Supplemental Biological Opinion for Hawaiʻi Shallow-Set Longline Fishery

NOAA Fisheries issued a no-jeopardy supplemental biological opinion on the authorization of the Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery. The supplement considers the potential effects associated with fishing in the Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery on endangered North Pacific Ocean loggerhead sea turtles.

After careful evaluation, NOAA Fisheries has concluded that the effects of ongoing fishing activities may adversely affect North Pacific Ocean loggerhead sea turtles. However, the activities are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of this population.

The supplemental biological opinion identifies two reasonable and prudent measures to minimize fishery impacts to the species:

• NOAA Fisheries “shall implement and evaluate minimization measures designed to reduce the incidental capture of loggerhead sea turtles in the Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery and for those that are incidentally caught alive, to maximize survival by being released from fishing gear in a manner that minimizes injury and the likelihood of further gear entanglement or entrapment to increase their post-release survivorship.”
• NOAA Fisheries “shall ensure that the Hawaiʻi shallow-set longline fishery has a monitoring and reporting program sufficient to confirm that extent of take is not exceeded, and that the terms and conditions in this incidental take statement are effective in minimizing incidental take.”

The biological opinion also includes terms and conditions to carry out these measures.