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Summary:

The study assessed the efficacy of applying bird scaring line regulations from the demersal longline fishery in Alaska to a similar fishery along the U.S. West Coast. However, unlike in the  Alaskan sablefish fishery, some U.S. West Coast sablefish vessels utilize floated longlines. Results from the study confirmed that bird scaring regulations from Alaska were sufficient to protect baits from bird attacks on longlines without floats, but not baits with floats. One reason for this pattern might be that floated longlines sink more slowly, meaning that the lines are typically beyond the protection of the bird scaring lines before they sink below the reach of seabirds such as albatrosses. The analysis also confirmed testimonials from fishermen that night setting reduced albatross bycatch by an order of magnitude compared to daytime setting, without reducing target catch. The use of night setting may be an effective albatross bycatch prevention practice for the West Coast sablefish fishery, and provides an alternative to bird scaring lines for vessels using floated longlines. 

Summary:

 The ability of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) to distinguish  differently colored netting materials was tested under controlled conditions to test gillnet color as a potential bycatch mitigation technique. Clear, green, and orange colored monofilament were tested in the form of a gillnet mimic in an enclosed tank containing 25 penguins. Orange colored monofilament line resulted in lower collision rates with the gillnet mimic (5.5%) in comparison with clear (35.9%) and green (30.8%) monofilament lines. Further testing under experimental conditions, accompanied by at-sea trials to verify effectiveness in varied light conditions is needed, as well as an assessment of the effect of gillnet color on the catch efficiency of target species. 

Summary:

A computer model was produced to provide insight into how the Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) becomes entangled. It allows an anatomically accurate model of a NARW Population estimates of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale to "swim" into fishing pot ropes, that incorporate realistic physical properties and can generate measures of physical forces (such as rope tension). Modeled entanglement events showed that those  involving the pectoral flippers with body wraps were more easily generated than entanglements involving the tailstock only. The simulator is intended as a tool for testing potential new gear configurations.

Summary:

In 2015, NPF Industry Pty Ltd launched the Northern Prawn Fishery’s Bycatch Strategy 2015-2018 with the vision to reduce small bycatch by 30% in three years. A key component of the strategy was industry innovation and through this process the Kon’s Covered Fisheyes Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) was developed.In 2016, at-sea testing of the Kon’s Covered Fisheyes Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) was conducted in the Gulf of Carpentaria to determine its effectiveness in reducing small bycatch in the tiger prawn fishery compared to a currently legislated device. The device was found to significantly reduce small bycatch by approximately 36.7%, with commercial prawn catch increasing by an average of 0.5%. The device proved to be easy and safe for crew to use and due to the significant reduction in bycatch, the time taken for crew to process the catch was reduced.

Summary:

This study examined spatial interactions between false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and the Hawaii-based deep-set longline fishery. False killer whales occur as bycatch in this fishery that exceed allowable levels. Five satellite tagged whales (occurring within three groups) in combination with logbook entries showed that only two groups of whales approximated gear at a distance closer than 50km. On two occasions whales from one group came close enough to interact with gear, and one of six sets involved had no catch which may be explained by depredation. The haul phase showed the highest “attraction effect,” and the results suggest this portion of fishing activity may be an important factor in bycatch, especially seeing as at other times the whales showed limited time interacting with gear.

Summary:

A questionaire administered to the bottom trawling fleet in the western Mediterranean (northeastern Spain) reported 238 bycacth events involving loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), calculated as a monthly CPUE of .09. The authors dicuss this figure relative to nearby coastal regions and suggest some possible mitigation measures.

Summary:

A meta-analysis of online publications revealed only one technique to be effective as a bycatch reduction device in longline fisheries, which involves raising demersal longlines off the seafloor using flotation. Other techniques as BRDs include monofilament leaders which, like floating demersal longlines, are suggested as promising approaches for further evaluation. Although not effective as a deterrent, circle hooks may increase survivaility post-hooking. 

Summary: Demersal trawl gear used to catch Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in west Greenland. A towed vide sled recorded trawling impacts on seafloor fauna. Trawling effort was significantly linked with community composition, with a negative association between trawling effort and abundance of some taxa, including some vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) indicator species, including a regionally rare species (Halipteris finmarchica).

Summary: Artificial lights were attached to each the rigid-grate BRD and fishing lines in trawls for ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) off Oregon. Bycatch of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), a threatened anadromous smelt species, was reduced on trawls with lights on the fishing lines as it was for slender sole (Lyopsetta exilis) and darkblotched rockfish (Sebastes crameri), without affecting target catch.