Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is a quantitative method used to describe fisheries worldwide. CPUE can be presented as number of fish per 1000 hooks, number of fish per amount of fishing time, or with any unit of effort that best describes the fishery (e.g., search time, hooks per hour, number of trawls). CPUE is commonly used as an index to estimate relative abundance for a population. These indices are then applied within stock assessments so that fisheries managers can make justified decisions for how to manage a particular stock or fishery using options such as quotas, catch limitations, gear and license restrictions, or closed areas. For commercial pelagic longline (PLL) fisheries, onboard observer data are considered the only reliable data available due to the large-scale movements of highly migratory species (HMS) like tunas and because of the high costs associated with fisheries independent surveys. Unfortunately, fishery-reported logbook data are heavily biased in favor of the target species and the expense of onboard observers results in a low percentage of fleet coverage. Subsequently, CPUE derived from fishery-dependent data tends to overestimate relative abundance for highly migratory species. The spatial distribution of fish and fishing effort is essential for understanding the proportionality between CPUE and stock abundance. A spatial metric was created (SCPUE) for individual gear deployments using observer-based catch and effort data from the western North Atlantic PLL fleet. SCPUE was found to be less variable than CPUE when used as an index of relative abundance, suggesting that SCPUE could serve as an improved index of relative abundance within stock assessments because it explicitly incorporates spatial information obtained directly from the fishing location. Areas of concentrated fishing effort and fine-scale aggregations of target and non-target fishes were identified using the optimized hot spot analysis tool in ArcGIS (10.2). This SCPUE method describes particular areas of fishing activity in terms of localized fish density, thus eliminating the assumption that all fish in a population are dispersed evenly within statistical management zones. The SCPUE metric could also assist fisheries management by identifying particular areas of concern for HMS and delineating boundaries for time-area closures, marine protected areas, and essential fish habitat.

The development and adaptation of gear technologies to local fisheries has been a management-oriented research strategy commonly used to mitigate the ecological effects of pelagic longline (PLL) gear on bycatch species. Grenada’s PLL fishery primarily targets yellowfin tuna, however while minimal, their bycatch of blue marlin and white marlin exceeds the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allowed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). A switch to circle hooks may benefit these nontargeted, bycatch species by reducing catch rates and haulback mortality, as well as increasing post-release survival. To determine differences in performance, assessments of 16/0 circle hooks and 9/0 J hooks were alternated over 26 sets between January and June 2018. Catch, mortality, hook location, length and grade of fish were compared between hook types. No differences in haulback mortality rate for all species, or yellowfin tuna grade were found between hook types. However, significantly fewer billfish collectively (t= 2.36, p= 0.028), and sailfish specifically (t= 3.04, p=0.005), were caught on circle hooks. Additionally, tuna caught with circle hooks had a 69% greater chance of external hooking compared to J hooks (X2 = 4.38 p=0.036). All other species analyzed had statistically similar catch rates regardless of hook type (p < 0.05), including, yellowfin tuna. The results of this study indicate the Grenadian PLL can reduce its impact on billfish bycatch by using 16/0 circle hooks without incurring negative effects on their tuna catch rate or grade. This research provides further evidence that circle hooks should be the recommended gear type when using a bycatch mitigation approach to manage PLL fisheries.

The U.S. pelagic longline fishery catches 98% of domestic swordfish landings but is also one of the three fisheries most affecting federally protected sea turtles (Crowder and Myers 2001, Witherington et al 2009). Bycatch by fisheries is considered the main anthropogenic threat to sea turtles (NRC 1990). Accurate and precise bycatch estimates are imperative for sea turtle conservation and appropriate fishery management. However, estimation is complicated by only 8% observer coverage of fishing and data that are hierarchical in structure (i.e., multiple sets per trip), zero-heavy (i.e., bycatch is rare), and often overdispersed (i.e., larger variance than expected). Therefore, I evaluated two predominant bycatch estimation methods, the delta-lognormal method and generalized linear models, and investigated improvements in uncertainty incorporation. I constructed a simulation model to evaluate bycatch estimation at two spatial scales under ten spatial models of sea turtle, fishing set, and observer distributions. Results indicated that distributing observers relative to fishing effort and using the delta-lognormal-strata method was most appropriate. The delta-lognormal-strata 95% confidence interval (CI) was wider than statistically appropriate. The delta-lognormal-all sets pooled 95% CI was narrower but simulated bycatch was above the CI too frequently. Thus, I developed a bycatch estimate risk distribution to incorporate uncertainty in bycatch estimates. It gives managers access to the entire distribution of bycatch estimates and their choice of any risk level. Results support the management agency's observer distribution and estimation method but suggest a new procedure to incorporate uncertainty. This study is also informative for many similar datasets. / Master of Science

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-14T16:45:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jose Carlos Pacheco dos Santos.pdf: 638792 bytes, checksum: 6f28321f4c3fd95cd1db01843c010e88 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-14T16:45:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jose Carlos Pacheco dos Santos.pdf: 638792 bytes, checksum: 6f28321f4c3fd95cd1db01843c010e88 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-09-03 / Aiming compare the indices of catch per unit of effort, hook location, and the condition of the fishes caught in two different types of hook, the “circle” (18/0) and “J” (9/0), 81 pelagic longline sets in a equatorial area were observed. The indices of catches for the albacore (Thunnus alalunga), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) had not presented a significant differences between the two the types of hook, whereas the bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) target specie in these fisheries, were significantly more caught in the circle hooks than in “J” hooks. The “circle” hooks also showed a mortality rate lesser than the “J” hooks, thus increasing the indices of non target species discarded alive, as for example the blue and white marlin, which in Brazil are being caught beyond the quotas stipulated by the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas). This fact brings a substantial quality improvement results during the disembark, resulting a high final products qualifying to export and consequently a best sale price. / No intuito de comparar o desempenho dos anzóis, o índice de captura por unidade de esforço, o posicionamento do anzol no corpo do animal capturado, e a condição do peixe no recolhimento, foram observados 81 lances de uma pescaria comercial com espinhel, operando no Atlântico sul equatorial, na qual os anzóis “circulares” (tamanho 18/0) e os anzóis do tipo “J” (tamanho 9/0) foram utilizados de forma alternada. As taxas de captura para albacora branca (Thunnus alalunga), albacora laje (Thunnus albacares) e o espadarte (Xiphias gladius) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os dois tipos de anzol, enquanto que a albacora bandolim (Thunnus obesus) principal alvo da pesca, foi significativamente mais capturada nos anzóis “circulares”, os quais apresentaram, também, uma taxa de mortalidade no momento do recolhimento muito menor, podendo assim aumentar a taxa de descarte vivo de animais que compõem a fauna acompanhante, como por exemplo os agulhões negro e branco, que no Brasil estão sendo capturados além das cotas estipuladas pela International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas - ICCAT. Tal fato resulta em uma melhora substancial da qualidade do pescado na hora do desembarque, resultando, assim, em uma melhor qualificação do produto final para exportação e consequentemente um melhor preço de venda.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-09T15:04:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diogo Martins Nunes.pdf: 540969 bytes, checksum: 969307884f3ced0bc71b0426a1a8882d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-09T15:04:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diogo Martins Nunes.pdf: 540969 bytes, checksum: 969307884f3ced0bc71b0426a1a8882d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-11 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Circle hooks (15/0 and 17/0) were compared with traditional hooks (type "J" 10/0) and used "hook timers (HT)” to identify the time capture and time in which the fish remained in line until haulback. Survival rates ranged considerably between species and species groups, and between the types of hooks and hooking location. As example, mortality rates showed billfishes significantly lower in circle hooks in compared to the traditional. The swordfish, in turn, reported higher mortality regardless the type of hook and hooking location, unlike the blue shark, which showed high levels of survival. By moreover, species of tunas and billfihes analyzed showed a significant trend toward reduction in mortality of individuals captured externally, resulting in an association between hooking location and the condition of the animal (χ2 = 13:54, p = 0.00023; χ2 = 27.35, p = 1.697e-07, respectively). For target species had a trend of increased survival with increased length of individual fish, although the group of sharks that trend was only observed for the blue shark, with a marginally significant difference, while other shark species showed a pattern otherwise, although the difference was statistically significant only for the crocodile shark. A total of 431 HT were activated and retrieved with fish on the line, represented by 20 species, of which 13 were captured more frequently at night. Some species demonstrated endure long periods of capture surviving until the time of haulback. Results suggest that knowledge of factors affecting survival of pelagic fish caught in fishing longline can develop/adopt fishing methods that reduce mortality primarily by members of the bycatch and animals caught incidentally. / Durante os experimentos anzóis circulares (15/0 e 17/0) foram comparados com anzóis tipo “J” 10/0 e utilizados “hook timers” (HT) para identificação da hora de captura e do tempo em que o peixe permaneceu na linha até seu embarque. O espadarte apresentou altos índices de mortalidade, ao contrário do tubarão azul, que obteve altos índices de sobrevivência a despeito do tipo e local em que o anzol foi fisgado. Por outro lado, as espécies de albacoras e agulhões analisados apresentaram uma tendência significativa de redução da mortalidade em indivíduos capturados externamente, resultando em uma associação entre o local de fisga e a condição do animal (χ2=13.54 e p=0.00023; χ2=27.35 e p=1.697e-07, respectivamente). Houve uma tendência de elevação da sobrevivência com aumento do comprimento individual dos peixes, embora no grupo dos tubarões essa elevação apenas foi observada para o tubarão azul, com uma diferença marginalmente significativa, enquanto que outras espécies de tubarão apresentaram um padrão contrário, embora a diferença tenha sido estatisticamente significante apenas para o tubarão cachorro. Um total de 431 HT foram ativados, havendo um claro crescimento da taxa de mortalidade dos peixes capturados com o aumento do tempo decorrido entre a captura e o seu embarque, porém, algumas espécies demonstraram suportar longos períodos de captura sobrevivendo até o momento do embarque. Os resultados sugerem que através do conhecimento dos fatores que afetam a sobrevivência de peixes pelágicos capturados na pesca com espinhel pode-se desenvolver/adotar métodos de pesca que reduzam a mortalidade principalmente dos integrantes da fauna acompanhante e animais capturados incidentalmente.

A interação das tartarugas marinhas da espécie Caretta caretta e Dermochelys coriacea com o espinhel pelágico é um dos fatores que mais causa a mortalidade destes animais no oceano. Estudos com o intuito de quantificar essa interação, bem como os fatores que influenciam a mesma, são crescentes, para os quais é necessário conhecer a distribuição dos animais, e correlacioná-la com variáveis ambientais e operacionais da pesca. O presente estudo visa avaliar e quantificar os padrões espaço-temporais das capturas acidentais das tartarugas marinhas C. caretta e D. coriacea na região Sudeste/Sul do Brasil, com base em dados coletados pelo Projeto TAMAR ICMBio, entre 2003 e 2010, a partir de um programa de observadores à bordo da frota comercial com espinhel pelágico, assim como correlacioná-los com variáveis ambientais, biológicas e operacionais. Para tal, foram utilizados métodos estatísticos, como os Modelos Aditivos Generalizados para Posição, Escala e Forma (GAMLSS). Foram verificadas variações interanuais e sazonais, com destaque para maiores capturas por unidade de esforço (CPUE) no outono. A temperatura superficial do mar foi a variável abiótica de maior correlação com a CPUE de C. caretta, sendo tipo de isca, a variável operacional mais significativa. Para D. coriacea, profundidade e longitude foram os fatores que melhor explicam a CPUE. Padrões de distribuição ontogenética e áreas prioritárias de conservação para essas populações são discutidas, assim como os efeitos potenciais do aquecimento do oceano. O presente estudo deve contribuir para a definição de políticas de conservação marinha e no contexto da abordagem ecossistêmica para a pesca / The interaction between the sea turtles Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea with pelagic longline is one of the factors that cause mortality of these animals in the ocean. Studies in order to quantify this interaction, as well as the factors that influence it, are increasing, focusing mostly on the turtles distribution, and how it correlates with environmental and fishing operational variables. Present study aims to evaluate and quantify the spatio-temporal patterns of the sea turtles C. caretta and D. coriacea bycatch off Southeast/South Brazil, based on data collected by Project TAMAR - ICMBio between 2003 and 2010, from an observer program on-board the commercial pelagic longline fleet, as well as to correlate them with environmental, biological and operational variables,. Statistical methods such as Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) were applied. Interannual and seasonal variations were observed, with a higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) during fall. The sea surface temperature was the abiotic variable that most correlated with CPUE of C. caretta, being the type of bait the most significant operational variable. For D. coriacea, depth and longitude were the factors that better explained the CPUE. Ontogenetic distribution patterns and priority areas for the species conservation are discussed, as well as the potential effects of ocean warming. This study should contribute to the definition of conservation policies as well as to the ecosystem approach to fisheries context

A interação das tartarugas marinhas da espécie Caretta caretta e Dermochelys coriacea com o espinhel pelágico é um dos fatores que mais causa a mortalidade destes animais no oceano. Estudos com o intuito de quantificar essa interação, bem como os fatores que influenciam a mesma, são crescentes, para os quais é necessário conhecer a distribuição dos animais, e correlacioná-la com variáveis ambientais e operacionais da pesca. O presente estudo visa avaliar e quantificar os padrões espaço-temporais das capturas acidentais das tartarugas marinhas C. caretta e D. coriacea na região Sudeste/Sul do Brasil, com base em dados coletados pelo Projeto TAMAR ICMBio, entre 2003 e 2010, a partir de um programa de observadores à bordo da frota comercial com espinhel pelágico, assim como correlacioná-los com variáveis ambientais, biológicas e operacionais. Para tal, foram utilizados métodos estatísticos, como os Modelos Aditivos Generalizados para Posição, Escala e Forma (GAMLSS). Foram verificadas variações interanuais e sazonais, com destaque para maiores capturas por unidade de esforço (CPUE) no outono. A temperatura superficial do mar foi a variável abiótica de maior correlação com a CPUE de C. caretta, sendo tipo de isca, a variável operacional mais significativa. Para D. coriacea, profundidade e longitude foram os fatores que melhor explicam a CPUE. Padrões de distribuição ontogenética e áreas prioritárias de conservação para essas populações são discutidas, assim como os efeitos potenciais do aquecimento do oceano. O presente estudo deve contribuir para a definição de políticas de conservação marinha e no contexto da abordagem ecossistêmica para a pesca / The interaction between the sea turtles Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea with pelagic longline is one of the factors that cause mortality of these animals in the ocean. Studies in order to quantify this interaction, as well as the factors that influence it, are increasing, focusing mostly on the turtles distribution, and how it correlates with environmental and fishing operational variables. Present study aims to evaluate and quantify the spatio-temporal patterns of the sea turtles C. caretta and D. coriacea bycatch off Southeast/South Brazil, based on data collected by Project TAMAR - ICMBio between 2003 and 2010, from an observer program on-board the commercial pelagic longline fleet, as well as to correlate them with environmental, biological and operational variables,. Statistical methods such as Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) were applied. Interannual and seasonal variations were observed, with a higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) during fall. The sea surface temperature was the abiotic variable that most correlated with CPUE of C. caretta, being the type of bait the most significant operational variable. For D. coriacea, depth and longitude were the factors that better explained the CPUE. Ontogenetic distribution patterns and priority areas for the species conservation are discussed, as well as the potential effects of ocean warming. This study should contribute to the definition of conservation policies as well as to the ecosystem approach to fisheries context