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Title Shark bycatch in the experimental tuna longline fishery in Lakshadweep Sea, India
 
Names Aneesh Kumar, K.V.
Pravin, P.
Meenakumar, B.
Khanolkar, P.S.
Baiju, M.V.
Date Issued 2015 (iso8601)
Abstract Bycatch from the experimental longline operations in the
Lakshadweep Sea were studied. The experiments were conducted
on converted Pablo boats, originally used for pole
and line fishing operations, to capture skipjack tuna in the
Lakshadweep Islands. The overall bycatch rate was very
high, with a mean hooking rate of 8.05/1000 hooks compared
to the targeted tuna catch (1.75/1000 hooks). Bycatch
contributed 82.4% of the catch in comparison to the tuna
(17.6%) Thunnus albacares, in the longline operations. Silky
shark (Carcharhinus falciformes) with 89.9% was the dominant
shark species followed by C. amblyrhynchos, Galeocerdo
cuvier, Alopias pelagicus, Negapriion acutedens and Sphyrna
lewinii with 4.7, 2.7, 1.4, 0.7 and 0.7%, respectively. Sharks
contributed to 74.1% of the catch, followed by 15.7% sailfishes
and 10.2% miscellaneous fishes. Higher bycatch rates
were evident during evening hours compared to mornings,
but the results were not significant statistically. Studies on
the effects of depth on the overall fishing performance and
species selectivity failed to establish any significant relationship
at a depth range of 35–100 m. Soaking time had a
significant effect on bycatch rates. The hooking rate of
sharks declined with an increase in soaking time. Considering
the high shark bycatch in the fishery, an accurate monitoring
of the longline fish catches in the Lakshadweep waters is an
important step towards ensuring the sustainability of other
populations, especially sharks.
Genre Article
Topic tuna longlining
Identifier J. Appl. Ichthyol. 2015: 31, 301–307