Evidence for a fisher-designed solution to manta and devil ray bycatch in tuna fisheries

Authors
Cronin, M.R., Murua, J., Croll, D.A., Hutchinson, M., Lezama-Ochoa, N., Lopez, J., Murua, H., Palacios, M.D., Restrepo, V., Stewart, J.D., Swimmer, Y., Zilliacus, K.M., and G. Moreno
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Conservation Biology
Volume (Issue #)
e70150
Contact information
Melissa R. Cronin, School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 836 S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford MA 02740, USA. Email: melissa.cronin@umassd.edu
Summary

A mobuilid sorting grid placed over the hopper used to sort bycatch on tuna purse seine vessels aided in the release of larger mobuilid rays without increasing handling time.  

Field Studies

Evidence for a fisher-designed solution to manta and devil ray bycatch in tuna fisheries

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Pacific Ocean
Target catch
skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)
Effect on bycatch species
Of the 21 individuals released during the study, use of sorting grid allowed fishers to release larger mobuilids without increasing handling time.
Effect on target catch
None. Sorting grids in study were implemented post-capture at the hopper.
Bycatch species
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear