Three additional analyses were conducted to evaluate potential impacts of the codend mesh size increase on the Loligo fishery.
The analyses utilized data from the study as well as Loligo landings and length data obtained from the Commercial Fisheries Database System maintained by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The analyses included data for 1997–2008 because reporting of Loligo landings and purchase prices (i.e., ex-vessel value) were mandatory during this period. As described in Section 2.2, the Loligo fleet was defined using the regulatory definition of a directed trip.