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Summary:

Metal oxide nets containing barium sulphate (that increased their acoustic reflectivity and probably also their stiffness) reduced the bycatch of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in an eastern Canada demersal gillnet fishery. No difference in catch of commercial fish species, including cod (Gadus morhua), pollock (Pollachius virens), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), was observed between the nylon and barium sulphate nets. Metal oxide nets reduced the bycatch of greater shearwater (Puffinus gravis) in an eastern Canada demersal gillnet fishery, probably by increasing the visibility of the blue-dyed nets to the birds.

Summary:

An underwater setting funnel, used in conjunction with a bird-scaring line, reduced bycatch of albatross and petrel seabirds in the demersal longline fishery for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) off of the sub-Antarctic South African Prince Edward Islands. Although catch was not compared between sets with and without the funnel, it is predicted fish catch would improve with the use of the funnels as fishing would be permitted during the day in addition to current nighttime fishing.

Summary: Streamers added to the warp line of trawl gear reduce bycatch of seabirds attempting to feed on or near trawl fishing gear.

Summary: A warp cable modification (plastic cone attached to each warp cable) reduced seabird bycatch in the high-sea Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) trawl fishery. The two most abundantly captured seabirds prior to the attachment of plastic cones were the Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) and the Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys).

Summary:

School shark (Galeorhinus galeus) liver oil dripped behind fishing vessels in the northern New Zealand snapper (Pagrus auratus) longline fishery reduced seabird numbers and dives on baits when compared to canola oil and seawater control treatments. The shark liver oil did not affect the number of target snapper, gurnard (Chelidonicthys kumu), kaha-wai (Arripis trutta), or trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) caught.

Summary: Three seabird bycatch mitigation measures, tori lines, warp scarer, and Brady baffler, were tested on trawlers and compared with a control treatment of no mitigation measure. Each mitigation measure reduced seabird mortalities; however, the tori lines, followed by the warp scarer, were much more effective at reducing seabird contact with fishing gear than the Brady baffler.

Summary: Bird-scaring lines, underwater setting and line shooters all reduced the incidental capture of seabirds, with bird-scaring lines being the most effective. These mitigation measures also reduced bait loss and increased the catch rates of target species.

Summary: Bird-scaring lines, underwater setting and line shooters all reduced the incidental capture of seabirds, with bird-scaring lines being the most effective. These mitigation measures also reduced bait loss and increased the catch rates of target species.

Summary: Bird-scaring lines, underwater setting and line shooters all reduced the incidental capture of seabirds, with bird-scaring lines being the most effective. These mitigation measures also reduced bait loss and increased the catch rates of target species.