Gear Innovation Initiative
Alaska pollock fishery operators have launched a comprehensive, multi-year research project to better understand pelagic trawl gear interaction with the seafloor habitat. The Gear Innovation Initiative represents an unprecedented level of collaboration across Alaska’s entire pollock trawl fleet and its fishermen.
A THREE-STAGE PROJECT
Already underway, the project uses applied research and empirical data to provide more accurate understanding of habitat disturbances by:
This initiative will improve assessments of pelagic trawl gear habitat disturbance to support fishery management decisions, and aid the fleet in refining their gear to achieve conservation gains as necessary.
A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT
“The Gear Innovation Initiative helps ensure that pollock fishing gear impact evaluations and resulting management policies are based on current, accurate and transparent gear information.”
Brad Harris, Ph.D.
Professor of Marine & Environmental Sciences FAST Lab Director, Alaska Pacific University
