In order to effectively reduce bycatch mortality in the tuna purse seine fishery, the bycatch could be separated, and released, before it is brought on deck. There are two temporal windows during the purse seining process when bycatch can be separated to maximise their survival: either before the start of the set or during the set but before the catch is brought on deck. We investigated the potential use of behavioral manipulation of several bycatch species, using the FAD and bait as stimuli, to attract them to designated areas. Firstly, we investigated whether sharks and other bycatch species could be attracted away from the FAD by using bait as a stimulus. Following these trials, similar experiments were conducted within the net, to determine whether the bycatch can be attracted out of the net using both the FAD and bait as stimuli. The outcome of these trials led to the proposal of a different mitigation method consisting of an escape panel placed the middle of the net.
| Subject : | : | abstract of oral presentation |
| Date of production, writing | : | 2020-02-18 |
| Topics | : | Session 7: MITIGATION TECHNIQUES IN PURSE SEINE FISHERIES |
| Keywords | : | bycatch mitigation ; purse seiner ; FADS ; behavioral manipulation |
| PDF version | : |  PDF version |
