Experiment to Evaluate Gear Modification on Rates of Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Swordfish Longline Fishery in the Azores

Authors:

Bolten, A. and K. Bjorndal

Year:

2002

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) caught significantly more blue sharks than J hooks in the Azores longline swordfish and blue shark fisheries.
Field Studies:

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		Swordfish and blue shark	Increased target catch	In the wild