Experimental fishing with an “umbrella-and-stones” system to reduce interactions of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and seabirds with bottom-set longlines for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in the Southwest Atlantic

Published source details Goetz S., Laporta M., Martinez Portela J., Begona Santos M. & Pierce G.J. (2011) Experimental fishing with an “umbrella-and-stones” system to reduce interactions of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and seabirds with bottom-set longlines for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in the Southwest Atlantic. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68, 228-238.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use catch and hook protection devices on fishing gear Action Link

Use catch and hook protection devices on fishing gear

A replicated, controlled study in 2007–2008 of two pelagic areas in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (Goetz et al. 2011) found that using ‘umbrella’ devices on fishing hooks did not reduce sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus predation or damage to catches of Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides. The proportion of hauls in which toothfish were taken or damaged by sperm whales did not differ significantly between fishing lines with all hooks covered by ‘umbrella’ devices (0–17% of hauls) and fishing lines with two-thirds or half of the hooks covered (0% and 8–16% respectively). Fewer toothfish were caught on hooks with ‘umbrella’ devices than on those without (data not reported). A total of 297 ‘long line’ fishing lines (each with 900–3,000 hooks) were deployed across two fishing areas with different proportions of hooks (all, two-thirds or half) covered by ‘umbrella’ devices. ‘Umbrella’ devices were cone-shaped net sleeves (1.5–2 m long) that covered caught fish during hauling. An observer on board the fishing vessel recorded catches and whale-damaged fish or hooks during each of the 297 hauls in November–April 2007/2008.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)