Deep-sea Trawl Fisheries of the Southeast and Gulf of Mexico - Oceana

Report | September, 2009

Deep-sea Trawl Fisheries of the Southeast and Gulf of Mexico

 

Although most bottom trawl and dredge fisheries in the southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico stay close to shore, three trawl fisheries have developed in the deep sea in search of rock shrimp, royal red shrimp and calico scallops.

This report provides a snapshot of each fishery for consideration in their future management, based on information from the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council documents, scientific literature, and interviews with fishermen, seafood dealers, restaurants, council staff and staff of NOAA Fisheries. It also includes maps of potential habitat and core fishing grounds based on this information.