Reducing Bycatch in West Coast Swordfish Fisheries

West coast swordfish fisheries have declined by over 90% in the last 30 years despite healthy stocks and robust markets.  Fishery decline is primarily in response to bycatch mitigation measures that have severely impacted the California drift gillnet fishery.  To develop an additional, low impact method for harvesting west coast swordfish, this work focused on the development and field trial of deep-set buoy gear (DSBG), a vertical hook and line method that is fished deep (250-400m) during the day.  Field studies incorporated depth distribution data from both target and non-target species.  Field testing with research and cooperative fisher vessels was performed during 130 8-h DSBG sets (2011 to 2014).  Results revealed high selectivity for swordfish with marketable catch comprising 94% of the total landings. All non-marketable species captured (6%), were released alive, further suggesting the low-impact nature of DSBG activities.  Market development studies identified a high price-point for DSBG swordfish, one comparable to traditional harpoon product and double that of the net fishery.  Heightened market value is primarily attributed to (1) product quality, (2) reduced domestic landings and (3) the selective nature of the DSBG techniques.  DSBG is being proposed for exempted fishery permit status off the California in 2015.