Fishing methods to reduce sea turtle mortality associated with pelagic longlines

Location
Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Article
Fishing methods to reduce sea turtle mortality associated with pelagic longlines
Target catch
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and tuna
Study Type
Field study in the wild
Effect on target catch
Circle hooks and mackerel bait had no negative impact on swordfish catch
Effect on bycatch species
Circle hooks also reduced the rate of hook ingestion by loggerhead sea turtles. The combination of circle hooks and mackerel (Scomber scombrus) bait was the most effective in reducing sea turtle bycatch and had no negative effect on swordfish catch. Logge
Bycatch species
Sea Turtles
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Demochelys coriacea (Leatherback sea turtle)
Fishing Gear
Hooks and Lines
Reduction technique
Alternative bait
Circle hooks