Behavioral Interactions Between Flatfish and Commercial Fishing Gear on the Newfoundland Grand Bank

The yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) fishery on the Newfoundland Grand Bank is currently limited by bycatch restrictions, in particular non-recovering American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides). In recent years, behavioral research of target species and their interactions to the harvesting gear have led to gear modifications that reduce bycatch. In preparation for gear modifications, in situ camera work was conducted on the Grand Bank, during June, 2010 and April, 2011, to observe and quantify the relationship between flatfish behavior and harvesting gear. A high definition (HD 1080i/720p), digital camera system developed for this research was secured onto the headline of a commercial flatfish trawl. Individuals of different size classes were observed entering the mouth of the trawl, then analyzed using Observer XT 10. It is anticipated that behavioral differences between species and sizes will lead to a trawl designed to reduce American plaice bycatch and undersized yellowtail flounder.