The Fishermen’s observations & wisdom regarding the GOM Fisheries
Trawler Ops & Observations
- Best fishing is during spawning
- Big fish come in and leave first
- While spawning, nothing else matters to the fish
- Spawning not exactly the same time & place every year
- If observer on-board, captain may avoid fish to avoid unwanted catch
- Newly closed area forces captain to seek and learn open gathering times & places for targeted species
- Most captains will continue to fish the same place once he is successful there
- Small boats must sell daily at the going price
- Choke species quota is sold above the price of the fish