Long Term Observing for Protected Species Interactions in a Changing Fishery

For the past 25 years NMFS has observed the Swordfish and Thresher Shark Drift Gillnet Fishery off California. The fishery has undergone many changes since its beginnings as a shark fishery in the 1970's including a shift in target species, introduction of acoustic pingers to reduce cetacean bycatch, time and area restrictions to reduce sea turtle interactions and adjustments in observer coverage strategies. The success of these changes at reducing bycatch in the fishery have been monitored by fisheries observers collecting operational and biological samples on a wide range of species since 1990.