Update of standardized catch rates of loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, caught by Uruguayan and Brazilian longline fleets (1998-2010)

This study presents an update of the standardized catch rate of the loggerhead sea turtles caught by the Uruguayan and Brazilian longline fleets based on information from the observer programs of both countries between 1998 and 2010. Thirty three percent of the total sets (1,765) had reported by-catch of loggerhead sea turtles. To deal with the excess of zeros, the CPUE was modeled by Generalized Linear Models using a Delta Lognormal approach. The variables used in the model take into account spatial and temporal variations as well as characteristics of the gears. The standardized and nominal loggerhead CPUE series show a no clear trend, although the standardized CPUE shows less variability between years than the nominal.