SEASWAP

Sperm whales have learned to take sablefish off commercial fishing gear in the Gulf of Alaska. This behavior is known as depredation and is risky for whales and fishermen and results in economic loss in catch. Fishermen approached scientists regarding these interactions and SEASWAP was formed in 2003. The goal of SEASWAP is to understand the complex relationship between sperm whales and fishermen and to recommend strategies to reduce these interactions... Depredation, or the removal of fish from a longline, by sperm whales has created economic loss to fishermen, incurring added costs of fuel, crew, and gear. Entanglement in fishing gear is a risk to the whales and hazardous to boat crews. Additionally, depredation on the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's (AFSC) sablefish longline survey in the Gulf of Alaska is becoming frequent enough that it may be affecting population indices derived from the survey. Through cooperative research with fishermen, government fisheries managers, and..

Primary location: Anchorage United States