The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary （southern Gulf of Maine, northwest Atlantic） is partially overlapped by the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area （WGMCA）. This is a region in which mobile, bottom-distur...The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary （southern Gulf of Maine, northwest Atlantic） is partially overlapped by the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area （WGMCA）. This is a region in which mobile, bottom-disturbing fishing gear has been banned by the New England Fishery Management Council to facilitate the rebuilding of depleted gronndfish populations. We assessed the effects and effectiveness of the WGMCA on groundfish assemblages using habitat-stratified （gravel, sand, mixed benthic habitats） sampling by means of a commercial trawler, inside and outside of the WGMCA. Sampling occurred over three mouth-long sampling periods in 2004-2005, two during the spring seasons and one during the fall season. A total of 18 species were analyzed for protection effects. After controlling for substratum, location and sampling season, eight groundfish species exhibited higher mean proportional abundance inside than outside the WGMCA while two were proportionally more abundant on average outside of the closure. Four species had higher mean proportional biomasses on average inside the closure and three outside. We conclude that the WGMCA may be achieving its goal of rebuilding abundance and biomass for some commercially targeted groundfishes but not all. This study, six to seven years post-closure establishment, reveals fine-scale spatial and taxonomic complexity which will require a very different monitoring protocol than the one currently in place if adaptive management is to be successful in the region [Current Zoology 56 （1）： 134-143, 2010].展开更多
Areas,such as coastal eastern Gulf of Maine(GOM),perceived to have low density of target fish species and having high density fixed gear,are often subject to low fishing pressure and not well monitored.This can lead t...Areas,such as coastal eastern Gulf of Maine(GOM),perceived to have low density of target fish species and having high density fixed gear,are often subject to low fishing pressure and not well monitored.This can lead to a shortage of information regarding the fine scale dynamics of groundfish populations.Sentinel surveys are commonly developed for such areas with little monitoring and commercial fishing activity as a cost effective way to collect relevant data for monitoring the dynamics of fish stocks.In this study,we outline an approach that utilizes information from other survey programs and pilot study for designing a survey that satisfies both the wish of fishermen participants to contribute their knowledge and experience in determining groundfish abundance and distribution and the statistical rigor required for stock assessments.Through an analysis of spatial and density distribution of groundfish populations based on data from pilot seasons of the sentinel survey and other monitoring programs,we designed a survey that has good spatial and temporal coverage and captures the spatial variability in species composition and size structure of key species.The spatially explicit data collected in the program can contribute to a better understanding of groundfish stock status in the eastern GOM.The approach,although developed for the coastal eastern GOM,is also applicable to other areas with similar issues.展开更多
基金provided by the NOAA Fishenes Service, MassFisherman's Partnership+1 种基金Northeast Consortiumthe Pew Institute for Ocean Science
文摘The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary （southern Gulf of Maine, northwest Atlantic） is partially overlapped by the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area （WGMCA）. This is a region in which mobile, bottom-disturbing fishing gear has been banned by the New England Fishery Management Council to facilitate the rebuilding of depleted gronndfish populations. We assessed the effects and effectiveness of the WGMCA on groundfish assemblages using habitat-stratified （gravel, sand, mixed benthic habitats） sampling by means of a commercial trawler, inside and outside of the WGMCA. Sampling occurred over three mouth-long sampling periods in 2004-2005, two during the spring seasons and one during the fall season. A total of 18 species were analyzed for protection effects. After controlling for substratum, location and sampling season, eight groundfish species exhibited higher mean proportional abundance inside than outside the WGMCA while two were proportionally more abundant on average outside of the closure. Four species had higher mean proportional biomasses on average inside the closure and three outside. We conclude that the WGMCA may be achieving its goal of rebuilding abundance and biomass for some commercially targeted groundfishes but not all. This study, six to seven years post-closure establishment, reveals fine-scale spatial and taxonomic complexity which will require a very different monitoring protocol than the one currently in place if adaptive management is to be successful in the region [Current Zoology 56 （1）： 134-143, 2010].
文摘Areas,such as coastal eastern Gulf of Maine(GOM),perceived to have low density of target fish species and having high density fixed gear,are often subject to low fishing pressure and not well monitored.This can lead to a shortage of information regarding the fine scale dynamics of groundfish populations.Sentinel surveys are commonly developed for such areas with little monitoring and commercial fishing activity as a cost effective way to collect relevant data for monitoring the dynamics of fish stocks.In this study,we outline an approach that utilizes information from other survey programs and pilot study for designing a survey that satisfies both the wish of fishermen participants to contribute their knowledge and experience in determining groundfish abundance and distribution and the statistical rigor required for stock assessments.Through an analysis of spatial and density distribution of groundfish populations based on data from pilot seasons of the sentinel survey and other monitoring programs,we designed a survey that has good spatial and temporal coverage and captures the spatial variability in species composition and size structure of key species.The spatially explicit data collected in the program can contribute to a better understanding of groundfish stock status in the eastern GOM.The approach,although developed for the coastal eastern GOM,is also applicable to other areas with similar issues.
