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Solar powered LED lights flashing at a 10% duty cycle (5Hz, 20 min on, 180 mins off) attached to gillnets resulted in a 63% reduction in predicted mean sea turtle bycatch rates. This falls within the range found in previous studies that looked at static lights (40-90% reduction in bycatch), suggesting sea turtle bycatch can be reduced with less power consumption.  

40 trial tows investigated the potential of excluder grids in mitigating bycatch in trawl fisheries in the Northern Levant Sea. Tested gear configurations included a flexible grid with 50mm bar spacing and a rigid grid with 95mm spacing within the trawl extension. The excluder grids significantly reduced bycatch of several elasmobranch species including the velvet-belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax) and the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus), as well as some species of bony fish. Sea turtle bycatch also appeared to be reduced although in general, sea turtle bycatch during the trials was low (two individuals in the control gear). However, catch performance of target shrimp species (Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antennatus) were also reduced in the gear equipped with BRDs, indicating a trade-off. 

The study examined individual and cumulative bycatch during the first five years of a fisher engagement program in the tuna drift gillnet fishery in Pakistan, where fishers co-developed a sub-surface net setting strategy while also receiving bycatch awareness and safe release training. Captain identity and year were the strongest predictors of sea turtle and dolphin bycatch rates.  

An analysis of the performance of circle hooks in comparison to J-style and tuna hooks on the hooking rates of target and non-target species, specifically sea turtles, in the artisanal surface longline fisheries of Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica was performed. The target fisheries were mahi-mahi and a combination of tunas, billfishes, and sharks (TBS). In the TBS fishery, tuna hooks were compared to 16/0 circle hooks from Ecuador and Panama and 18/0 circle hooks from Costa Rica. For the mahi-mahi fishery, 14/0 and 15/0 circle hooks in Ecuador and 16/0 circle hooks in Costa Rica were compared to traditional J-style hooks. Circle hooks reduced sea turtle hooking rates in most of the comparisons. Hooking rates for target and non-target species were not consistent.

Fishing experiments were designed to test various gear modifications for the pelagic longline fishery in Hawaii, United States, to reduce sea turtle interactions. The experiments tested (1) daytime "stealth gear" (2) deep daytime setting, and (3) circle hooks combined with hook timers. Stealth gear and deep setting both caught significantly fewer swordfish compared to the control, although overall catch was reduced by 39% using stealth gear and was approximately similar to the control using deep setting. Neither gear configuration resulted in the take of any sea turtles (compared to one turtle in the control). Initial testing of hook timers with circle hooks resulted in the catch of two sea turtles. Circle hooks were also 40% as effective as J hooks at catching swordfish, and 94% as effective at catching tuna (by weight and value). 

Fishing experiments were designed to test various gear modifications for the pelagic longline fishery in Hawaii, United States, to reduce sea turtle interactions. The experiments tested (1) daytime "stealth gear" (2) deep daytime setting, and (3) circle hooks combined with hook timers. Stealth gear and deep setting both caught significantly fewer swordfish compared to the control, although overall catch was reduced by 39% using stealth gear and was approximately similar to the control using deep setting. Neither gear configuration resulted in the take of any sea turtles (compared to one turtle in the control). Initial testing of hook timers with circle hooks resulted in the catch of two sea turtles. Circle hooks were also 40% as effective as J hooks at catching swordfish, and 94% as effective at catching tuna (by weight and value). 

Paired trials were conducted to compare standard gillnet, trammel nets, and set longlines in Türkiye with several different types of modifications: LED (LP Electralume, 520–530 nm; 18,000–20,000 mcd) and UV-LED devices (LP Electralume, 395–400 nm; 12,000 mcd) and C-type fishing hooks. 

Compared to control nets, LED and UV-illuminated gillnets and trammel nets reduced the biomass of commercial species catch  by 54-75%, and there was no significant reduction in the catch of vulnerable species, including elasmobranchs and sea turtles.  Circle hooks reduced commercial catch by 77% compared to standard J-hooks and similarly had a higher proportion of vulnerable species (noting no sea turtles were captured in the control or treatment longline sets). 

These somewhat unexpected findings may have been influenced by study design limitations (small sample size) or other variables, including high turbidity and larger gear mesh sizes. Additional research is planned. 

Paired trials were conducted to compare standard gillnet, trammel nets, and set longlines in Türkiye with several different types of modifications: LED (LP Electralume, 520–530 nm; 18,000–20,000 mcd) and UV-LED devices (LP Electralume, 395–400 nm; 12,000 mcd) and C-type fishing hooks. 

Compared to control nets, LED and UV-illuminated gillnets and trammel nets reduced the biomass of commercial species catch  by 54-75%, and there was no significant reduction in the catch of vulnerable species, including elasmobranchs and sea turtles.  Circle hooks reduced commercial catch by 77% compared to standard J-hooks and similarly had a higher proportion of vulnerable species (noting no sea turtles were captured in the control or treatment longline sets). 

These somewhat unexpected findings may have been influenced by study design limitations (small sample size) or other variables, including high turbidity and larger gear mesh sizes. Additional research is planned. 

Studies in the Mediterranean and Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fisheries have reported that looplines/traplines or Meka-rings are increasingly being used. Loop lines consist of concentric monofilament loops attached to the branch line, replacing conventional hook and bait. Available evidence suggests that this device may enhance swordfish catch rates while exhibiting high selectivity and reduced bycatch of non-target species (less bait in the water attracts fewer predators and scavengers). However, looplines may also have drawbacks, including more stress on the captured organism and increased drag during retrieval. In addition, loop lines are not yet formally recognized as a separate gear type, which may impact fisheries management.