragement of “

localivore

” fish tastes – less transport, better management/fewer invasive species, supporting local fishing communities (note: this theme applies to freshwater fisheries as well)

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3

Bycatch

Discussion

ConclusionsSlide91

Few places in the United States have as strong an effect on fisheries as Florida, especially South Florida – fisheries are all around us on a daily basis hereSupport organizations and actions that encourage sustainability rather than force exclusion – it’s no longer “all or nothing”Your consumer choices matter!

Take-Home Messages?

Introduction

Case Study 1/2/3

Reg-Env

Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide92

Didn’t discuss it, but… Funding will continue to be a challenge – incorporate a management focus into proposals to make them relevant to RFP reviewers and agencies –

if you want to get into science, get involved early and often to build your portfolio

Bycatch involves charismatic megafauna, thus is

often easier

to get public interest in that research (and sometimes

financial support

, too

)ConclusionsIntroduction Case Study 1/2/3 Reg-Env Case Study 1/2/3 Bycatch Discussion ConclusionsSlide93

Funding by NOAA, North Carolina Sea Grant, Virginia Sea Grant, Massachusetts Sea Grant, John A. Knauss Sea Grant Marine Policy Fellowship, Walton Family Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Gulf Restoration NetworkMentors, supervisors, and students at the College of William & Mary, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, the

Universidade

Federal Rural de

Pernamuco, IFREMER, the University of Miami, NSU PFRDG, and – of course! – the students in the Fisheries Research Laboratory

AcknowledgementsSlide94

Photo courtesy of Justin Lerner

David Kerstetter, Ph.D.

Fisheries Research Laboratory

Halmos

College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography

Nova Southeastern University

Email:

kerstett@nova.edu Phone: 954-262-3664FB (fisheries):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/nsuocfisherieslab/

FB (birds):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542801272602114/