Estimated bycatch of marine mammals and sea turtles in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet during 2008

"The U.S. Atlantic Pelagic Longline fleet operates throughout the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, including along the U.S. coast from the Gulf of Mexico to New England, the waters of the Caribbean, and in international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic longline fleet is defined as a Category I fishery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and it is also the subject of management under the Endangered Species Act due to interactions with leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles. Total bycatch of marine mammals and turtles in the longline fishery was estimated for 2008 using data from the pelagic longline fishery observer program and a mandatory fishery logbook reporting program. We applied a delta-lognormal approach to estimate region specific and total annual interactions with protected species in the fishery. During 2008, there were an estimated 381.3 ( 288.7-503.7 [95% CI]) interactions with leatherback turtles and 771.6 (481.4 - 1236.6 [95% CI]) interactions with loggerhead turtles. The primary marine mammals interacting with this fishery were pilot whales (Globicephala sp.) with an estimated 141.5 (76.1- 263.3 [95% CI]) interactions and Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) with 64.4 (30.0 - 138.6 [95% CI]) interactions. Potential sources of bias and uncertainty in these bycatch estimates are discussed"--Abstract. Lance P. Garrison, Lesley Stokes, and Carol Fairfield. "June 2009." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 14-15). 2009 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) SEFSC (Southeast Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1864