Fishing methods to reduce sea turtle mortality associated with pelagic longlines

18/0 circle hooks when compared with J hooks significantly reduce loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermocheles coriacea) sea turtle bycatch in Atlantic longline fisheries for pelagic swordfish. Circle hooks also reduced the rate of hook ingestion by loggerhead sea turtles. The combination of circle hooks and mackerel bait was the most effective in reducing sea turtle bycatch and had no negative effect on swordfish catch. Use of novel bait species (mackerel instead of squid bait) reduced loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermocheles coriacea) sea turtle bycatch in the Atlantic longline swordfish fishery. The combination of circle hooks and mackerel bait was the most effective in reducing sea turtle bycatch and had no negative effect on swordfish catch. Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) bycatch in the Atlantic longline fishery increased with an increase in total soak time. Soak time was insignificant for swordfish but it was significant for bigeye tuna.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
United States	Hooks-and-Lines	Circle hooks	Sea Turtles	Reduced bycatch and hook ingestion	Swordfish	No negative effect	In the wild
United States	Hooks-and-Lines	Novel bait species	Sea Turtles	Reduced bycatch	Swordfish	No negative effect	In the wild
United States	Hooks-and-Lines	Decreased soak time	Sea Turtles	Increased soak time increased bycatch	Swordfish and tuna	Insignificant for swordfish but significant for bigeye tuna	In the wild