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Monkfish in the US mid-Atlantic and northeast are targeted through sink gillnets that also capture Atlantic sturgeon. Large-mesh gillnets are required to fish seasonally using tie-downs as part of the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan. This study looked at the effects of tie-downs (control: 12 meshes x 30.5 cm stretch mesh with four mesh tie-downs, experimental: same, no tie-downs) on Atlantic stureon and marine mammal bycatch.

Four types of tori-lines (long streamer, light streamer, hybrid streamer and modified light streamer) were tested for their ability to reduce seabird bycatch on commercial longline fishing vessels in the north Pacific Ocean.  Two experiments were undertaken 1) determine the frequency of bycatch of Laysan albatross for each tori-line and 2) determine mean rate of attacks for tori-lines.  In experiement 1, the mean number of seabirds appearing and the catch per unit effort (for seabirds) was not statistically different between the four tori-lines.

Two types of tori-lines (tori-line and tori-line light streamer) were tested aboard commercial and research longline vessels in the western North Pacific to determine their effectiveness for seabird avoidance.  The tori-line light streamer reduced bait-taking behavior (primarily Laysan albatross) and bycatch of seabirds (primarily Laysan albatross) compared to the tori-line.  Therefore, the tori-line light streamer is a good option for avoiding seabird bycatch in this longline fishery.