SEABIRD BYCATCH REDUCTION TECHNIQUES IN THE HAWAII PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY Objective: To test the effectiveness of various gear types and fishing practices for reducing rates of seabird mortality in the Hawaii pelagic longline fisheries and provide recommendations about the most efficient, least intrusive method for eliminating bycatch of seabirds in the north central Pacific. Background: The mortality of seabirds during commercial longlining operations is a problem worldwide and methods to reduce it have been developed in numerous fisheries. There are limited experimental data however on the efficacy of many of these techniques. Furthermore, every fishery involves different gear types and interacts with a different suite of bird species. Research is needed to identify mitigation techniques that are applicable to the Hawaiian fishing community. Approach: Initiate an investigation of techniques for reducing bird bycatch on vessels participating in the Hawaii pelagic longline fishery. The duration of the work should be at least one year, preferably two, in order to observe seasonal variation in bird responses to the variety of mitigation techniques either proposed or already in use in the fishery. The investigators would require the cooperation of commercial vessels operating in the areas where fishing activities are most prone to bird interactions. A combination of experimental testing of techniques and gear modifications will be used, such as bird lines and poles, towing buoys and bags, spraying water, bait dyeing, bait thawing, greater weight on hooks, and multi variate analysis of other pertinent variables such as time of day and light level during set and haul, vessel speed and position relative to lines, and location of fishing activity. The measure of effectiveness will be the rate of bird interaction per hook set (effort). In addition the investigators will quantify the effect of various mitigation techniques on catch rate of target species of the fishery. This project will require the stationing of a field researcher on at least 5 fishing trips of at least 21 dayseach to the areas where most bird mortality is occurring. The investigators will also analyze data acquired during experimental use of bird poles and lines gathered during swordfish research cruises on the NOAA Vessel Townsend Cromwell. Data collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service observer program for the Hawaii pelagic longline fishery would also be available for evaluation. i. Quantitative comparisons of the effectiveness of various bird catch reduction techniques; ii. Recommendations about the most acceptable and effective techniques for the Hawaii fleet; iii. Summary and analysis of the effects of various bird catch reduction techniques on fish catch; iv. Recommendations for strategies to encourage implementation of the most appropriate bird catch reduction techniques in the Hawaii longline fishery. FUNDING SOURCE: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council STUDY TIMELINE: 2 year study from March 1998- February 2000. FEBRUARY 15, 1998 Project notification begins. The successful applicant is notified. WPRFMC begins to work with the project contacts to finalize the budgets and terms of the award. FEBRUARY 30,1998 Turn down letters are sent for proposals not selected. APRIL 1, 1998 The project is implemented. The project is a two year study beginning March 1, 1998 -- February 1, 2000. The final report is due to the WPRFMC by February 1, 2000. The final report will include analyses of data collected, photographs, news clips, and other pertinent information, as well as recommendations for reducing the bycatch of seabirds in the Hawaiian longline fishery. The project contact will also be asked for a final financial report accounting for all project expenditures. APPLICANT INFORMATION (Incomplete applications will not be considered.) Name/Organization/Agency (to be named as Grantee): Address, City, State, Zip, Phone, Fax, e-mail: PROJECT INFORMATION a. Project Abstract: A summary of the proposal (one page maximum) b. Proposal: describe the conservation need the project will address. Methodology -- describe the project's tasks and timetable for implementation; describe who is doing the work, who is supervising. Management Implications -- how will the results of these analyses be applied to the Hawaiian Longline fishery. Evaluation -- describe the strategy for monitoring and evaluating the project results, including how success will be defined and measured. Contact: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council ( Paul Dalzell) Suite 1400, 1164 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone: (808)522 6042/8220, fax: 522 8226, email: paul.dalzell@noaa.gov US Fish & Wildlife Service (Beth Flint, Kevin Foster) 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Box 50088, Rm 3108 Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808)541 1201/3441, fax 522 1216/3470, email: beth_flint@mail.fws.gov, kevin_foster@mail.gov

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