Fishing methods to reduce sea turtle mortality associated with pelagic longlines

18/0 circle hooks when compared with J hooks significantly reduce loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermocheles coriacea) sea turtle bycatch in Atlantic longline fisheries for pelagic swordfish. Circle hooks also reduced the rate of hook ingestion by loggerhead sea turtles. The combination of circle hooks and mackerel bait was the most effective in reducing sea turtle bycatch and had no negative effect on swordfish catch. Use of novel bait species (mackerel instead of squid bait) reduced loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermocheles coriacea) sea turtle bycatch in the Atlantic longline swordfish fishery. Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) bycatch in the Atlantic longline fishery increased with an increase in total soak time. Soak time was insignificant for swordfish but it was significant for bigeye tuna.