Weak links/ropes

©Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, 2017

The incorporation of rope attachments manufactured to break at a strength lower than that of the rope used, or otherwise reducing the breaking strength of lines used in fishing.

Displaying 1 - 8 of 8

Simulation of the entanglement of a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) with fixed fishing gear.

Study Type:

Study in the lab

Location:

Target catch:

Lobster, crab, whelk, hagfish

Effect on bycatch species:

N/A

Effect on target catch:

N/A

Article:

Simulation of the entanglement of a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) with fixed fishing gear.

Bycatch species:

Eubalaena glacialis (NA Right whale)

Reduction technique:

Weak links/ropes

Fishing Gear:

Traps

Development and Evaluation of Reduced Breaking Strength Rope to Reduce Large Whale Entanglement Severity

Study Type:

Field study in the wild

Location:

New England

Target catch:

Lobster, Whelk, Black Sea Bass

Effect on bycatch species:

Indeterminate given rarity of encounters

Effect on target catch:

None

Article:

Development and Evaluation of Reduced Breaking Strength Rope to Reduce Large Whale Entanglement Severity

Bycatch species:

Large Cetaceans (maximum length > 7.5 meters)

Reduction technique:

Weak links/ropes

Fishing Gear:

Traps

Bycatch Reduction Techniques Fact Sheets

A summary of bycatch reduction techniques

Acoustic deterrent devices, including pingers, 2017
Whale-release rope, 2020

Acoustic Deterrents 2017.pdf

Whale-release rope overview 2020.pdf

2008 Supplement to the large whale gear research summary

Study Type:

Summary study

Location:

Northwest Atlantic

Target catch:

N/A

Effect on bycatch species:

N/A

Effect on target catch:

N/A

Article:

2008 Supplement to the large whale gear research summary

Bycatch species:

Large Cetaceans (maximum length > 7.5 meters)

Reduction technique:

Weak links/ropes

Fishing Gear:

Non-specific

2006 Supplement to the large whale gear research summary

Study Type:

Summary study

Location:

Northwest Atlantic

Target catch:

N/A

Effect on bycatch species:

N/A

Effect on target catch:

N/A

Article:

2006 Supplement to the large whale gear research summary

Bycatch species:

Large Cetaceans (maximum length > 7.5 meters)

Reduction technique:

Weak links/ropes

Fishing Gear:

Non-specific

2003 Supplement to the large whale gear research summary

Study Type:

Summary study

Location:

Northwest Atlantic

Target catch:

n/a

Effect on bycatch species:

n/a

Effect on target catch:

n/a

Article:

2003 Supplement to the large whale gear research summary

Bycatch species:

Large Cetaceans (maximum length > 7.5 meters)

Reduction technique:

Fishing Gear:

Traps

Large whale gear research summary

Study Type:

Summary study

Location:

Northwest Atlantic

Target catch:

N/A

Effect on bycatch species:

N/A

Effect on target catch:

N/A

Article:

Large whale gear research summary

Bycatch species:

Large Cetaceans (maximum length > 7.5 meters)

Reduction technique:

Fishing Gear:

Traps

Implications of fishing rope strength on the severity of large whale entanglements

Study Type:

Field study in the wild

Location:

US East Coast and Canadian Maritimes

Target catch:

Various

Effect on bycatch species:

Ropes with a breaking strength of 1,700 lbs or less could reduce life-threatening entanglements of North Atlantic Right whales by at least 72%. Right and humpback were entangled in ropes with stronger breaking strength than those involving minke whales.

Effect on target catch:

N/A

Article:

Effects of fishing rope strength on the severity of large whale entanglements

Bycatch species:

Reduction technique:

Weak links/ropes

Fishing Gear:

Traps