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The use of blue-dyed squid bait on pelagic longlines was tested to determine its ability to reduce both surface and subsurface interactions with seabirds.  In addition, blue-dyed fish bait was tested for its ability to reduce seabird strikes at the surface.

Tests were conducted aboard pelagic longline vessels in the Bay of Bengal to determine if there were differences in the catch composition, catch rate, hooking position or length frequency of target and bycatch species caught with circle and J-hooks.  Circle hooks caught similar percentages of both target (46.7%) and bycatch (53.3%) species, while J-hooks caught a higher percentage of bycatch (74.5%) species.  Catch rates for the target species were higher for circle hooks (2.2 individuals/1,000 hooks) compared to J-hooks (1.9 individuals/1,000 hooks).  In contrast, catch rate

Pelagic longlines were weighted with lead weights, enabling them to fish deeper in the water column than traditional pelagic longlines.  Weighted longlines caught 31 target species with a slightly higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 1.3 fish/100 hooks (49 kg/100 hooks) compared to traditional gear (38 target species and a CPUE of 1.08 fish/100 hooks or 41 kg/100 hooks).  Bigeye tuna CPUE for the weighted gear was higher, 0.95 fish/100 hooks (36 kg/100 hooks), than for traditional gear, 0.56/100 hooks (21 kg/100 hooks).  Swordfish CPUE was very similar for weighted (0.3 fis

The number of floats and hanging ratio of trammel nets were altered in two experimental nets and compared to a standard trammel net to determine the impact on reducing the bycatch of purple dye murex, mantis shrimp and crabs.  The first experimental net had more floats than the control net in addition to a guarding net and the second experimental net had the same number of floats as the control net, with the addition of a guarding net.  During the first trial only experimental net 1 and the control net were compared and in the second trial all three nets were compared.  Durin