Identifying Methods to Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Reef Fish Bottom Longline Fishery
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$290,000
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Species Restoration
Targeted Resources
Sea Turtles
Project Description
This project identified factors contributing to sea turtle incidental captures in the reef fish bottom longline (BLL) fishery and determined whether opportunities to restore loggerhead sea turtles by reducing the number of captures and mortality in the fishery were present. Sea turtle bycatch in reef fish BLL gear can lead to serious injury or death through entanglement in or ingestion of gear. This project thoroughly evaluated existing NOAA observer program data to identify factors that influence the bycatch of loggerhead sea turtles in the eastern Gulf of Mexico reef fish BLL fishery. Potential co-factors included fishery information: month, time of day, area, latitude, depth, number of hooks, hook type, bait used, and soak time; and environmental information: sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, bathymetry, and lunar phase. Project findings were used to inform whether future restoration projects are feasible or necessary, such as enhanced data collection, stakeholder outreach, gear or fishing practice modification and testing, pilot project efforts, and implementation of voluntary programs. Data analyses occurred in year one, followed by the identification of potential future restoration options and publication of the technical memorandum in year two. No specific future restoration activities were recommended as a result of this analysis. More observer/bycatch data would be needed to make defensible recommendations.
Contact
Eric Vichich(727) 238-5774
eric.vichich@noaa.gov
Project Website
None
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