Direct comparison of seabird avoidance effect between two types of tori lines in longline fishing experiments | Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction

Yokota, K., Minami, H. and Kiyota, M. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, Fisheries Research Agency, Japan

Two types of tori-lines (tori-line and tori-line light streamer) were tested aboard commercial and research longline vessels in the western North Pacific to determine their effectiveness for seabird avoidance.  The tori-line light streamer reduced bait-taking behavior (primarily Laysan albatross) and bycatch of seabirds (primarily Laysan albatross) compared to the tori-line.  Therefore, the tori-line light streamer is a good option for avoiding seabird bycatch in this longline fishery.