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Field Study 561

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Baltic
Target catch
None reported
Effect on bycatch species
Pingers significantly reduced echolocation encounter rates by 50-100% at 500m; sighting reduced up to 375m. Porpoise return time was 6 hrs when pingers were silent after being active for 24 hrs 50 min
Effect on target catch
None reported
Bycatch species
Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters)
Phocoena phocoena (Harbor porpoise)
Reduction technique
Acoustic deterrent devices
Fishing Gear
Gillnets

Field Study 561

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Baltic
Target catch
None reported
Effect on bycatch species
Pingers significantly reduced echolocation encounter rates by 50-100% at 500m; sighting reduced up to 375m. Porpoise return time was 6 hrs when pingers were silent after being active for 24 hrs 50 min
Effect on target catch
None reported
Bycatch species
Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters)
Phocoena phocoena (Harbor porpoise)
Reduction technique
Acoustic deterrent devices
Fishing Gear
Gillnets

"Weak" Circle Hook Requirement Proposed in Hawaii

NMFS is recommending that "weak" circle hooks, sized 16/0 or smaller, be required in the Hawaii-based deep-set longline fishery. "Weak" hooks are designed to retain the target catch, but release larger bycatch, like false killer whales (or bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico or pilot whales in North Carolina). The hooks release larger animals by straightening out when the animal puts tension on the line.

In July, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) posted the Draft False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan, which proposes new regulations to protect false killer whales in Hawaii, which are currently being considered for listing as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Hawaiian false killer whale population has drastically declined over the last two decades.

Agenda

Draft Agenda

WORKSHOP ON TECHNIQUES FOR REDUCING
MARINE MAMMAL-GILLNET BYCATCH
Woods Hole, MA USA
October 17-20, 2011

October 16 (6:30 pm) Meet and Greet

October 17 am: Session 1 Paper Presentations
THE CONTEXT

9 am     Introductory Remarks

9:15      Dr. Randall Reeves, K. McClellan, T. Werner - Global overview of marine mammal vulnerability to risheries bycatch

New York Times: "Fishing Gear is Altered to Ease Collateral Costs to Marine Life"


The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch has been featured in the August 22, 2011 New York Times Science article, "Fishing Gear is Altered to Ease Collateral Costs to Marine Life".  

"The seafood on your plate is not the only animal that gave its life to feed you," is one of the messages from Tim Werner, the director of the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction. While fishing for tuna, lobster, or other tasty seafood, we catch, injure, and kill other fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, and invertebrates.


The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch has been featured in the August 22, 2011 New York Times Science article, "Fishing Gear is Altered to Ease Collateral Costs to Marine Life".  

Boston Globe Editorial on Bycatch

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction was recently featured in an August 27, 2011 editorial in the Boston Globe, "Saving Millions of Fish".

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction was recently featured in an August 27, 2011 editorial in the Boston Globe, "Saving Millions of Fish".

Fishermen and conservationists both want to avoid bycatch. The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction, based at the New England Aquarium, brings together fishermen and scientists to work together to find ways to reduce bycatch without negatively impacting fisheries.

Field Study 567

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South Africa
Target catch
tuna
Effect on bycatch species
The mean total attack rate was similar for each design but diving birds attacked further astern in response to both tori line types compared to surface foraging birds. The "hybrid" line did not allow attacks by divers within 50 m but the "light" line al
Effect on target catch
None reported
Bycatch species
Seabirds
Reduction technique
Bird-scaring devices
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 567

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South Africa
Target catch
tuna
Effect on bycatch species
The mean total attack rate was similar for each design but diving birds attacked further astern in response to both tori line types compared to surface foraging birds. The "hybrid" line did not allow attacks by divers within 50 m but the "light" line al
Effect on target catch
None reported
Bycatch species
Seabirds
Reduction technique
Bird-scaring devices
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 567

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South Africa
Target catch
tuna
Effect on bycatch species
The mean total attack rate was similar for each design but diving birds attacked further astern in response to both tori line types compared to surface foraging birds. The "hybrid" line did not allow attacks by divers within 50 m but the "light" line al
Effect on target catch
None reported
Bycatch species
Seabirds
Reduction technique
Bird-scaring devices
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 570

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South-western Atlantic Ocean
Target catch
Tuna, blue sharks, swordfish
Effect on bycatch species
The incidental capture of loggerhead sea turtles was reduced by 55% and for leatherback sea turtles by 65% when circle hooks were used.
Effect on target catch
Catch rates of targeted species including bigeye and albacore tuna and blue sharks were increased with the use of circle hooks, while no difference was found for yellowfin tuna, shortfin mako or hammerhead sharks or for dolphinfish.
Bycatch species
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Demochelys coriacea (Leatherback sea turtle)
Reduction technique
Circle hooks
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 570

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South-western Atlantic Ocean
Target catch
Tuna, blue sharks, swordfish
Effect on bycatch species
The incidental capture of loggerhead sea turtles was reduced by 55% and for leatherback sea turtles by 65% when circle hooks were used.
Effect on target catch
Catch rates of targeted species including bigeye and albacore tuna and blue sharks were increased with the use of circle hooks, while no difference was found for yellowfin tuna, shortfin mako or hammerhead sharks or for dolphinfish.
Bycatch species
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Demochelys coriacea (Leatherback sea turtle)
Reduction technique
Circle hooks
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 570

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South-western Atlantic Ocean
Target catch
Tuna, blue sharks, swordfish
Effect on bycatch species
The incidental capture of loggerhead sea turtles was reduced by 55% and for leatherback sea turtles by 65% when circle hooks were used.
Effect on target catch
Catch rates of targeted species including bigeye and albacore tuna and blue sharks were increased with the use of circle hooks, while no difference was found for yellowfin tuna, shortfin mako or hammerhead sharks or for dolphinfish.
Bycatch species
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Demochelys coriacea (Leatherback sea turtle)
Reduction technique
Circle hooks
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 570

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
South-western Atlantic Ocean
Target catch
Tuna, blue sharks, swordfish
Effect on bycatch species
The incidental capture of loggerhead sea turtles was reduced by 55% and for leatherback sea turtles by 65% when circle hooks were used.
Effect on target catch
Catch rates of targeted species including bigeye and albacore tuna and blue sharks were increased with the use of circle hooks, while no difference was found for yellowfin tuna, shortfin mako or hammerhead sharks or for dolphinfish.
Bycatch species
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Demochelys coriacea (Leatherback sea turtle)
Reduction technique
Circle hooks
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines

Field Study 574

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
northwest Pacific Ocean
Target catch
Pelagic species
Effect on bycatch species
None reported
Effect on target catch
There were no significant differences in catch rates between hook types but squid bait caught significantly more blue and silky sharks and dolphinfish.
Reduction technique
Circle hooks
Fishing Gear
Hooks-and-Lines
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