Longline

Southern Atlantic Ocean

Longlines consist of hundreds to thousands of baited hooks that branch off a mainline that can be miles long. Depending on target species, longlines are deployed either in the open ocean (pelagic fisheries) or along the ocean bottom (benthic fisheries).

Target Species

Swordfish

Tuna

Bycatch Species

Sea Turtles

Seabirds

Sharks and Rays

Solutions

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Gears and Best Practices

Circle Hooks

In circle hooks, the pointed tip is bent back towards the shaft decreasing the spacing between the sharpened tip and shaft and changing the hook angle. The shape of the circle hook makes it harder for ETP bycatch to get hooked due to differences in jaw morphologies, but doesn’t impact catch rates in fish and can even in some cases increase catch rates.

Fishery Type

Longline

Ocean Region

Indian Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, Northern Atlantic Ocean

Target Species

Mahi, Swordfish, Tuna

Bycatch Species

Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles

Gears and Best Practices

Hook Shielding Devices

A hook shielding device encases or covers the tip of the baited hook during the longline set to prevent predation by seabirds. The shielding devices is designed to then open or release the hook at a specified depth below which seabirds can dive.

Fishery Type

Longline

Ocean Region

Northern Pacific Ocean, Southern Atlantic Ocean

Target Species

Mahi, Swordfish, Tuna

Bycatch Species

Seabirds

Gears and Best Practices

Non-Steel Leaders

Leaders are a segment of the branch line that the baited hook is directly attached to. For fisheries that do not retain sharks, it is recommended to use a leader material that can be cut, allowing sharks to break off in the water, or be cut from the main line by the crew when hauling.

Fishery Type

Longline

Ocean Region

Indian Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, Northern Atlantic Ocean

Target Species

Mahi, Swordfish, Tuna

Bycatch Species

Sharks and Rays

Funding Opportunities

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Fisheries

Longline, Gillnets

Species Impacted

Sea Turtles, Seabirds, Sharks and Rays, Marine Mammals

Target Species

Swordfish, Tuna

Description

In California, Experimental Fishing Permits (EFP’s) have been granted to several fishing for swordfish and bluefin tuna using sustainable deep-set buoy gear (DSBG). Since 2023, DSBG has been a low-bycatch alternative to traditional swordfish gear, such as pelagic longlines and drifting gillnets, which can negatively impact sea turtles, sharks and seabirds. DSBG reduces bycatch by setting beneath the thermocline, where non-targeted species are uncommon. However, it can be challenging for fishers to relocate their DSBG, and losing gear is a concern with inclement weather. Lost gear can become ghost gear, which could indiscriminately fish both target and non-target species. Blue Ocean Gear provides Smart Buoy technology for tracking and monitoring deployed gear. In 2023, with funding from Santa Monica Seafood and support from SFP, 2 DSBG vessels were provided with Smart Buoys to track their gear. All DSBG were successfully relocated, and Smart Buoys enabled more effective day-to-day operations for the fishers.

Based on this success, this project will be expanded to include outfitting two additional DSBG vessels with Smart Buoy technology. The expansion will also include training for fishers and a satellite data plan for an additional vessel already equipped with Smart Buoys. The initial training and ongoing support will be conducted by Blue Ocean Gear, both in-person and virtually, as successfully done during the past project. The additional hardware will include 10 Smart Buoys and 1 Wireless Charger per vessel. The software plan includes the Iridium subscription per buoy, as well as access to buoy data via the mobile app, web app, and TimeZero plotter.

Click "I'm Interested" to contact the Bycatch Solutions Hub for more details.

Beneficiary: Blue Ocean Gear

Fully Outfit 2 DSBG Vessels-Funded $27,750 USD
Fully Outfit 2 Additional DSBG Vessels plus Training and Satellite Plan $32,000 USD

The Problem

The baited hooks attract non-target species which can become hooked and entangled in the line. This impacts all four ETP taxa and often leads to drowning. If released alive, puncture wounds and entanglements can lead to life threatening injuries.