Depredation by killer whale (Orcinus orca) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) on the catch of the Uruguayan pelagic longline fishery in Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

This study analyses depredation by killer whales (Orcinus orca) and false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) on catches of the Uruguayan pelagic longline fishery in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean between 1998 and 2007. Data were collected by scientific observers from the National Observer Program of the Tuna Fleet operating in the area between 19°–40.5°S and 20°–54°W. Depredation occurred in 67 of the 1029 sets and was restricted to the area from 25°–40.5°S to 27°–53°W, though larger proportions of depredation (DP: percentage of total fish caught damaged by cetaceans) were observed in the Brazil–Malvinas (Falkland) Confluence area (34°–37°S and 51°–53°W) where most of the fishing effort was concentrated. Depredation occurred year-round though intra-annual variability in its intensity was recorded. The overall DP was 0.37% and was slightly higher in autumn. The spatial analysis showed that DP within grids of 1 × 1° was homogeneous and generally <2.5%. Ten out of 57 fish species caught by the fishery were depredated by cetaceans. Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) showed the highest DP per species (1.17%). Using the frequency of resources selectivity index of Ivlev, it was determined that swordfish was selected as a preferred prey in 43.9% of the sets with depredation. Generalized linear models indicated that distance to coast, year, and vessel were significant variables in explaining the number of fish depredated per fishing event. The presence of killer whales in the fishing ground seems not to affect the catch per unit effort by the longline fishery. The losses caused by depredation of cetaceans on the catch are low with probably minor economic effects to the Uruguayan longline fishing industry.