The effects of a lanthanide metal alloy on shark catch rates

Authors
Hutchinson, M., Wang, J.H., Swimmer, Y., Holland, K., Kohin, S., Dewar, H., Wraith, J., Vetter, R., Heberer, C. and Martinez, J.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Fisheries Research
Volume (Issue #)
131-133
Page #s
45-51
Contact information
melanier@hawaii.edu
Summary

Longlines with baited hooks affixed with a block of metal alloy (Nd/Pr) were tested against hooks with a lead weight attached (control), to determine their ability to repel sharks.  Two experiments were conducted in Hawaiian waters, one in the Southern California Bight (SCB) and and one in the Eastern Tropical Pacific off the coast of Eduador.  Significant differences were only found for juvenile hammerhead sharks targeted in one of the Hawaiian experiments.  No significant differences were found during experiments targeting sandbar and tiger sharks during the second Hawaiian experiment, for shortfin mako or blue sharks in the SCB, or for pelagic thresher and blue sharks off the coast of Ecuador.