Effects of eliminating shallow hooks from tuna longline sets on target and non-target species in the Hawaii-based pelagic tuna fishery

Authors
Beverly, S., Curran, D., Musyl, M. and Molony, B.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Fisheries Research
Volume (Issue #)
96
Page #s
281-288
Contact information
Michael.Musyl@noaa.gov
Summary

Tests were conducted in the Hawaii-based tuna longline fishery to determine if removing the shallowest hooks from pelagic longline sets would maximize the catches of target species while minimizing the incidental catch of non-target species.  Catch rates of bigeye tuna were not significantly different between the two set types but catch rates of sickle pomfret were significantly higher in experimental compared to control sets.  Statistically fewer wahoo, dolphinfish, blue marlin, striped marlin and shortbill spearfish were caught on the experimental sets.