Experiments in the Western Atlantic Northeast Distant Waters to Evaluate Sea Turtle Mitigation Measures in the Pelagic Longline Fishery. Report on Experiments Conducted in 2001-2003

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Citation: Watson, J.W., D. Foster, S. Epperly, and A. Shah, 2004. Experiments in the Western Atlantic Northeast Distant Waters to Evaluate Sea Turtle Mitigation Measures in the Pelagic Longline Fishery. Report on Experiments Conducted in 2001-2003. US National Marine Fisheries Service, Pascagoula, MS, USA.
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Link: http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/PDFdocs/UPR_Watson4_2004.pdf
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Summary:

Circle hooks significantly reduce loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermocheles coriacea) sea turtle bycatch in Atlantic longline fisheries. Swordfish catch decreased when circle hooks were baited with squid but increased when baited with mackerel. Tuna catch increased when circle hooks were baited with squid but decreased when baited with mackerel.
Field Studies:
Location Fishing gear Reduction technique Bycatch species Effect on bycatch species Catch Effect on target catch Type
Atlantic Hooks-and-Lines Circle hooks Sea Turtles Reduced bycatch Swordfish and tuna Effect varied by species and by bait In the wild