Report of the U.S. Longline Bycatch Reduction Assessment and Planning Workshop

The purpose of the Workshop was to review and assess the results of all U.S. longline bycatch reduction efforts to date, including the available information on the effects of circle hooks on bycatch species and target catch, and to use this information to (1) identify best gear and fishing practices and (2) develop an action plan to direct NMFS’ domestic and international marine turtle longline bycatch reduction efforts. The workshop focused primarily on marine turtle bycatch, while also considering bycatch of other species, including billfish, marine mammals, seabirds, and sharks. Twenty-six invited participants with expertise relevant to the issue of longline fishery bycatch participated in the Workshop. The majority of participants were NMFS staff; the remaining participants represented other federal agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.