On the down side, the test also showed a reduction of the catch of the target species, cod, of 20 to 30 percent. However, preliminary data shows the cod that are escaping are mostly smaller, less valuable fish that are best returned to the sea, according to Gauvin.

Gauvin noted all the results are considered preliminary and more analysis of the data will occur over the coming weeks to identify important factors affecting halibut and cod escapement. This will include a more detailed examination of size gradients for cod escapement and a breakdown of the escapement rate for halibut of different sizes.

The researchers also are interested in how tow-by-tow halibut escapement rates are affected by the cod catch rates for those tows. Once the analysis is complete, the draft report will be reviewed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee.

The need for such a device was apparent because of an increase in halibut bycatch in the fall Gulf of Alaska cod fishery. This was due to an increase in halibut abundance around Kodiak and regulations intended to protect sea lions. While cod fishing is best in the winter and spring when the fish are tightly schooled, part of the season was shifted to the fall so it would not interfere with sea lion feeding. In the fall, however, the cod are dispersed, resulting in longer tows and increased bycatch rates of halibut.

High bycatch rates have resulted in premature closures for the fall trawl fishery in recent years, prompting the Kodiak-based Alaska Dragger's Association to enlist MCAF to work with them on a device that would exclude a significant amount of the halibut while retaining most of the cod. The device needed to be flexible enough to be wound on a net reel.

A preliminary design used slot panels made from fiberglass rods, but fishermen thought these rods were too rigid to be wound on a reel. Instead, they suggested using electrical cable known as "third wire" that is flexible enough to be wound around the net roller but would remain rigid under the tension of being towed.

John McCarthy, captain of the Kodiak trawler Pacific Star, and Mirek Lenda, a Kodiak net manufacturer, developed a way to utilize the scrap wire by lashing it into sturdy slotted panels.

Gauvin noted more work is needed to test and fine tune the design before it can be widely adopted by the fleet. A more detailed description of the excluders and testing methods can be found online at www.marineconservationalliance.org/.

Cristy Fry has commercial fished in Homer since 1978. She also designs and builds gear for the industry. She currently longlines for halibut and gillnets salmon in upper Cook Inlet aboard the F/V Realist. She can be reached at cristy-fry@excite.com.