New branch line weighting regimes to reduce the risk of seabird mortality in pelagic longline fisheries without affecting fish catch

1. Experiments were conducted on two new branch line weighting regimes designed to reduce the risk of seabird mortality in the Australian pelagic longline fishery. The experiments compared the sink rates and fish catch rates of the new regimes with that used by the fishing industry. 2. Baited hooks on gear with a 120g lead weight 2m from the hook reduced the time to reach 2m, 5m and 8m depths by 16%, 58% and 70%, respectively, compared with industry standard gear with 60g at 3.5m. Baited hooks with 40g leads at the hook reduced the time taken to reach 2m, 5m and 8m depth by 33%, 28% and 25%, respectively. The reduction in time with a 60g lead at the hook to these depths was similar to 40%. 3. There were no statistically detectable differences in catch rates of target and non-target fish between industry standard branch lines and branch lines with both 120g leads at 2m and those with 40g leads at the hook. The results contest the widely-accepted opinion that major branch line modifications, including weight at the hook, reduce fish catch. 4. The regime with a 40g lead at or very close to (i.e. 0.5m) the hook has the most potential for adoption in fisheries due to: (i) improved crew safety; (ii) ease of port-based inspection for compliance purposes; (iii) reduced construction costs; (iv) reduced bin tangles; and (v) ease of deployment. Lead loss from shark bite-offs can be minimized by placing leads on short (<= 0.5m) leaders. In areas of moderate to high risk to seabirds, or where the risks are unknown, the use of 60g leads either at or0.5m from the hook is encouraged. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.