Fishing Effort before and during IFQ Management in WCGOP-Observed Fisheries

In 2011, Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQ) were implemented in the West Coast Bottom Trawl fishery. With three years of IFQ West Coast Groundfish Observer Program (WCGOP) data, we can begin to assess trends in amount, location, timing, and depth of fishing effort (landings, trawl duration, number of hooks and pots) before and during IFQ management.

IFQ bottom trawl landings are consistently lower than during pre-IFQ years and have moved increasingly north of the 40°10’ N. management line. Trawl fishing effort has become more seasonal, peaking in spring and summer. Average bottom trawl fishing depth has decreased since 2011, but remains deeper than pre-IFQ years.

IFQ regulations allow fishers to use multiple gear types, which could impact both IFQ and non-IFQ sectors. We compared the fixed-gear effort before and during IFQ management. Landings peaked in 2011 and then decreased sharply, while total hooks per year decreased, and number of pots showed no clear trend. Hook-and-line landings moved southward since 2009, while pot landings moved northward since 2008. Landings for both gear groups now peak in September/October and effort continues to move deeper.

As WCGOP continues to provide 100% coverage in IFQ sectors, we can better analyze trends and manage these fisheries.