Evaluation of the Catch Performance of the Nmfs Flounder Turtle Excluder Device (ted) with a Large Opening

...................................................................................................................... iv INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 METHODS ......................................................................................................................... 2 RESULTS 3 Field Observations .......................................................................................................... 3 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................. 5 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................. 7 LITERATURE CITED ....................................................................................................... 7 Figure 1. A diagram of the NMFS flounder TED, showing all dimensions in inches. .... 8 Figure 2. Chart showing the locations of the starting points of all tows conducted during Leg 1, 2 and 3 respectively of the study ........................................................... 9 Figure 3. Photograph of accumulated scallops ahead of the TED, that have not moved back into the codend before haulback............................................................. 10 Figure 4. Scallops in the rear section of the belly of the trawl that did not make it back to the TED extension section, and therefore did not pass into the codend ..... 10 Figure 5. Length-frequency distribution of scallop shell height for Leg 1 .................... 11 Figure 6. Length-frequency distribution of scallop shell height for Leg 2 .................... 11 Figure 7. Length-frequency distribution of scallop shell height for Leg 3 .................... 11 Table 1. Latitude and longitude of the starting locations of all experimental tows in Legs 1, 2 and 3 ................................................................................................ 12 Table 2. Scallop catch weights for Leg 1 of the study. Catch weights are in pounds, and are for scallops in the shell.............................................................................. 13 Table 3. Total catch weights for Leg 1 of the study ..................................................... 14 Table 4. Skate catch weights for Leg 1 of the study ..................................................... 14 Table 5. Scallop catch weights for Leg 2 of the study.................................................. 15 Table 6. Total catch weights for Leg 2 of the study ..................................................... 15 Table 7. Skate catch weights for Leg 2 of the study ..................................................... 15 Table 8. Scallop catch weights for Leg 3 of the study.................................................. 16 Table 9. Total catch weights for Leg 3 of the study ..................................................... 16 Table 10. Skate catch weights for Leg 3 of the study ..................................................... 16