Use of artificial illumination to reduce Pacific halibut bycatch in a U.S. West Coast groundfish Bottom trawl

In the U.S. West Coast groundfish bottom trawl fishery, Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) bycatch can impact some fishers’ ability to fully utilize their quota shares of groundfishes. this study, we compared catch efficiency for and four commercially important species between an illuminated non-illuminated trawl. The caught significantly fewer sablefish than For Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus), petrale (Eopsetta jordani), lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus), individuals However, difference was not statistically significant. Physiological data collected on in trawls show blood levels cortisol, a stress hormone, were higher fish absence differences condition factor or fat content. While our results have obvious implications findings could also potential applications Alaska British Columbia, Canada fisheries where occurs.