Trap Fishing Impacts on Benthic Live-Bottom Habitat within the Black Sea Bass Fishery in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

The black sea bass (BSB, Centropristis striata) fishing industry has developed since the 1940’s and fishing traps have been the dominant gear utilized since the 1970’s. Impacts of traps on benthic habitats and emergent epifauna have become an increasing concern since the 1990’s. Black sea bass are structure-oriented fish, living on live-bottom and reef habitats, and fish are targeted by dropping traps near or on these essential habitats. In this study we attempted to assess the degree of impacts via video observations from commercial traps deployed at popular BSB fishing sites 10-20 miles off the coast of Maryland, at depths of 20-30 m. Contacts with live bottom and trap drag time duration during retrieval were analyzed from 58 drops using both weighted and non-weighted traps in order to mimic empty and traps with catch. We show there is a positive correlation of drag duration and line position. During retrieval, loaded traps are dragged along the bottom; this time significantly increases the farther the trap is from the boat. The increase in drag time coupled with additional catch weight increases the likelihood of contact and subsequent disturbance of benthic habitats.