Shark Depredation and Unwanted Bycatch in Pelagic Longline

Shark Depredation and Unwanted Bycatch in Pelagic Longline Fisheries
3. Without shark regulations would you be better off
economically?
Yes 8
No 6
4. Without regulations do you think sharks would be worse
off?
Yes 8
No 5
5. If you could avoid shark capture altogether (or mostly)
would you be better off economically than if you could
fully utilize the sharks that you do catch?
Yes 3
No 11
6. In your experience are sharks nowadays more or less
abundant – all species?
More 3
Less 3
Same 8
7. Is shark damage to your gear a concern?
Yes 12
No 2
8. If of concern, is this mostly for the extra time and effort to
repair or replace gear, or for the actual cost of gear, (hooks
line, swivels) lost to sharks?
Gear 4
Time 4
Both 6
9. Would your preference be, if possible:
(a) To avoid shark bycatch ?
(b) To not avoid it, (if free to fully utilise them?)
Avoid 3
Not 11
10. Is the income to your boat from sharks shared in the same
way as all income generated?
Yes 8
No 6
11. Would this be the case if you were free to make use of all
sharks caught?
Yes 14
No 0
12. Do you fish differently (bait type, timing, position of sets)
because there is greater incentive for you to avoid shark
capture?
Yes 11
No 3
13. Do you fish in any way that you think minimises the
numbers of sharks that you catch?
Yes 13
No 1
14. Are there any things you consider may further reduce
shark captures or improve your efficiency in dealing with
the ones that are caught?
Yes 0
No 14
15. Do you use devices designed specifically to help release
bycatch such as sharks?
Yes 7
No 5
16. Are you aware of devices that are not in use that may
be effective for discarding sharks?
Yes 0
No 14
17. Provided appropriate regulations in relation to retention
and use of sharks were in place, do you think that the option
of incorporating a wire trace at the hook would potentially
be advantageous or not:
a) to economic impact of sharks?
b) to ultimate conservation outcome to a shark that is caught?
Yes
No
a) 6 8
b) 3 11
18. Do you think that any impression gained of
distribution and abundance from shark capture rates by
fishing vessels in your fishery is realistic?
Yes 1
No 12
Uncertain 1
19. If shark flesh has little or no economic value do you think
that deriving income from parts such as fins or oil alone is
legitimate?
Yes 9
No 5
50