Characterization of Protected Species Bycatch in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Penaeid Otter Trawl, Rock Shrimp, and Skimmer Trawl Fisheries Based on Mandatory Observer Coverage from 2007 to 2019.

From 2007 to 2019, the southeastern U.S. shrimp fishery's mandatory observer program has collectively observed 1,766 U.S. Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. Atlantic penaeid otter trawl, rock shrimp, and skimmer trawl trips. During observed shrimp trips, the program documented interactions with sea turtles, marine mammals, sawfish, giant manta rays, sturgeons, and seabirds. Spatial and temporal distribution of sea turtle interactions manifested higher numbers of mortalities off the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, and the southern waters of west Florida. Of the 280 sea turtles captured, 233 were alive at release. Marine mammal interactions, though low in number (n =16), resulted in near-total mortality. Habitat range of sawfish overlapped with fishery effort, resulting in captures (n =17) off Florida's coast with over 50% being released alive. Documentation of giant manta ray interactions began in 2019 and showed a higher occurrence in the southeastern U.S. Atlantic shrimp fishery relative to Gulf shrimp. The Gulf shrimp fishery off Louisiana and the southeastern U.S. Atlantic shrimp fishery off the coasts of the Carolinas and Georgia reported the capture of 14 sturgeons with close to 80% survival rate at release. Reporting of all captured seabird species was required; however, reports were low totaling 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]