<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3UtDM5_0w6xpo7g00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3UtDM5_0w6xpo7g00" width="1024" height="538" ></figure>Protecting killer whales from trawl gear; testing “active selection systems” and excluder devicesTwo Alaska projects are among 13 in the US being recommended for bycatch reduction research.In a press release this month, NOAA Fisheries said: “Working in collaboration with fishermen and industry partners, the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP)has supported solutions to some of the top bycatch challenges facing our nation’s fisheries.”NOAA says that the “selection process, the application approval and obligation of funds is not final.” Each of the applications are being “recommended.” This is not an authorization to start the project and is not a guarantee of funding.Here are brief descriptions of all the recommended 2024 projects.<h2>UAF project aims to deter killer whales from Seattle-based bottom trawl catches</h2>The University of Alaska/Fairbanks is set to receive $197,595 for a project titled “Developing gear modifications to reduce killer whale bycatch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Amendment 80 groundfish trawl fishery.” It describes the gear modification as a device that “is a barrier across the net entrance to deter or prevent killer whales from entering. Prior to this BREP project, in May 2023, the principal investigator (PI) conducted fieldwork aboard an A80 trawl vessel fishing for deep-water flatfish, during which the PI collected acoustic and visual observations of killer whale behavior around the vessel and net. Then, the A80 vessels participating in the 2024 Bering Sea deep-water flatfish fishery, which takes place between May and September, used a first-generation gear modification developed at a flume tank in March 2024.”The University says the funding for this project “would support updates or design changes to the gear modification following the 2024 season of deep-water flatfish fishing as well as the data collection aboard vessels fishing with a second-generation gear modification in summer 2025.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1GNbSU_0w6xpo7g00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1GNbSU_0w6xpo7g00" width="768" height="526" ></figure>Another project aims to accelerate the use of “active selection systems” and excluder devicesA private company called FishNext Research, LLC stands to receive $199,998 to “accelerate adoption of active selection (ActSel) systems, improving their use through experience and familiarity, while continuing to improve the related technology.”A project description says: “This project will explore interactions between ActSel systems and different excluder designs. Finally, the project will continue to conduct education and outreach to ActSel users.”Vessels using ActSel systems will be contacted regularly to gather reactions, identify problems, and document their experience with the system, the description states. The resulting application tips, problems, and on-board evaluations will be compiled into periodic reports that will be distributed to the fleet through current users by email. The most useful of these feedback and ideas will be compiled into a continuously updated operator’s manual for training of new users. Annual reports will be made to fleet captains’ meetings of the relevant industry groups.FishNext Research LLC, founded by Dr. Craig Rose, is “a research organization that continues conservation engineering work through grants and contracts.” A write up says: “Working with Alaska Pacific University, Dr. Rose supports student research projects focusing on Alaska marine fisheries. Two recent BREP projects have developed, demonstrated, and improved ActSel, as a new way for trawlers to limit their bycatch.”<h2>Bycatch Reduction Program touts two successes</h2>NOAA Fisheries lists two programs among its recent successes: Funding studies to reduce barotrauma of reef fish through the use of descending devices. Such devices are now required to be available for use on vessels in many U.S. fisheries.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2USP1K_0w6xpo7g00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2USP1K_0w6xpo7g00" width="1024" height="597" ></figure>Credit: International Game Fish AssociationAnother success is a dual sorting flexible grid system that reduces under-sized sablefish bycatch by more than 45%, while maintaining catches of adult sablefish and other target species. Learn more from ResearchGate HERE – <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2IyqY8_0w6xpo7g00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2IyqY8_0w6xpo7g00" width="881" height="458" ></figure>At this point in the selection process, the application approval and obligation of funds is not final. Each of these applications are being “recommended.” This is not an authorization to start the project and is not a guarantee of funding.</div></body>

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Two AK projects recommended for Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Awards

Protecting killer whales from trawl gear; testing “active selection systems” and excluder devices. Two Alaska projects are among 13 in the US being recommended for bycatch reduction research. In a press release this month, NOAA Fisheries said: “Working in collaboration with fishermen and industry partners, the Bycatch Reduction...