Documenting interactions between pilot whales and the pelagic longline fishery

Attempts to reduce the frequency of interactions between pilot whales and longline fishing gear by the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Team (PLTRT) are hampered by a lack of information regarding the nature, timing and cause of these interactions. In this project, we plan to use an integrated series of techniques to characterize interactions between pilot whales and the pelagic longline fishery. We intend to: (1) conduct visual and acoustic monitoring of pilot whales from an independent research vessel in the Cape Hatteras Special Research Area (CHSRA); (2) work directly with longline fishermen to examine interactions using acoustic recording equipment; (3) collect skin samples from pilot whales to determine which of the two species (long-finned or short-finned pilot whales) interacts with longline gear; and (4) obtain photo-identification images to determine patterns of residency within the CHSRA and to investigate whether particular individuals consistently engage in depredation.

Supported by the North Carolina Sea Grant Fishery Resource Grant Program and NEAq Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction

For additional information contact: Danielle Waples (dwaples@duke.edu)