Harbor porpoise bycatch under potential mitigation measure scenarios

Northeast Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)

"This document provides additional analyses and documentation about some elements of the proposed revised Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan (HPTRP). To improve compliance with the HPTRP, and to reduce and maintain harbor porpoise bycatch below the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level, the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team (HPTRT) proposed that a Consequence Closure Area be invoked if the observed 2-year average bycatch rate in an area exceeds the bycatch rate of pinger-compliant hauls observed between 1 January 1999 and 31 May 2007. Two Consequence Closures Areas were proposed. This document presents the compliant bycatch rates, evaluates the effect on total bycatch when compliant bycatch rates are realized, defines how the 2-year average bycatch rate is to be calculated, and investigates the effect of an elevated bycatch rate in one year on the 2-year bycatch rate average"--Publication's home page.

Professional Paper

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)