IATTC Research on Reducing Shark Bycatch in the Tuna Purse-Seine Fishery in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

There is worldwide concern about the effect of fishery bycatch on shark populations. In the ETP, there is particular concern about the high bycatch of sharks in tuna purse-seine nets during sets on FADs. The IATTC has proposed a number of studies aimed at reducing bycatch, and the NMFS has provided funding for a preliminary study of one of these methods. This paper describes a research plan to reduce shark bycatch during FAD sets. We will attempt to study the usefulness of bait stations in attracting sharks away from FADs prior to a set and thus avoiding encirclement by the purse seine. The key questions for this study are 1) whether the bait station is more attractive to the sharks than a FAD, 2) whether the sharks can be attracted without the tunas being attracted as well, and 3) whether the use of bait stations is practical and efficient within the constraints of a purse-seine fishing operation. The cooperation of an Ecuador-based purse seiner to conduct this preliminary study has been offered, and the field work is scheduled to begin in mid-September 2007.