Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Green Sturgeon in 2002-21 U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries

Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) are sometimes unintentionally caught in fisheries that target other species. This report estimates the number of green sturgeon that have been caught as bycatch in select U.S. West Coast fisheries between 2002 and 2021, in accordance with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Biological Opinion (BiOp) on Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery. Specifically, this report focuses on bycatch in federally managed fisheries that carry on-board fisheries observers or electronic monitoring equipment under the West Coast Groundfish Observer, the At-Sea Hake Observer, and the Electronic Monitoring Programs.