NOAA Observed Fishing Effort in the U.S. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries: At-Sea Midwater Trawl Catcher-Processor (2002-2017)

The main purpose of these data layers is to help inform the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion on Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (NMFS 2012). In 2011, new regulations governing the limited entry bottom trawl and midwater trawl fisheries led to the induction of individual fishing quotas (IFQs). Primary goals of IFQ management included decreased bycatch and increased catch accountability, profitability, and efficiency. In the shoreside bottom trawl fishery, permit holders with IFQ and a trawl endorsement can use multiple gear types (although not within the same trip), including bottom trawl, midwater trawl, hook-and-line gear, and pot gear. These management changes could impact fishing effort in trawl sectors, as well as alter fixed gear fishing effort by providing a new opportunity for fixed gear fishing activity and potential competition between IFQ and other fixed gear sectors. These data layers display fishing effort to assess these potential changes.