Estimates of Sea Turtle By-Catch by the U.S. Pelagic Longline Fleet in theWestern North Atlantic Ocean

摘要

Proper analysis and interpretation of by-catch data from these individuallongline fisheries are necessary when formulating recovery and management strategies as mandated by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and subsequent amendments. This report examines the reported and observed catch rates of sea turtles by the U.S. longline fleet in the western North Atlantic Ocean. The data used in this analysis are from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Mandatory Pelagic logbook Program and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) and Northeast Fisheries Science Center Pelagic Observer Programs.