Characterization of bycatch in the white perch small mesh gill net fishery in upper Currituck Sound, North Carolina / by A. Blake Price.
| Author/creator | Price, A. Blake author. |
| Other author | Rulifson, Roger A. (Roger Allen), 1951- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2001. |
| Description | 75 leaves : illustrations, map ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Subject | The white perch Morone americana gill net fishery in upper Currituck Sound, North Carolina currently is under regulations that restrict seasons, mesh sizes, and net tending. The major concern is bycatch of striped bass Morone saxatilis in this fishery. The fall fishery (September through December) cannot use small mesh nets and fishers must tend nets at all times at a distance of less than or equal to 100 yards of the net. The spring fishery (January through April) also has small mesh restrictions but fishers can leave nets unattended. Commercial fishers are concerned about these restrictions, and believe that striped bass is effectively reducing catches of other important commercial species, including white perch. This study was designed to examine these concerns using a stratified random sampling design with randomly-set gillnets p̀red with nets set at sites chosen by the commercial fisher using traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of the region. Results indicated that this commercial fisherman can reduce bycatch of striped bass while maintaining catches of white perch. Most of the catch (95%) of all fishes and of striped bass (64%) were caught alive, with the numbers alive positively related to lower water temperatures and increased oxygen content of the waters. Recommendations included observer coverage for about 30% of fishing days to confirm results presented here; continuing other gill net projects within Currituck Sound and statewide for comparison of results; and dropping the mandatory net tending regulations required at the present time. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Roger Rulifson |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2001 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-35). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |