Gulf of Maine seals - fisheries interactions and integrated research : final report

A Community Science Approach to Conservation Challenges Posed by Rebounding Marine Mammal Populations: Seal-Fishery Interactions in New England

“…The fishing community in New England has identified bycatch and depredation by harbor and gray seals as an issue of concern (Nichols et al, 2012;Rafferty et al, 2012). Gray seals in particular are of interest as their recolonization sites coincide with historically important fishing grounds in the region.…”

“…The recommendations from all participants shared common themes, including the need for collaborative research involving both the scientific and fishing communities. Workshop organizers proposed a consortium to foster collaboration among managers, researchers and the fishing community (Nichols et al, 2012), which became the Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium (nasrc.whoi.edu/sealconsortium.org). Our ongoing partnerships between scientists and fishermen studying seal/fisheries interactions (e.g., Nichols et al, 2014) helped leverage broader communication and collaboration across the fishing community, laying not only the foundation for future research, but also broadening the community conversations around issues of depredation, bycatch, and other interactions (Cammen et al, 2019).…”

Gray Seal Behavior in a Fish Weir Observed Using Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar

“…Marine mammal depredation can have significant economic costs for some fisheries from lost catch and gear damage and can cause injury or mortality to the predator from interaction with gear or deterrence methods (Read, 2005(Read, , 2008. In northeast U.S. waters, populations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus grypus) are increasing and expanding (Bogomolni et al, 2010;Waring et al, 2013), along with the potential for fishery interactions, including depredation (Baraff & Loughlin, 2000;Nichols et al, 2012). In northeast U.S. waters, populations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus grypus) are increasing and expanding (Bogomolni et al, 2010;Waring et al, 2013), along with the potential for fishery interactions, including depredation (Baraff & Loughlin, 2000;Nichols et al, 2012).…”

“…Depredation by pinnipeds, including seals and sea lions, has been reported in many fisheries worldwide (e.g., Cronin et al, 2014;David & Wickens, 2003;Königson, 2011;Shaughnessy et al, 2003;Wickens, 1995). Little research has been conducted on the nature and extent of fisheries interactions in the region, virtually none of which has addressed depredation (Baraff & Loughlin, 2000;Nichols et al, 2012), with the notable exception of a brief study of seal and dogfish depredation in a gillnet fishery (Rafferty et al, 2012). Little research has been conducted on the nature and extent of fisheries interactions in the region, virtually none of which has addressed depredation (Baraff & Loughlin, 2000;Nichols et al, 2012), with the notable exception of a brief study of seal and dogfish depredation in a gillnet fishery (Rafferty et al, 2012).…”

“…As part of an apparent recolonization following localized extirpation, increasing numbers of gray seals have been documented at haul-out sites on the islands and shoals surrounding Nantucket Sound (Waring et al, 2013). Seals have recently been observed feeding in and around fish weirs in northeastern Nantucket Sound (Nichols et al, 2012). Partially consumed catch in the weirs was attributed to gray seal depredation due to visual observations of seals surfacing in the weirs with fish and squid in their mouths during daytime fishing operations.…”