Marine mammal, sea turtle and seabird bycatch in California gillnet fisheries in 2012

"Bycatch of marine mammals , sea turtles, and seabirds is reported for two gillnet fisheries in 2012: 1) the California (CA) swordfish and thresher shark drift gillnet fishery, and 2) the CA halibut and white seabass set gillnet fishery, based on fishery observer data collected in 2012. Bycatch estimates are generated using ratio estimation methods. Observations in the CA swordfish and thresher shark drift gillnet fishery included 83 sets during 15 fishing trips, from an estimated 445 sets fished by all vessels (18. 7 % observer coverage). Observed bycatch included 5 short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), one northern right whale dolphin (Lissodelphis borealis), and six California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Additionally, one leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) was reported released alive and we provide an estimate of entanglements of this species in 2012 . Estimated bycatch is 26 (CV=0. 78 ) short-beaked common dolphins, five (CV= 1.01) northern right whale dolphins, and 32 (CV=0. 60) California sea lions. The estimated number of leatherback turtle entanglements in 2012 is five (CV=1.09), based on the observation of one entangled turtle and 18. 7 % observer coverage." James V. Carretta, Lyle Enriquez, Charles Villafana. "February 2014." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 7-8).