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 (Thunnus obesus) were not significantly different between the two set types but catch rates of sickle pomfret (Taractichthys steindachneri) were significantly higher in experimental compared to control sets. Statistically fewer wahoo, dolphinfish, blue marlin, striped marlin and shortbill spearfish (Acanthocybium solandri, Coryphaena hippurus, Makaira nigricans, Kajikia audax, and Tetrapturus angustirostris) were caught on the experimental sets.