West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 5
• Reason for Discard – Record the
skipper’s/crew’s reason of discard for each
discarded species.
1-Prohibited – Only Salmon, Pacific Halibut,
and Dungeness crab.
2-Size – High-graded fish.
3-Market – Any market driven reason such
as size (too big or small), no market, market
price is too low, etc.
Tip* Species which are unlikely to be
retained, such as eelpouts, sculpins,
and grenadiers are given a reason for
discard of “3”.
4-Regulation – Any regulatory reason
including size, over quota, etc.
5-Other – Document in comments actual
reason for discard.
Tip* As a rule, invertebrates such as
starfish, anemones, and sea pens are
given a reason for discard of “5”.
6-Drop-off – Any fish that would have been
retained if it was landed (fish did not make it
on boat because if fell off the line).
7-Predation – Any fish that would have been
retained but was eaten by a predator:; such as
a marine mammal, seabird, or sand fleas.
Tip* Look only at the primary reason
for discard. For instance, if the vessel
is not retaining Starry Flounder and
one drops-off, do not record the
reason of discard as drop-off. Even if
1/30/2004 5-59