Pilot Project Outline
Gomora Fleet
- Family Groundfishermen based in New England Fishing Communities
- Gomora Fishing Grounds – Coastal Waters in Gulf of Maine offshore MA, NH, ME west of 70º 15′ W
- Day fishing only
- Vessels 30′ to 75′
- Trawl Gear Restrictions to Limit Catch & Bycatch
- Max 120 ‘ Net
- Max 40 Fathoms of wire behind doors
- 6.5″ – 6.75″ square cod end net
- Vessels agree to continuous electronic monitoring
- Vessels perform full catch retention for non-survivable species
- Vessels donate their choke species quotas to program
- Tow-by-tow catch segregation – targeted and incidental
- Vessels will sea test net monitors, deflectors, sensors, other technology as directed by scientists
- Vessels research-only in restricted species “hot spots” and closed areas
- Fleet-wide avoidance of excess bycatch “hot spots”
regulatory provisions
- Impose above Gear Restrictions on all Vessels in Gomora Fishing Grounds
- Gomora Fleet given waiver for max bycatch & “discard” restrictions
- Gomora Fleet has 100% dockside catch monitoring
- Gomora Fleet uses EMS to confirm no discards at sea
- All catch above vessel quota is held for research or sold to fund program
gomora fleet operations
- Normal fishing operations for quota species
- Shift to research when excess bycatch encountered
- Availble for research missions as directed by scientists
- Vessel & crew paid at cost rate for research time
- Special certification for “Crew Member-Observer”
- No payment by vessel for research mission technology
- Program review & adjustment monthly
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