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Hawaiʻi Deep-Set Longline Fishery Quarterly and Annual Status Report 2023

November 30, 2023

Pacific Islands Region Observer Program Hawaiʻi deep-set longline data reports of observer coverage, sea turtle, marine mammal, sea bird, ESA-listed elasmobranch interactions, and set and hook unit effort for vessels departing with observers during 2023.

NOAA Fisheries monitors the Hawaiʻi deep-set pelagic longline fishery (targeting tunas) through a mandatory observer program. This report summarizes data for deep-set fishing trips. It ensures prompt dissemination of Hawaiʻi longline observer data, and may be revised after final data editing. The following table summarizes the percent observer coverage for vessel departures, vessels departing with observers, and set and hook unit effort for observed vessels based on departure date. The tables also summarize sea turtle, marine mammal, sea bird, and Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed elasmobranch interactions based on the begin haul date. Unidentified elasmobranch species that could be an ESA-listed species are also included.

Vessel Departures, and Set and Hook Unit Effort for Vessels

  January 1–March 31, 2023 April 1–June 30, 2023 July 1–September 30, 2023 October 1 –December 31, 2023 January –December, 2023
Departures 374 396 376 370 1516
Departures With Observer 73 72 62 57 264
Observer Coverage 19.52% 18.18% 16.49% 15.41% 17.41%
Total Sets 1,041 1100 897 787 3825
Total Hooks Set 3,000,228 3,148,184 2,595,568 2,304,020 11,048,000

Sea Turtle, Marine Mammal, Sea Bird, and ESA-Listed Elasmobranch Interactions

Sea Turtle Interactions

Sea Turtle Interactions January 1–March 31, 2023 April 1–June 30, 2023 July 1–September 30, 2023 October 1 –December 31, 2023 January –December, 2023
Released Injured Leatherback 1 2 0 1 4
Released Dead Green 2 0 0 0 2
Released Dead Olive Ridley 2 4 2 2 10
Released Injured Olive Ridley 0 0 1 0 1
Total Sea Turtle Interactions 5 6 3 3 17

Marine Mammal Interactions

Marine Mammal Interactions January 1–March 31, 2023 April 1–June 30, 2023 July 1–September 30, 2023 October 1 –December 31, 2023 January –December, 2023
Released Injured False Killer Whale 1 1 2 2 6
Released Injured Risso's Dolphin 0 1 0 0 1
Released Injured Rough-toothed Dolphin 0 0 0 2 2
Released Injured Unidentified Cetacean 2 0 2 0 4
Total Marine Mammal Interactions 3 2 4 4 13

Seabird Interactions

Seabird Interactions January 1–March 31, 2023 April 1–June 30, 2023 July 1–September 30, 2023 October 1 –December 31, 2023 January –December, 2023
Released Dead Black-Footed Albatross 11 14 2 5 32
Released Injured Black-Footed Albatross 1 0 0 0 1
Released Dead Laysan Albatross 2 7 0 2 11
Released Injured Red-Footed Booby 0 1 0 0 1
Released Dead Masked Booby 1 0 0 0 1
Released Dead Sooty Shearwater 0 1 0 0 1
Total Seabird Interactions 15 23 2 7 47

Elasmobranch Interactions

Elasmobranch Interactions January 1–March 31, 2023 April 1–June 30, 2023 July 1–September 30, 2023 October 1 –December 31, 2023 January –December, 2023
Released Dead Oceanic White-Tip Shark 38 32 23 42 135
Released Alive Oceanic White-Tip Shark 74 121 58 64 317
Released Alive Giant Manta Ray 0 1 0 1 2
Released Dead Manta/Mobula 1 0 0 0 1
Released Alive Manta/Mobula 2 8 2 5 17
Released Alive Identified Ray 0 0 1 0 1
Total Elasmobranch Interactions 115 162 84 112 473

 

Last updated by Pacific Islands Regional Office on 03/06/2024

Pacific Islands Region Observer Program