U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

a significant impact on survival of the species. NMFS can also experiment with timerestrictions and area closures to reduce bycatch in certain circumstances. A variety of pilotprojects can help determine the effectiveness of different methods and the costs involved.NMFS, in cooperation with the RFMCs, has initiated a National Bycatch Strategy thatmoves in the right direction. 21 The Strategy calls for the development of regional implementationplans to reduce bycatch of commercially important species. As ecosystem-basedmanagement evolves, those implementing the Strategy will need to look more broadly atoverall ecosystem impacts.Recommendation 19–22The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Regional Fishery Management Councils, states,and interstate fisheries commissions, should develop regional bycatch reduction plans thataddress the broad ecosystem impacts of bycatch for areas under their jurisdiction. Implementationof these plans will require NMFS to collect data on bycatch of all species captured by commercialand recreational fishermen, not only of commercially important species. The selective useof observers should remain an important component of these efforts.Although reducing the overall extent of bycatch is important, the need to reduce mortality,particularly for endangered species, is critical to ensuring species survival. Fisheriesbycatch is a leading cause of mortality for marine mammals and for endangered species,such as sea turtles and albatross, especially in international fisheries (see Chapter 20).Research on gear types and fishing methods that reduce mortality has shown considerableprogress.The use of “circle hooks” appears promising for reducing bycatch mortality of seaturtles. In the case of seabirds, recent experiments in Alaska on the use of streamers,underwater chutes, and other minor changes to gear deployment in the longline fishery,almost completely eliminated seabird bycatch. These experiments can be expanded toinclude different areas, different gear, and different species of seabirds. Conservationengineering research also shows promise in reducing the impacts of fishing on habitat.Recommendation 19–23The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) should expand its program in conservationengineering to help reduce the impacts of fishing on ecosystems. The program should givehigh priority to finding ways to reduce bycatch in fisheries that interact with endangeredspecies. As gear and fishing methods are shown to be effective, NMFS should promote theirrapid implementation in U.S. fisheries and work with the U.S. Department of State topromote their international adoption.Managing International FisheriesThe Status of International FisheriesIntensive exploitation of fish populations at the international level is jeopardizing globalmarine life and the marine environment. An estimated seven out of ten fish stocks worldwideare being exploited at or beyond the level of sustainability. 22 Not unlike the U.S. situation,factors contributing to the rapid depletion of global fish stocks include:• The open-access nature of high seas fisheries.• Excess fishing capacity, with global investments annually exceeding revenues by $14.5to $54 billion. 23,24• Widespread illegal practices, and difficulties in enforcing the law.• Ever more sophisticated fishing technology and gear.C HAPTER 19: ACHIEVING S USTAINABLE F ISHERIES299