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Alternatives to Surface Longlines: Switching Gears in the Gulf of Mexico

Fact Sheet

Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico use surface longlines to catch yellowfin tuna and swordfish. This fishing gear incidentally injures and kills approximately 80 types of marine wildlife including spawning bluefin tuna and endangered sea turtles. Highly selective gears such as green sticks and swordfish buoy gear have been shown to reduce this bycatch while effectively catching yellowfin tuna and swordfish. Oil spill restoration funds from Deepwater Horizon could help pay for a gear transition program that would phase out wasteful surface longlines and keep fishermen in business.

Gear Comparisons

To view complete citations, please download the fact sheet below.

Fact Sheet File: Switching Gears in the Gulf of Mexico (PDF)

 

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