Bycatch on cold water coral by Korean trawl fisheries in the Emperor Seamounts from 2013-2016

Bycatch Information on VME indicator taxa collected by Korean trawl fisheries is described here based on the scientific observer data from 2013-2016. Two trawlers operated in 2014-2015, and one trawler operated in 2015-2016. Scientific observers were in five out of six fishing trip over those 4 years, which indicates over 80% observer coverage. They observed 78% of a total 856 hauls, and VME indicator taxa were measured from over 45% of the total hauls. The maximum bycatch weight was 5.12 kg in 2014. In 2013-2014, the most dominate by weight among the indicator taxa was the order Antipatharia (79%), followed by the order Gorgonacea (16%). However, the proportions of Gorgonacea (58%) and Antipatharia (42%) were relatively similar in 2015-2016. There were only 2% bycatch of the order Scleractinia and Alcyonacea.