Post release mortality in commercial and recreational fishing gear

When fish are captured, they are either retained for human consumption or released back into the their environment. The unwanted fish that are released (discarded) are termed bycatch. James’ research aims at understanding how both commercial and recreational fishing capture/handling methods affect the survival of those fish and how we can develop methods/techniques to increase their survival upon release. This information is important because it can be used to help establish effective management measures for fish species. Past and present projects include:

· Quantifying and reducing post-release mortality for Dusky sharks discarded in the commercial pelagic longline fishery.

· Determining the discard mortality rate and best capture-handling methods for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) captured in the Gulf of Maine commercial lobster industry.

· Evaluating the Condition and Discard Mortality of Scallops Following Capture and Handling in the Sea Scallop Dredge Fishery

· Evaluating the Condition and Discard Mortality of Winter Skate, Leucoraja ocellata, Following Capture and Handling in the Sink Gillnet Fishery

· Evaluating the Condition and Discard Mortality of Skates Following Capture and Handling in the Sea Scallop Dredge Fishery:

· Elucidating post-release mortality and “best capture and handling” methods in sublegal Atlantic cod discarded in Gulf of Maine recreational hook fisheries.

· The Immediate and Short-Term Post-Release Mortality of Species in the Northwest Atlantic Skate Complex Captured by Gillnet and Otter-Trawl.

· Quantifying and reducing post-release mortality for Mako sharks discarded in the commercial pelagic longline fishery.

· Quantifying and reducing post-release mortality for Porbeagle sharks discarded in the commercial rod and real fishery fishery.