Bycatch of pilot whales (short-finned) occurs in the pelagic longline fisheries targeting swordfish, tuna, and shark in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic. There are also records of pilot whales (long and short-finned) being taken in gillnet, trawl, and purse seine fisheries. “Whale-safe” hooks are being tested in the longline fishery that aim to reduce pilot whale bycatch by allowing whales to straighten the hook, while being strong enough to retain target catch.
Longlines, gillnets, purse seines, trawls