Night Settings

Fishery Type

Longline, Gillnets, Trawls

Ocean Region

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

Target Species

Mahi, Swordfish, Tuna

Bycatch Species

Seabirds

Seabirds are visual hunters and most active during daylight hours. By shifting to setting fishing gear when it is dark, seabird interaction with baited hooks and nets is greatly reduced thereby decreasing bycatch rates. However, seabirds are attracted to vessel lights which can result in increased collision rates with the vessel and gear (especially warp lines and other cables). In addition, setting at night can increase risk of accident and injury to the vessel crew and in such cases is not recommended. Before transitioning to night setting, the increase risk to the crew and secondary impacts to ETP species needs to be considered.