Pelagic Longline Fishing Procedures & Gear

Introduction  Pelagic longlining is global Fig 2 in Lewison et al. 2004

Objectives  Describe pelagic longline process  List 1 potential impact  Describe 3 components of pelagic longline gear  List 2 types of specialized equipment you may encounter  Demonstrate ability to complete the Gear Description form

What is pelagic longlining?  Hook & line gear – uses bait to attract fish in pelagic zone  Pelagic = open ocean (usu. <250m fishing depth) Image:

What is pelagic longlining?  Hook & line gear – uses bait to attract fish in pelagic zone  Pelagic = open ocean (usu. <250m fishing depth)  Primary targets: tuna, swordfish, sharks Images: Chapman 2006

What is pelagic longlining?  Hook & line gear – uses bait to attract fish in pelagic zone  Pelagic = open ocean (usu. <250m fishing depth)  Primary targets: tuna, swordfish, sharks  Bait = fish or squid depending on target Images: Beverly 2009

What is pelagic longlining?  Hook & line gear – uses bait to attract fish in pelagic zone  Pelagic = open ocean (usu. <250m fishing depth)  Primary targets: tuna, swordfish, sharks  Bait = fish or squid depending on target  Fishery impacts – bycatch of turtles, seabirds, sharks Nicolas Gascohttp://ccma.nos.noaa.gov F. Arocha

Data collection priorities 1. Estimate effort for each gear deployment; 2. Identify every individual caught on each set and assess catch condition and fate; 3. Collect biological information on target and other identified species as requested; 4. Record all sightings and interactions with marine mammals and sea turtles; 5. Record vessel and fishing gear characteristics.

How is gear fished?  Strategies

How is gear fished?  Strategies  Deployment Photo: Kim Dietrich, Cape Town,

How is gear fished?  Strategies  Deployment  Retrieval  Video Video

Gear components - overview Drawing modified from Hanrahan et al Basket Dropper

Gear components - mainline

Gear components – gear markers Drawing modified from Hanrahan et al. 1997

Gear components - branchline Photo: Kim Dietrich, Cape Town 2010 Drawing modified from Hanrahan et al Nylon mono (type 3) Leader

Snap (clip; Swivels (Beverly 2009)

Gear components - hooks Offset image: Beverly 2009 Hook image modified from Beverly 2006, 2009

Gear components – other fish attracting devices Glow beads Chemical lights

Photo: K. Dietrich, 2012 Gear – deployment devices  Line setter Drawing: BirdLife International 2010  Bait caster

Gear – retrieval devices  Line hauler  Mainline drum  Branchline coiler  video video

Gear – seabird mitigation Photo: Washington Sea Grant Davit / tori pole Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Gear – seabird mitigation Streamer curtain Water cannon Drawings: BirdLife International - Bycatch Mitigation Fact Sheet 12

Gear Description Form

Image: Beverly 2009

Gear Description Form

 Questions about gear or the gear form?  Practice exercise Groups of 2 15 minutes to complete Gear Description Form

Gear Description Form Y ~ braided nylon

Gear Description Form Mustad j-hook 9/0 stainless 0 Mustad circle 16/0 stainless slight X X

Gear Description Form

Branchline coiler broke on July 7 and was not repaired for the duration of the trip; Vessel sometimes trailed 100m of rubber hose to deter birds. Hose was yellow & 1cm in diameter. They also placed an orange road cone at the terminal end None

Summary  Describe pelagic longlining  What are the potential impacts of this fishery?

Drawing modified from Hanrahan et al

Summary  Describe pelagic longlining  What are the potential impacts of this fishery?  Describe 4 components of pelagic longline gear  List 2 types of specialized equipment you may encounter on pelagic longline vessels

References  Beverly, S Hooks used in longline fishing. SPC Fisheries Newsletter 117:  Beverly, S Longline terminal gear Identification guide - Draft. Submitted to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Scientific Committee, Fifth Regular Session, August 2009, Port Vila, Vanuatu, WCPFC-SC5-2009/FT-IP-01, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Marine Resources Division, Coastal Fisheries Programme, Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia.  BirdLife International Bycatch Mitigation Fact Sheet 11 (Version 1)  BirdLife International Bycatch Mitigation Fact Sheet 12 (Version 1)  Chapman, L., P. Sharples, D. Brogan, A. Desurmont, S. Beverly, and W. Sokimi Marine species identification manual for horizontal longline fishermen. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia.  Hanrahan, J., D. J. Melindy, and J. V. Pelrine At-sea Observer Program Operations Manual: A Training Aid and Field Reference. National At- sea Fisheries Observer Program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa, Canada.  Lewison, R. L., S. A. Freeman, and L. B. Crowder Quantifying the effects of fisheries on threatened species: the impact of pelagic longlines on loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles. Ecology Letters 7:

Misc photos Cuban longline vessel: FAO Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission. 2002

Introduction  Pelagic longlining is global

Question 1 List 3 components of pelagic longline gear.

Question 2 What are the 3 types of hooks you may encounter on a pelagic longline vessel?

Question 3 List the 3 forms that must be completed that are specific to pelagic longline vessels.

Question 4 List 3 pieces of information that must be collected from each organism

Question 5 TRUE or FALSE – You can reduce the amount of catch composition sampling if you are fishing in the same area for several days.

Question 6 TRUE or FALSE – Longline hooks that are offset lay flat (in one plane).

Question 7 List one piece of specialized equipment you may find on a longline vessel.

Question 8 If a vessel deploys 85 sections (baskets) of longline gear and there are 20 hooks/section, how many total hooks were deployed?

Question 9 TRUE or FALSE – Observers are expected to monitor every set for catch composition.

Question 10 TRUE or FALSE – A damage code should be recorded for every animal caught.

Question 1 List 3 components of pelagic longline gear. Mainline Branchline Hooks Floats Gear marker

Question 2 What are the 3 types of hooks you may encounter on a pelagic longline vessel? Tuna J-hook Circle

Question 3 List the 3 forms that must be completed that are specific to pelagic longline vessels. Pelagic longline gear description Set & Haul Information – pelagic longline Catch Composition – pelagic longline

Question 4 List 3 pieces of information that must be collected from each organism Hook number Species name/code Condition when caught Condition upon discard (incl.kept) Sex Length type & measurement

Question 5 TRUE or FALSE – You can reduce the amount of catch composition sampling if you are fishing in the same area for several days. FALSE

Question 6 TRUE or FALSE – Longline hooks that are offset lay flat (in one plane). FALSE

Question 7 List one piece of specialized equipment you may find on a longline vessel. Line hauler (mainline) Branchline hauler/coiler Line shooter Bait caster (thrower)

Question 8 If a vessel deploys 85 sections (baskets) of longline gear and there are 20 hooks/section, how many total hooks were deployed? 85 * 20 = 1700

Question 9 TRUE or FALSE – Observers are expected to monitor every set for catch composition. TRUE

Question 10 TRUE or FALSE – A damage code should be recorded for every animal caught. FALSE