International Marine Mammal - Longline Bycatch Mitigation Workshop

October 22-25, 2013

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA, USA

Overview

With support from NOAA’s Office of International Affairs, the Consortium for Wildlife Byctach Reduction based at the New England Aquarium is convening an international workshop to review research on reducing bycatch of odontocetes in longline fishing operations worldwide. Participants will present papers at the workshop and then break into working groups to discuss critical questions pertaining to this body of research.

Among the topics that will be covered during the workshop are time-area closures, and several methods under evaluation in different parts of the world for reducing the bycatch and subsequent mortality of odontocetes in longline gear, including acoustic deterrents, weak hooks, and net sleeves. Many questions remain in understanding the efficacy of these methods, and how practical they may be to the fishing industry. Project outputs will consist primarily of peer-reviewed publications and an on-line clearinghouse of information on research carried out to date, synthesizing our current understanding about the most effective bycatch mitigation methods and identifying critical research needs.

DRAFT AGENDA

DAY 1 (Tuesday, Oct. 22)

Venue: Clark Lab 507, Quissett Campus, WHOI

GENERAL SESSION

8:30 – Introductions

8:40 – Workshop Overview: Tim Werner and Nina Young

8:50 – Global assessment of marine mammal bycatch in longline fisheries –Kate McClellan

9:15 - Commercial fishers’ perspective - Terri Beideman/John Hall

9:40 - Overview of the interactions between marine mammals and the pelagic longline fishery in the subtropical western South Atlantic – Eduardo Secchi

10:05 – Break

10:25 - Using avoidance to minimize depredation in the longline fishery in Alaska waters – Jan Straley

10:50  –Cues, creaks, and decoys: Using underwater sound as a tool to study sperm whale depredation – Aaron Thode


For more information on the workshop program please go to the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction website at: www.bycatch.org


Confirmed Workshop Participants

Derek Hamer, Australian Antarctic Division

Jan Straley, University of Alaska

Dave Kerstetter, Nova Southeastern University

Kate MccLellan, New England Aquarium (NEAq)

Tim Werner, NEAq

Nina Young, NOAA Office of International Affairs

Bill McLellan, UNC-Wilmington

Andy Read, Duke University                                                           

Simon Northridge, University of St. Andrews

Aaron Thode, Scripps Institute

Njaratiana Rabearisoa, IRD-La Reunion                                                           

Paul Tixier, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé

Terri Beideman, Blue Water Fishermen’s Association

Megan Peterson, University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Dan Flavey, Alaskan Fishermen

Aran Mooney, WHOI

Scott Kraus, NEAq

Victoria O'Connell, Sitka Science

Lars Bejder, Murdoch University

Eduardo Secchi, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande

Luciano Dalla Rosa, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande

Christophe Guinet, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé

John Hall, Hawaii Longliner

Debra Palka, NEFSC

Contact:
Tim Werner, Senior Scientist and Director, Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction, John H. Prescott Marine Laboratory, New England Aquarium

Email: twerner@neaq.org; Tel. 617-226-2137

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