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Book (series)Bycatch in longline fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species: a global review of status and mitigation measures 2014
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No results found.This publication is the third in a series on bycatch in global tuna fisheries. Dealing with longline fisheries, its scope is defined taxonomically to comprise only non-tuna and non-tuna-like species. The history of longline fishing illustrates the role of new technologies, the expansion of fishing grounds, and the operational characteristics of the fleets in shaping today’s fishery. More recently, management regulations, the price of oil, the cost of labour, and market demand have also exerted a n influence. No more than 23 percent of the tuna in each ocean is longline-caught. However, there may be up to 7 500 tuna longliners globally with almost 60 percent of them less than 24 m in length. Available data suggest that elasmobranch catches have fallen 14 percent since their peak in 2003. In longline fisheries, shark catch rates may be determined by bait type, soak time, hook shape, leader length and material, depth at which the hook is fished, and whether special gear is deployed to targ et sharks. Vulnerability to hooking, and resilience to haulback and handling, vary by species, size, area and fleet operational practices. Tuna regional fisheries management organizations (t-RFMOs) assess the status of shark populations but data limitations often hinder firm conclusions. There is little information on the implementation or effectiveness of finning bans and no-retention measures. Mitigation measures have been tested but results vary. Six of the seven species of sea turtles are th reatened with extinction, and while longline fisheries may have less impact than net-based fisheries, significant populationlevel impacts may be occurring in some regions. The greatest concern is associated with loggerhead–longline interactions in the Atlantic. Circle hooks and using finfish bait have proved effective mitigation techniques either by reducing hooking or hook swallowing. Other methods require further development. Interactions with pelagic longline fisheries kill 50 000–100 000 sea birds annually. Many of these species, particularly albatrosses, are threatened with extinction. Recent advances in tracking technologies have facilitated mapping of where interactions are most likely. The Western and Central Pacific contains more than 45 percent of the global total albatross and giant petrel breeding distributions. The most promising mitigation methods appear to be night setting, side-setting, line weighting and streamer lines, but further research is needed. All five t-RFMOs r equire use of one or more of these methods in areas that overlap albatross distributions. However, compliance data are limited and improved observer coverage is essential. Marine mammals’ interactions with longline fisheries are detrimental to the fishery but may be positive or negative for the mammals. Although it is often unclear which species are involved, pilot whale interactions in the western Atlantic and false killer whale interactions off Hawaii have triggered national mitigation plans. No t-RFMO has adopted management measures for marine mammal interactions. Research and testing of mitigation measures continue in order to ameliorate both marine mammal impacts and economic losses to industry from depredation. At least 650 species of other bony fishes may be caught in association with pelagic longline fisheries, e.g. dolphinfish, opah, oilfish, escolar and ocean sunfish. Some of these stocks are important as local food supplies. However, it is unclear whether these stocks or the ecosystem they help structure is at risk. More attention should focus on improving fishery statistics and initiating basic monitoring of these stocks’ status. The diversity of pelagic longline gear designs and fishing methods, the variety of habitats they are deployed in, the thousands of marine species they may interact with, v and the different mechanisms and behaviours that govern those interactions provide an array of topics to be addressed in any discussion of bycatch mitigation. Scientifi c and technical issues in mitigation including effects across taxa, effects of combinations of measures, economic and safety considerations, underlying biological mechanisms, handling and post-release mortality, and non-fishery impacts must all be addressed. In addition, it is also necessary to consider issues such as who takes the lead for ensuring mitigation is sufficient for the population as a whole, how to devise effective mitigation implementation strategies, and whether gear modification should be used in concert with more sweeping measures. -
MeetingBuoy gear - a potential for bycatch reduction in the small-scale swordfish fisheries: a Florida experience and Indian Ocean perspective 2013
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No results found.A swordfish buoy gear, an innovative fishing practice developed in USA in early 2000s, provide a possibility of direct swordfish targeting yielding high CPUE of target species and very low bycatch levels. Here we present a summary of US experience and discuss potential application of this gear in the Indian Ocean region in the perspective of small-scale fisheries development and bycatch reduction. -
MeetingShark bycatch - small scale tuna fishery interactions along the Kenyan coast 2013
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No results found.In Kenya and to a great extent most parts of the WIO region, shark catches majorly occur as by-catch in artisal tu fisheries and prawn trawls, including sport fishing activities. However, the extent to which these various fisheries catch sharks is not known but may be significant. The species structure, distribution, catch rates and levels of fisheries-shark interactions are not well documented. This information is, however, necessary to assess exploitation levels of shark species and for settin g regulatory, conservation and magement frameworks. This study therefore aimed at filling this information gap. Data was collected from fisher landings at various sites along the Kenya coast and by observers on commercial and scientific trawl surveys. Landings at 5 beaches were inspected for 15 days per month for 12 months (August 2012 to July 2013). Specimens were identified to species and, sex, length and weight recorded for each shark landed or trawled as by-catch. Results indicate that the a rtisal and the prawn trawl shark bycatch is domited by Hammerhead sharks (Sphyr lewini, 53.7%), Blacktip Reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus, 33.7%), and Grey Reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, 5.5%). Other species present in the catches in lower quantities (~7.1%) include Carcharhinus falciformis, Carcharhinus longimanus, Carcharhinus brevipin, Sphyr zygae, Stegostoma fasciatum. Catch rates of species show spatial and seasol variation in abundance with higher catches in Kenya’s north coa st. Morphometrics of the domint species are included, and size- frequency distributions show mostly juveniles in the catches. There is need to continuously monitor the distribution and abundance of sharks, including shark-fishery interactions in the WIO region for purposes of conservation.
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