Reducing incidental mortality of seabirds with an underwater longline setting funnel

An underwater setting funnel, used in conjunction with a bird-scaring line, reduced bycatch of albatross and petrel seabirds in the demersal longline fishery for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) off of the sub-Antarctic South African Prince Edward Islands. Although fish rates were not compared between sets with and without the funnel, it is predicted fish catch would improve with the use of the funnels as fishing would be permitted during the day in addition to current nighttime fishing.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
South Africa	Hooks-and-Lines	Sub-surface sets	Seabirds	Reduced bycatch	Patagonian toothfish		In the wild