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Research Document - 2002/031

A study of by-catches in herring bait nets in Newfoundland, 2001

By D. G. Reddin, R. Johnson and P. Downton

Abstract

The effect of bycatches of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and cod (Gadus morhua)in the bait fishery in inshore Newfoundland was investigated. Levels of bycatches in 2001 were examined by analysing the license file for numbers of fishers and location fished, conducting a phone survey to determine how many fishers actively fished, fishing experimentally with bait nets and traditional herring nets, surveying catches in bait nets by Enforcement Staff and studying tag returns of repeat spawners from Campbellton River. Data from DFO Licensing Section indicated that in 2001 there were about 3,600 licenced bait fishers in Newfoundland and Labrador. A phone survey of licensed bait net fishers indicated that about 46% actively fished for herring in 2001 and that bait was obtained principally for the lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery followed by crab (Chionoecetes opilio) and cod fisheries. Experimental fishing was carried out in three locations and a total of six salmon, one sea trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and one smolt were caught. Numbers of salmon found in pelagic nets during patrols by Enforcement Staff and the numbers of salmon reported during herring index fishery were very low. Overall conclusions, based on the information presented for 2001, were that the legal fishery for herring to use as bait has a low incidence of salmon or cod being caught but that the bycatch of pollock (Pollachius virens) could be important. Bycatches can be reduced by controlling the sites fished and eliminating those near salmon runs or with high bycatches of salmonids and groundfish, setting nets at least one fathom deep, and setting nets parallel to shore where possible. The setting of nets parallel to shore may increase the bycatch of pollock and reduce the catch of herring (Clupea harengus).

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