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STFA/CFMC Pilot Trap Vent Study Final Report (3/25/2009). Acknowledgements. Project Funding CFMC Puerto Rico Sea Grant SEFSC Fishermen Tony Blanchard Winston Ledee Julian Magras Ernest Quetel Sampling Gerald Greaux Ruth Gomez. Trap Vents Tested. Location of Vents. Completed Trips.
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Acknowledgements • Project Funding • CFMC • Puerto Rico Sea Grant • SEFSC • Fishermen • Tony Blanchard • Winston Ledee • Julian Magras • Ernest Quetel • Sampling • Gerald Greaux • Ruth Gomez
Empty Empty Traps 12% 15% 32% 13% 12%
Blue Tang (FL mm) N=153 N=137 N=21 N=196
Longspined Squirrelfish (FL mm) N=65 N=136 N=166 N=9
Queen Triggerfish (FL mm) N=133 N=84 N=80 N=56 Missing Bycatch
Red Hind (TL mm) N=153 N=137 N=196 N=12 Missing Bycatch
White Grunt (FL mm) N=50 N=109 N=9 N=85
Scrawled Cowfish (TL mm) N=69 N=29 N=42 N=41
Preliminary Findings • Study design works well. • Escape vents release fish but also release target fish (2 x 4). • Other vents do not differ from controls. • Need to test other vents in order to find a successful design. • Release Panels function on long sets
Vent Design Considerations • Location. Location was held constant for the pilot study but could be significant. • Visual cues. All of the vents in the present study were created by removing portions of the mesh. There are no collars around the vents and some of the fishermen feel that the current one inch wide vents might work if there was a visual cue. • Size. There is a general consensus that the 1 by 6 vent, or some modification of that vent size might be likely to improve escapement of by catch and the likely starting design will be some version of the 1 by 6 vent size. • Orientation. Escapement may be enhanced by either horizontal or vertical orientation of the vents.
STFA CRP Proposal • Goal: Design vents that will release target species and still retain landings • 18 Month study period • 8 Fishermen: to rotate among interested participants • Phase 1 Vents to be developed from pilot study findings • Phase 2 Vents to be developed from Phase 1 findings • Implement within STFA (46% of STT Trips) as soon as developed (i.e. Don’t have to wait for FMP amendment or compatible regulations