Improving safety when hauling branch lines during pelagic longline fishing operations
Citation
Johnston JT, Barrington JH (2019) Improving safety when hauling branch lines during pelagic longline fishing operations. In: ACAP - Ninth Meeting of the Seabird Bycatch Working Group. ACAP SBWG9 Doc 16 Rev 1, Florianópolis, Brazil
Abstract
Concern has been raised by relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, coastal States and fishing operators about safety when hauling branch lines during pelagic longline fishing operations. This concern is focused on the potential hazard to crew during flyback events when branch line weighting is employed. It potentially hinders uptake of ACAP’s best practice advice about branch line weighting as a measure for reducing the impact of pelagic longline fisheries on seabirds.