b'C H A P T E R N I N EPointing toward FCWs 2001 annual meeting, the Hook Fishermens organization suggested that bycatch could be a critical subject to take up there. FCW agreed, and the wheels began turning on planning the August 9 event. CCCHFAs communications coordinator, Melissa Roberts Weidman, energized a drive to tell her mem K W Mark your calendar!bers about the meeting. And for FCW, director Jim BlankenshipYour Board of Directors is pleased to announce the2001 Annual Meetingunreeled various promotional lures. Thursday, August 9 at 7:30 PMMeanwhile, Paul Parkers team setForgeron Room, Eldredge Public Libraryabout lining up a panel of experts,HELP LAUNCH OUR NEW INITIATIVE ONand they were impressive.3 CHATHAM FISHERIES EDUCATIONIn cooperation with the When the annual meetingCape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermens Association arrived, the assembled panelists gotwe will present a panel discussion onright to the point. Dr. AnthonyBycatch!Is there a solution?Chatwin told his listeners that inWhat can be done about Bycaich, the indiscriminate catching of fish and other marine life other than those a fishing vessel intends to capture?1999, the amount of bycatchWhat is the impact of Bycatch on the marine environment, the supply of fish and the future economy of fishing communities like Chatham?equaled the total world catch forwhat are practical solutions? What is being done now to address the problem? How can interested persons get involved?1950. It will always happen inThe Pane! of Expertsfishing, he added, but we have toDr. Anthony ChatwinStaff Scientist, Conservation Law Foundationmanage that bycatch.One of theDr. David PierceDeputy Director, Massachusetts Division of Marine FisheriesChris ClassManomet Center for Conservation Sciencesbiggest difficulties, said Pappalardo,John PappalardoPolicy Analyst, CCCHFAhas been that this discard phenom Moderator: Melissa Roberts Weidman, Communications Director, CCCHFAenon is something that is generallyFCWs flyer for its 2001 annual meeting not documented. Hence, theincluded this invitation to members and industry badly needed a better flowothers to attend and learn something about of information, because, as panelistthe regrettable phenomenon of bycatch, the David Pierce echoed, the bycatchpart of a fishermans haul that is tossed back problem locally is severe. and very likely destroyed.What were possible solutions?For one, netting information on what is actually happening at sea. Then, the panelagreed, gear modifications.with the cooperation of fishermen.Further, there should be efforts to promote a different type of fishing .that has less impact on the ocean bottom (and) deals with this discard problem. That better way, said one expert, would be hook fishing. Beyond that, the need for more data from the fleet afloat could be met, panelists concurred, by having a wide-spread observer coverage program (with) individuals who go out to sea with fishermen (to) record what is caught and what is discarded.156'