Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Preliminary Results Of Circle And J-Style Hook Comparisons In The Brazilian Pelagic Longline Fishery, David W. Kerstetter, J. C. Pacheco, Fabio H.V. Hazin, P. E. Travassos, John E. Graves

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Reports

Preliminary studies in western North Atlantic pelagic longline fisheries indicate that a change in terminal gear from J-style hooks to circle hooks may reduce bycatch mortality. However, such studies have not examined the impact of this change in the equatorial fishery. Catch composition, catch rates, hooking location, and condition at haulback were monitored during 26 sets in the commercial longline fishery operating in the western equatorial South Atlantic where circle (size 18/0, non-offset) and J-style (size 9/0 and 10/0, 10° offset) hooks were deployed in an alternating fashion. Catch rates for yellowfin tuna, swordfish, and a composite “all fishes” category …