A novel approach for estimating location and scale specific fishing exploitation rates of eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

•Acoustic data collected opportunistically from commercial fishing vessels were used to explore eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) spatial dynamics.•Depletion models fit to opportunistic acoustic and catch data were used to estimate pollock biomass across a range of spatial scales.•At large scales exploitation rates were consistent with population-wide targets but at smaller scales rates varied relative to the target.•In 2002 through 2005, exploitation rates within identified Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) critical habitat areas exceeded rates outside. Acoustic data collected opportunistically from eastern Bering Sea (EBS) walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) fishing vessels were used within spatially explicit Leslie depletion models to estimate local exploitation rates. Although stock-wide EBS pollock fishery exploitation rates are generally at or below management objectives (∼6% for the winter fishery), there has been a concern that local fishing may impact forage opportunities needed for the recovery of the endangered Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). This study used high-resolution fishery information which suggests that on scales from 100km2 to 2500km2 exploitation rates often exceed the area-wide rates. In 2002 through 2005, higher exploitation rates occurred within the area defined as Steller sea lion critical habitat. This study provides a highly resolved quantitative assessment of location-specific fishing impacts, and is an important step in determining a rational approach to monitoring and managing fishing activities while taking into account ecosystem concerns.