Estimated bycatch of marine mammals and turtles in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet during 2001-2002

The U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet operates throughout the Gulf of Mexico, along the entire U.S. Atlantic coast over the continental shelf and slope, and in distant water areas including the central North Atlantic and the Canadian Grand Banks. 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 concerns under the Endangered Species Act due to interactions with marine turtles including leatherback and loggerhead turtles. Using data from the pelagic longline fishery observer program and a mandatory fishery logbook reporting program, total bycatch of marine mammals and turtles in the longline fishery was estimated for 2001 and 2002. A delta-lognormal approach was applied to estimate region specific and total annual interactions and mortality for the fishery. Total interactions observed during an experimental fishery in waters off of the Canadian Grand Banks are also documented. The primary marine mammal species interacting with this fishery were pilot whales (Globicephala sp.) and Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus). There were also significant interactions with leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) during both years. Potential sources of bias and uncertainty in these bycatch estimates are discussed. Lance P. Garrison. "December 2003." "This report has an internal document No. PRD - 02/03 - 09"--Page ii. System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (page 15). 2003 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) SEFSC (Southeast Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1864