Shark bottom longline fishery, 2005-2006

"The shark bottom longline fishery is active in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico from North Carolina through Texas. Vessels in the fishery are typically fiberglass and average 50 feet in length. Longline characteristics vary regionally with gear normally consisting of about 8-24 km of longline and 500-1500 hooks. Gear is set at sunset and allowed to soak overnight before hauling back in the morning. There are currently about 100 active vessels in this fishery out of about 250 vessels that possess directed shark fishing permits. These vessels make 4000 to 9000 sets per year. The shark bottom longline fishery targets large coastal sharks but small coastal sharks, pelagic sharks, and dogfish species are also caught. Depending on the time of year and length of the large coastal shark season, these vessels may also target reef fishes such as grouper, snapper, and tilefish"--Introduction, paragraph 1.

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