Experiment to Evaluate Gear Modification on Rates of Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Swordfish Longline Fishery in the Azores Phase 2
Year:
2003
Journal/Publisher Name:
Final Project Report submitted to the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, University of Florida, Gainesville Circle hooks (non-offset 16/0 and 18/0) did not significantly reduce the number of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) caught in the Azores longline swordfish and blue shark fishery when compared with non-offset and offset 9/0 J hooks. Use of circle hooks decreased the rate of throat hooking in loggerhead sea turtles. Circle hooks (non-offset 16/0 and 18/0) caught significantly more blue sharks than J hooks in the Azores longline swordfish and blue shark fisheries. There was no significant difference in the number of blue sharks caught on the 16/0 and 18/0 circle hooks.
| Location | Fishing gear | Reduction technique | Bycatch species | Effect on bycatch species | Catch | Effect on target catch | Type |
| Azores | Hooks-and-Lines | Circle hooks | Sea Turtles | Did not reduce bycatch | Swordfish and blue shark | Increased blue shark catch when compared to J hooks | In the wild |