Experiment to Evaluate Gear Modification on Rates of Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Swordfish Longline Fishery in the Azores Phase 3

Location
Azores, Portugal
Article
Experiment to Evaluate Gear Modification on Rates of Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Swordfish Longline Fishery in the Azores Phase 3
Target catch
Swordfish and blue shark
Study Type
Field study in the wild
Effect on target catch
Straight 16/0 circle hooks caught the most blue sharks in the Azores longline swordfish and blue shark fishery, followed by offset 18/0 circle hooks. Offset 16/0 circle hooks caught the fewest blue sharks.
Effect on bycatch species
Decreased throat hooking
Bycatch species
Sea Turtles
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Fishing Gear
Hooks and Lines
Reduction technique
Circle hooks