Estimated average annual bycatch of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in US Mid-Atlantic bottom otter trawl gear, 1996-2004 (Second Edition)

"During 1994-2004, fisheries observers documented interactions between bottom otter trawl gear and loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region (i.e. south of 41°30'N/66°W to approximately 35°00'N/75°30'W). Most of these interactions were with loggerhead turtles, although Kemp's ridley and leatherback turtles were also observed in small numbers. Due to the low number of Kemp's ridley and leatherback interactions, bycatch rates and total mortality were only estimated for loggerhead turtles. Vessel Trip Reports (VTR) from fishermen operating bottom otter trawl gear in the Mid-Atlantic were used to expand predicted bycatch rates to total estimated bycatch. Due to reduced quality of VTR data in 1994 and 1995, bycatch is reported from 1996-2004 only. Significant factors affecting sea turtle bycatch were latitude zone, depth, sea surface temperature, and the use of a working Turtle Excluder Device (TED). A working TED is defined as one which is not clogged (e.g., with fish or debris). Predicted bycatch rates were stratified by the combination of significant variables. Estimated average annual bycatch of loggerhead turtles in Mid-Atlantic bottom otter trawl gear during 1996-2004 was 616 animals (C.V.=0.23, 95%C.I. over the 9 year period: 367-890)"--Document's home page. by Kimberley T. Murray. "November 2008." "The second edition of this document includes an Appendix which reports loggerhead bycatch from 2000-2004 by main species (fish or invertebrate) group, which is a proxy for Fishery Management Plan (FMP) group (which is not well reported in the data). Information in the Appendix is based on results presented in the first edition of this document. The original edition of the document is unchanged"--Document's home page. Includes bibliographical references.