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Summary:

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). 

Summary: Sorting grids were found to reduce bycatch of juvenile hake (Merluccius merluccius) in demersal trawl fishery in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Summary: Opaque mesh netting placed strategically on gillnets decreased bycatch of rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) and common mure (Uria aalge) seabirds but also decreased catch of target salmon species in the Puget Sound, USA.

Summary:

An acoustic release system for offshore lobster buoy lines was successfully developed and tested for reducing right whale (Eubalanea glacialis) entanglements with vertical lines in the Gulf of Maine and southern New England lobster pot fishery.

Summary: Gillnets equipped with acoustic pingers caught only one harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) compared to 42 caught in control nets off of New Hampshire, USA. Alarms sounds are above groundfish hearing and are not expected to affect fish catch.

Summary: Passive acoustic deterrents increased avoidance actions of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to barriers simulating surface-set gillnets in the Moray Firth, Scotland.

Summary:

Side-setting in combination with a bird curtain resulted in the lowest seabird-- Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)--capture rate when placed on pelagic longline gear for tuna and swordfish in Hawaiian waters when compared to underwater setting chutes and blue-dyed bait.

Summary:

Side-setting in combination with a bird curtain resulted in the lowest seabird-- Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)--capture rate when placed on pelagic longline gear for tuna and swordfish in Hawaiian waters when compared to underwater setting chutes and blue-dyed bait.

Summary: Side-setting of longline fishing gear in the western North Pacific deterred seabirds-- Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan albatross Phoebastria immutabilis)?from taking bait and improved the sinking rate of baited hooks.

Summary: An alternative leader design reduced loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle interactions in a Chesapeake Bay pound net fishery for finfish. There was no change in catch of weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), croaker (Micropogonias undulates), and harvestfish (Peprilus alepidotus).