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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Multifaceted effects of bycatch mitigation measures on target or non-target species for pelagic longline fisheries and consideration for bycatch management

Daisuke Ochi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6614-8193 A * , Kei Okamoto https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4108-2754 A and Shintaro Ueno https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8227-8031 A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-12-4, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 2368648, Japan.

* Correspondence to: otthii80s@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Haseeb Randhawa

Marine and Freshwater Research 75, MF23148 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23148
Submitted: 3 August 2023  Accepted: 23 December 2023  Published: 24 January 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

The pelagic longline fishery has implemented bycatch mitigation measures to reduce sea turtle bycatch, but little attention has been given to their side effects on other endangered species.

Aims

To investigate the impact of using circle hooks and whole fish bait on the fishing mortality of target and non-target fish species, as well as bycatch species.

Methods

Long-term data collected from research cruises conducted by a pelagic longline vessel were used for analysis. A Bayesian quantitative evaluation was employed to assess the effects of the mitigation measures on the fishing mortality of various species.

Key results

The use of circle hooks led to an increase in mouth-hooking for both target and bycatch species, and the effect was proportional to hook size. Although deploying circle hooks did not increase fishing mortality per unit effort (MPUE) for shortfin mako sharks, combining to whole fish bait had a significant increase on MPUE.

Conclusions

The study stresses the need for considering the trade-offs of bycatch mitigation measures such as circle hooks and fish bait among multi-taxa species.

Implications

The necessity for quantitative assessments of bycatch mitigation measures before implementation is highlighted to avoid unintended consequences on endangered species and ensure effective conservation in pelagic longline fisheries.

Keywords: bycatch mitigation measure, circle hook, finfish bait, fisheries management, pelagic longline fishery, sea turtle, sharks, swordfish.

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