



U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Category |
I |
Estimated Number of Participants^ |
150 |
Target Species |
tuna |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
|
Observer Coverage* |
This fishery has been observed since 1994. Initially, observer coverage was less than 5%, increased to 10% in 2000, and exceeded 20% in 2001 and 2002. Observer coverage was 22.2% in 2003; 24.6% in 2004; 26.1% in 2005; 21.2% in 2006; and 20.1% in 2007 |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic; False killer whale, MHI insular1; False killer whale, HI pelagic1; False killer whale, NWHI; Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale), HI; Risso’s dolphin, HI; Rough-toothed dolphin, HI; Short-finned pilot whale, HI; Striped dolphin, HI. |
^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NMFS acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.
*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).
1Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.
The total annual mortality and serious injury of false killer whales (HI pelagic stock) in this fishery exceeds 50% of the stock's Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level.
This fishery operates inside and outside the US EEZ, primarily around the main Hawaiian Islands and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with some trips to the EEZs around the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas. Vessels vary their fishing grounds depending on their target species. Most of the deep-set fishing occurs north and south of the Hawaiian Islands, according to fishing conditions. This fishery operates year-round, although vessel activity increases during the fall and is greatest during the winter and spring months.
This fishery uses longline gear. Deep-set longline gear typically consists of a continuous mainline set below the surface and supported in the water column horizontally by floats with branch lines attached at intervals on the mainline. Mainline is 3.2-4.0 mm diameter monofilament and stored on large hydraulic reels. In addition, radio buoys are also used to keep track of the mainline as it drifts at sea. A line shooter is used on deep-sets to deploy the mainline faster than the speed of the vessel, thus allowing the longline gear to sink to its target depth (target depth for bigeye tuna is approximately 400 m). The mainline is typically 25 to 45 nmi long. A minimum of 15, but typically 25 to 30, weighted branch lines (gangions) are clipped to the mainline at regular intervals between the floats. All float lines must be at least 20 m in length. Each branch line terminates with a single baited hook. The branch lines are typically 11 to 15 m (25 to 50 ft) long. Sanma (saury) or sardines are used for bait. The use of light sticks (or any light emitting device) is prohibited. Unlike the shallow-set fishery, the deep-set does not have regulations regarding the time of day that the gear may be set. However, it is common for fishermen to set their gear in the morning and haul in the afternoon/night, mainly to maximize their target catch rates.
This fishery is a Federal limited access program and is managed by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region, and is subject to Federal regulation. Measures that are currently applicable to the fishery include, but are not limited to, limited access (permit requirement), vessel and gear marking, vessel length restrictions, Federal catch and effort logbooks, large longline restricted areas around the Hawaiian Archipelago, vessel monitoring system (VMS), annual protected species workshops, and the possession and use of sea turtle and seabird mitigation gear and safe handling techniques. The vessel operator must notify NMFS prior to departure whether the vessel is undertaking a deep-set or shallow-set trip. Once the trip type is set, it cannot be changed during the trip. Vessel operators must take a NMFS contracted observer if requested by NMFS – target observer coverage is 20% of trips. If any marine mammal interaction (hooking or entanglement) resulting in injury or mortality occurs, the vessel operator must complete and mail a pre-addressed, postage paid form to NMFS within 48 hours of the end of the trip. Additional information on all applicable regulations for the deep-set longline fishery is available on our website. This fishery is subject to the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team. NMFS is currently implementing the Take Reduction Plan and, potentially, associated regulations.
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants |
140 |
Basis for Original Classification |
Observer data indicated that interactions occur with various marine mammal stocks (for example, there was an interaction with a humpback whale in 1991); however, estimates of PBR levels and annual mortality and serious injury for many stocks were not available. |
Past Names |
HI Deep-set (tuna target) Longline/Set Line (until 2015); HI swordfish, tuna, billfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, oceanic sharks longline/set line (until 2009) |
Species/stocks with historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on list) |
Blainville's beaked whale, HI; Bryde's whale, HI; Hawaiian monk seal, MHI; Humpback whale, Central North Pacific; Pygmy killer whale, HI; Sperm whale, HI; Spinner dolphin, HI |
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
Changes on the LOF for the “HI swordfish, tuna, billfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, oceanic sharks longline/set line” |
|
2008 |
|
2006 |
|
2004 |
|
2001 |
|
1999 |
|
1998 |
|