Odontocete (i.e. toothed whale) interaction with longline fisheries is a global phenomenon that threatens the status of some populations and the economic viability of longline fisheries. This review paper summarizes the trend and geographical extent of interactions, the potential impact on odontocetes and fisheries, and describes potential acoustic and physical mitigation solutions.
November 2024
Cory's shearwater by-catch in the Mediterranean Spanish commercial longline fishery: implications for management | Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction
Cory’s shearwater, Calonectris diomedea, is the main seabird species incidentally caught by the Spanish longline fleet in the western Mediterranean Sea. The authors used onboard observer data to model the longline bycatch of Cory’s shearwaters as a function of time of the year, technical characteristics of the fishing operation, and geographical location. The most explanatory factor for bycatch was the geographical location and then the technical characteristics (number of hooks and fishing during non-working days). Seabirds are more likely to approach longline vessels when trawlers are not allowed to operate (non-working days), so the authors conclude that activity of longliners should be limited to working days.