Report of the Sea Turtle Longline Fishery Post-release Mortality Workshop

Incidental capture in longline fisheries is a recognized threat to sea turtles in all major ocean basins. The magnitude of this threat to sea turtle populations is not well understood based, in part, on uncertain rates of sea turtles’ post-interaction mortality or the likelihood an injured turtle will die as a result of the interaction after being released alive. In assessing impacts, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) uses established criteria to determine the post-release mortality level that will be assumed. In November 2011, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) convened a webinar to review current post-release mortality criteria and to determine whether new scientific information exists in order to recommend modifications.