NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-564 

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SHARK BOTTOM LONGLINE FISHERY: 2007 

BY 

LORAINE F. HALE 

LISA D. HOLLENSEAD 

AND 

JOHN K. CARLSON 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center 

Panama City Laboratory 

3500 Delwood Beach Rd. 

Panama City, FL 32408 

 

December 2007 
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-564 

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SHARK BOTTOM LONGLINE FISHERY: 2007 

LORAINE F. HALE, LISA D. HOLLENSEAD, AND JOHN K. CARLSON 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Southeast Fisheries Science Center 

Panama City Laboratory 

3500 Delwood Beach Rd. 

Panama City, FL 32408 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary 

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere 

 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

William T. Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

 

 

 

 

December 2007 

 

This Technical Memorandum series is used for documentation and timely communication 

of preliminary results, interim reports, or similar special-purpose information. Although 

the memoranda are not subject to complete formal review, editorial control, or detailed 

editing, they are expected to reflect sound professional work. 
NOTICE 

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not approve, recommend or endorse 

any proprietary product or material mentioned in this publication. No reference shall be 

made to NMFS or to this publication furnished by NMFS, in any advertising or sales 

promotion which would imply that NMFS approves, recommends, or endorses any 

proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned herein which has as its purpose any 

intent to cause directly or indirectly the advertised product to be used or purchased 

because of this NMFS publication. 

This report should be cited as follows: 

Hale, L.F., L.D. Hollensead, and J.K. Carlson. 2007. Characterization of the shark bottom 

longline fishery, 2007. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-564, 25 p. 

This report will be posted on the SEFSC Panama City Laboratory website at URL: 

http://pclab.noaa.gov/ 

Copies may be obtained from: 

Loraine Hale 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Panama City Laboratory 

3500 Delwood Beach Rd. 

Panama City, FL 32408 

Voice: 850-234-6541 ext. 250 

FAX: 850-235-3559 

Loraine.Hale@noaa.gov 

Also available for purchase in paper copy and microfiche form from 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

1-800-553-NTIS 

http://www.ntis.gov

ii 
1

Introduction

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.

Observations of the shark directed bottom longline fishery have been conducted since

1994 (Burgess and Morgan 20031). From 1994 through 2001, observer coverage was conducted 

on a voluntary basis. Beginning with the 2002 fishing season, observer coverage of the shark 

directed bottom longline fishery became mandatory under the current federal management plan

for highly migratory species (50 CFR 635.7, NMFS 2003). Observer coverage from 1994

through the 1st trimester season of 2005 was coordinated by the Commercial Shark Fishery 

Observer Program (CSFOP), Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,

Gainesville, FL (Burgess and Morgan 20031). Starting with the 2nd trimester season of 2005,

responsibility for the fishery observer program was transferred to the National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), Panama City Laboratory.

Information on fishing activities has been previously reported (Hale and Carlson 2007

and references therein). Herein, we report on fishing activities in the shark bottom longline

fishery for the fishing seasons, 2007.

Methods

Owners/vessels possessing current valid directed shark fishing permits were randomly 

selected for coverage with a target coverage level of 4-6%. Selection letters requiring observer

 1 Burgess, G.H. and A. Morgan. 2003. Commercial Shark Fishery Observer Program.

Renewal of an observer program to monitor the directed commercial shark fishery 

in the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Atlantic Ocean: 2002(2) and 2003(1) fishing seasons.

Final Report, U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Highly Migratory Species

Management Division Award NA16FM1598, 15p.
2

coverage were issued to the permit holder via U.S. Certified mail approximately one month prior

to the upcoming fishing season. Once the permit holder receives the selection letter, he or she is

required to make contact with the observer coordinator and indicate intent to fish during the

upcoming fishing season. Upon indication to fish, the observer coordinator deploys an observer

to the permit holder vessel’s reported port of departure.

While onboard the vessel, the observer completes three data forms: Longline Gear

Characteristic Log, Longline Haul Log, and Individual Animal Log. The Longline Gear

Characteristic Log is used to record gear characteristics. The Longline Haul Log is used to 

record the information on set and haulback, as well as environmental information. The

Individual Animal Log records all species caught, condition of the catch (e.g. alive, dead,

damaged, or unknown), and the final disposition of the catch (e.g. kept, released, finned, etc.).

Further details on the vessel selection process and recording of data are found in Hale and 

Carlson (2007).

Results

From January to November 2007, the shark bottom longline observer program covered a

total of 42 trips (defined as from the time when a vessel leaves the port until the vessel returns to 

port and lands catch, including multiple hauls therein) on 25 vessels with a total of 264 hauls

(defined as setting gear, soaking gear for some duration of time, and retrieving gear from water)

observed (Table 1; Figure 1). Gear characteristics of trips varied by area (Gulf of Mexico or the

U.S. Atlantic Ocean) and target species (grouper/snapper or grouper/tilefish, shark, or tilefish).

There were no grouper/snapper-targeted trips observed in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. No trips were

observed in the northern U.S. Atlantic Ocean, therefore subsequent references to the “U.S.

Atlantic Ocean” refer to the coastal waters off the southern U.S. Atlantic states (Richards 1999).
3

Figure 1. Distribution of all observed hauls by target in the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Atlantic

Ocean in 2007. Sets are separated by target species, including grouper/snapper (REF), shark 

(SHX) and tilefish (TIL) targeted sets.

Gulf of Mexico grouper/snapper and grouper/tilefish targeted trips: gear and haul characteristics

There were 179 hauls on 10 trips observed targeting grouper/snapper or grouper/tilefish

in the Gulf of Mexico. The mainline length ranged from 7.4 to 16.8 km with an average of 12.9

km. The average bottom depth fished was 99.3 m and the number of hooks ranged from 36 to 

1747 hooks with an average of 1121 hooks fished. Circle hooks sized 14.0 were the most

common hook utilized (68.7% of hauls). Two different hook sizes were used 17.3% of the time;

all hooks used were circle hooks. The average soak duration (the time from when the last hook 

entered the water until the first hook was hauled back) was 3.1 hr.
4

Gulf of Mexico grouper/snapper and grouper/tilefish targeted trips: catch and bycatch

There were 8,980 individual animals caught on observed bottom longline hauls targeting 

grouper/snapper or grouper/tilefish in the Gulf of Mexico (Table 2). Teleosts comprised 87.3%

of the catch, followed by sharks (11.6%), invertebrates (0.8%), and batoids (0.2%). Large

coastal shark species comprised 16.5% of the shark catch, while small coastal shark species

comprised 73.7% of the shark catch. Red grouper, Epinephelus morio, was the most frequently 

caught species of teleost (56.2%), and Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae,

comprised the majority of the shark catch (53.0%). Length frequencies of the shark species and 

their average sizes are presented in Figure 2 (for species with n ≥ 10).

Figure 2. Length frequency (cm fork length) of sharks (n ≥ 10) observed caught on bottom

longline sets targeting grouper/snapper or grouper/tilefish in the Gulf of Mexico. Average fork

length (cm) for each species is indicted by an asterisk (*).

Gulf of Mexico grouper/snapper and grouper/tilefish targeted trips: protected species interactions

Interactions with protected resources were observed for bottom longline vessels fishing in 

the Gulf of Mexico region targeting grouper/snapper or grouper/tilefish (Table 3). One (1)

loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, was observed caught in bottom longline gear and was

released alive. One (1) sea bird, Larinae sp., was observed caught and was released dead. No (0)

sawfish or marine mammal interactions were observed.
5

Gulf of Mexico shark targeted trips: gear and haul characteristics

There were 24 hauls on 7 trips observed targeting sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. The

mainline length ranged from 12.9 to 31.4 km with an average of 18.1 km. The average bottom

depth fished was 25.4 m and the number of hooks ranged from 228 to 1067 hooks with an 

average of 602.5 hooks fished. The most commonly used hook was 18.0 circle hooks (41.7%)

with 14.0 J hooks used in 20.8% of hauls. There were seven (7) hauls (29.2%) that employed 

two different types of hooks, with 14.0 circle hooks used most commonly as the second hook 

(57.1%). The average soak duration was 10.9 hr.

Gulf of Mexico shark targeted trips: catch and bycatch

There were 1,302 individual animals caught on observed bottom longline hauls targeting 

shark in the Gulf of Mexico (Table 4). Sharks comprised 94.9% of the catch, followed by

teleosts (4.1%), invertebrates (0.5%), and batoids (0.2%). Large coastal shark species comprised 

69.5% of the shark catch, while small coastal shark species comprised 30.3% of the shark catch.

The dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, which is a prohibited shark species was also caught

(0.1% of shark catch). Red grouper was the most frequently caught species of teleost (56.6%)

and blacktip shark, C. limbatus, comprised the majority of the shark catch (34.7%). Length

frequencies of the shark species and their average sizes are presented in Figure 3 (for species

with n ≥ 10).
6

Figure 3. Length frequency (cm fork length) of sharks (n ≥ 10) observed caught on bottom

longline sets targeting shark in the Gulf of Mexico. Average fork length (cm) for each species is

indicted by an asterisk (*).

Gulf of Mexico shark targeted trips: protected species interactions

Interactions with protected resources were observed for bottom longline vessels fishing in 

the Gulf of Mexico region targeting shark (Table 5). Four (4) loggerhead sea turtles were

observed caught in bottom longline gear with two (2) released alive and two (2) released dead.

No (0) sawfish, sea bird, or marine mammal interactions were observed.

U.S. Atlantic Ocean shark targeted trips: gear and haul characteristics

There were 39 hauls on 21 trips observed targeting shark in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. The

mainline length ranged from 5.6 to 50.0 km with an average of 21.1 km. The average bottom
7

depth fished was 40.2 m and the number of hooks ranged from 96 to 1075 hooks with an average

of 587 hooks fished. The most commonly used hook was 12.0 J hooks (33.3%) with 18.0 circle

hooks also used frequently (23.1% of hauls). There were 10 hauls (25.6% of hauls) that

employed two different types of hooks, with 18.0 circle hooks used most commonly as the

second hook (50.0% of hauls using 2 hooks). The average soak duration was 11.9 hr.

U.S. Atlantic Ocean shark targeted trips: catch and bycatch

There were 2,735 individual animals caught on observed bottom longline hauls targeting 

shark in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean (Table 6). Sharks comprised 95.7% of the catch, followed by 

teleosts (2.5%), batoids (1.2%), and invertebrates (0.4%). Large coastal shark species comprised 

78.7% of the shark catch, while small coastal shark species comprised 19.2% of the shark catch.

Four prohibited shark species were caught including the dusky shark, sand tiger shark,

Carcharhias taurus, night shark, Carcharhinus signatus, and sixgill shark, Hexanchus griseus.

Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili, almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana, and great barracuda,

Sphyraena barracuda were the most frequently caught species of teleost (43.5%), and two 

species of shark, sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus, and tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier,

comprised the majority of the shark catch (61.4%). Length frequencies of the shark species and 

their average sizes are presented in Figure 4 (for species with n ≥ 10).
8

Figure 4. Length frequency (cm fork length) of sharks (n ≥ 10) observed caught on bottom

longline sets targeting shark in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Average fork length (cm) for each 

species is indicated by an asterisk (*).
9

U.S. Atlantic Ocean shark targeted trips: protected species interactions

Interactions with protected resources were observed for bottom longline vessels fishing in 

the U.S. Atlantic Ocean targeting shark (Table 7). Three (3) smalltooth sawfish, Pristis

pectinata, were observed caught in bottom longline gear; one (1) was released dead and two (2)

were released alive. No (0) sea turtle, sea bird, or marine mammal interactions were observed.

U.S. Atlantic Ocean tilefish targeted trips: gear and haul characteristics

There were 22 hauls on three (3) trips observed targeting tilefish in the U.S. Atlantic

Ocean. The mainline length ranged from 5.5 to 14.8 km with an average of 8.8 km. The average

bottom depth fished was 225.5 m and the number of hooks ranged from 265 to 712 hooks with 

an average of 479 hooks fished. The most commonly used hooks were 14.0 circle hooks (60.9%

of hauls). Seven (7) hauls (38.9% of hauls) employed two different types of hooks, with 12.0 J

hooks and 14.0 circle hooks used each time. The average soak duration was 0.6 hr.

U.S. Atlantic Ocean tilefish targeted trips: catch and bycatch

There were 1,293 individual animals caught on observed bottom longline hauls targeting 

tilefish in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean (Table 8). Teleosts comprised 97.2% of the catch, followed 

by sharks (2.5%), and invertebrates (0.2%). Large coastal shark species comprised 9.4% of the

shark catch, while no (0) small coastal shark species were caught. Other shark species were

caught including sevengill shark, Heptranchias perlo, shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, spiny 

dogfish, Squalus acanthias, and smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (87.5%). Tilefish, Lopholatilus

chamaeleonticeps, was the most frequently caught species of teleost (97.5%), and spiny dogfish

was the majority of the shark catch (75.0%). Length frequency and average size of the spiny 

dogfish (only species with n ≥ 10) is presented in Figure 5.
10

Figure 5. Length frequency (cm fork length) of sharks (n ≥ 10) observed caught on bottom

longline sets targeting tilefish in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Average fork length (cm) for each 

species is indicated by an asterisk (*).

U.S. Atlantic Ocean tilefish targeted trips: protected species interactions

There were no (0) protected species interactions observed for bottom longline vessels

fishing in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean region targeting tilefish.

Discussion

Observer coverage in 2007 focused primarily on vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and off

the southern U.S. Atlantic states, with the majority of observed trips targeting shark. As a result

of overlap in vessels targeting both shark and grouper/snapper in the same trip, observer

coverage was expanded to cover all vessels fishing with bottom longline gear regardless of target

in 2006. In addition, the closure of the shark fishery during the 1sttrimester has allowed for

coverage of vessels targeting tilefish and snapper-grouper that normally would be targeting 

sharks. This has proven to be very beneficial not only in providing information to support shark 

stock assessments but also to evaluate snapper-grouper bycatch rates in proposed South Atlantic

Fishery Management Council Marine Protected Areas. Information has also been gathered to 

support future stock assessments for groupers and tilefish as well as to derive protected species

(i.e. sea turtle, sea bird, marine mammal, and smalltooth sawfish) bycatch rates in the shark and

grouper-snapper bottom longline fishery.

The NMFS Office of Sustainable Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division (HMS) is

considering changes in the management of the Atlantic shark fishery to comply with the recent
11

stock assessment for sandbar sharks. Management alternatives range from status quo (i.e. no

change in quotas or seasons for large coastal sharks) to closing the Atlantic shark fishery.

Currently, HMS is considering as their preferred alternative (alternate suite #5) a small research 

fishery for sandbar sharks (i.e., sandbar sharks could only be possessed by vessels in this

program with a quota of 116.6 mt dw) and a limited fishery of other large coastal sharks

(retention limit of 21 sharks/vessel/trip) for vessels not in the program (K. Brewster-Geisz,

pers.comm.). HMS is currently working on the proposed rule with a plan to publish at the end of

July 2008. If this rule is adopted, the dynamics of the Atlantic shark fishery will change as will

the shark bottom longline observer program. How this shark bottom longline fishery will

respond is currently unknown, but observer coverage of the bottom longline fishery will continue

on all vessels regardless of target to better understand the changing dynamics of this fishery and 

its impact on all marine resources.

Acknowledgments

We thank S. Campbell, J. Combs, S. Cushner, B. Doughtie, S. Gulak, and P. Rabaut for

collecting data during the 2007 observer seasons.

Literature Cited

Beerkircher, L.R., C.J. Brown, D.L. Abercrombie, and D.W. Lee. 2004. SEFSC Pelagic

Observer Program Data Summary for 1992-2002. NOAA Technical Memorandum

NMFS-SEFSC-522, 25 p.

Hale, L.H. and J.K. Carlson. 2007. Characterization of the shark bottom longline fishery,

2005-2006. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-554, 28 p.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2003. Final Amendment 1 to the Fishery

Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks. Office of Sustainable

Fisheries. Highly Migratory Species Management Division, Silver Spring, Maryland.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2005. 2005 Guide for complying with the

regulations for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, Sharks, and Billfish, HMS, 39 p.

Richards, W.J. 1999. Problems with unofficial and inaccurate geographical names in the fisheries

literature. Marine Fisheries Review 61(3): 56-57.
12

Table 1. Number of trips, vessels, and hauls observed in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and

southern U.S. Atlantic Ocean (SA) for all target species. Target species include grouper (GRP), a

mix of grouper and shark (MIX), shark (SHX), or tilefish (TIL).

Area and Target Vessels Observed Trips Observed Hauls Observed

GOM GRP + MIX 8 11 179

GOM SHX 6 7 24

SA SHX 9 21 39

SA TIL 2 3 22

Total 25 42 264
13

Table 2. Number caught (n) and disposition of catch in percentage for all observed hauls

targeting grouper/snapper or grouper/tilefish mix in the Gulf of Mexico. Disposition of catch 

divided into kept (K), discard dead (DD), discard alive (DA), and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Epinephelus morio Red grouper 4411 36.6 11.7 51.5 0.2

Epinephelus flavolimbatus Yellowedge grouper 930 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Caulolatilus microps Blueline tilefish 560 98.9 0.2 0.0 0.9

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark 552 19.7 11.6 68.8 0.2

Lutjanus campechanus Red snapper 281 23.1 15.3 60.9 0.7

Carcharhinus acronotus Blacknose shark 215 9.8 12.6 77.2 0.5

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps Tilefish 214 99.5 0.5 0.0 0.0

Mycteroperca phenax Scamp 202 92.1 3.0 4.5 0.5

Epinephelus niveatus Snowy grouper 176 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Mycteroperca microlepis Gag grouper 149 98.0 0.7 1.3 0.0

Muraenidae Moray eel family 132 95.5 3.0 1.5 0.0

Ophichthus ocellatus Pale-spotted eel 65 95.4 0.0 4.6 0.0

Sparidae Porgy family 63 92.1 3.2 4.8 0.0

Lutjanus analis Mutton snapper 59 98.3 0.0 1.7 0.0

Epinephelus drummondhayi Speckled hind 59 89.8 3.4 6.8 0.0

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 51 94.1 2.0 2.0 2.0

Ginglymostoma cirratum Nurse shark 50 2.0 0.0 96.0 2.0

Urophycis floridana Southern hake 48 85.4 2.1 12.5 0.0

Seriola dumerili Greater amberjack 40 67.5 2.5 27.5 2.5

Mustelus canis Smooth dogfish 38 2.6 0.0 97.4 0.0

Carcharhinus falciformis Silky shark 37 8.1 32.4 59.5 0.0

Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper 35 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Hexanchus vitulus Bigeye sixgill shark 34 0.0 23.5 76.5 0.0

Echeneidae Remora family 34 20.6 23.5 55.9 0.0

Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip shark 32 28.1 28.1 34.4 9.4

Carcharhinus plumbeus Sandbar shark 31 12.9 6.5 77.4 3.2

Calamus proridens Littlehead porgy 31 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Porifera Sponges 25 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Congridae Conger eel family 22 95.5 0.0 4.5 0.0

Gymnothorax moring Spotted moray eel 21 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Haemulon album Margate grunt 17 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Balistes capriscus Gray triggerfish 16 93.8 0.0 6.3 0.0

Trachinocephalus myops Snakefish 16 81.3 0.0 18.8 0.0

Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger shark 15 13.3 0.0 86.7 0.0

Anthozoa Corals 14 7.1 85.7 7.1 0.0

Mollusca Molluscs 14 0.0 85.7 14.3 0.0

Neomerinthe hemingwayi Spinycheek scorpionfish 14 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Seriola sp. Amberjacks 13 92.3 0.0 7.7 0.0

Batrachoididae Toadfish family 12 16.7 41.7 41.7 0.0

Sphyraenidae Barracuda family 12 66.7 0.0 33.3 0.0

Haemulon plumieri White grunt 10 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Lutjanus griseus Gray snapper 10 90.0 10.0 0.0 0.0

Rhomboplites aurorubens Vermillion snapper 10 30.0 10.0 60.0 0.0

Squalus acanthias Spiny dogfish 9 11.1 0.0 88.9 0.0
14

Table 2 Continued.

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Remora remora Remora 9 44.4 0.0 55.6 0.0

Rachycentron canadum Cobia 9 88.9 11.1 0.0 0.0

Pagrus pagrus Red porgy 9 77.8 22.2 0.0 0.0

Raja eglanteria Clearnose skate 7 14.3 0.0 85.7 0.0

Cancer spp. Cancer crab 7 0.0 28.6 71.4 0.0

Opsanus pardus Leopard toadfish 7 57.1 14.3 28.6 0.0

Euthynnus alletteratus Little tunny 7 85.7 14.3 0.0 0.0

Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 7 71.4 14.3 14.3 0.0

Elasmobranchii Sharks 6 16.7 16.7 66.7 0.0

Caranx crysos Bluerunner 6 83.3 0.0 16.7 0.0

Echeneis naucrates Sharksucker 6 0.0 16.7 83.3 0.0

Sarda sarda Bonito 6 83.3 16.7 0.0 0.0

Scomberomorus cavalla King mackerel 6 83.3 16.7 0.0 0.0

Synodontidae Lizardfish family 6 83.3 16.7 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinus brevipinna Spinner shark 5 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Scyliorhinus retifer Chain catshark 5 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Calappa flammea Flame box crab 5 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Anguilliformes Eels 5 80.0 0.0 20.0 0.0

Malacanthus plumieri Sand tilefish 5 80.0 0.0 20.0 0.0

Thunnus atlanticus Blackfin tuna 5 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Teleosteii Unknown fishes 5 40.0 0.0 0.0 60.0

Caranx hippos Crevalle jack 4 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Coryphaena hippurus Dolphinfish 4 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf kingfish 4 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0

Dasyatis americana Southern stingray 3 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dasyatis sp. Stingrays 3 33.3 0.0 66.7 0.0

Carcharhinus signatus Night shark 3 33.3 0.0 66.7 0.0

Sphyrna sp. Hammerhead sharks 3 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Balistes vetula Queen triggerfish 3 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Holocentrus sp. Squirrelfishes 3 66.7 0.0 33.3 0.0

Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper 3 66.7 0.0 33.3 0.0

Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose ray 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinidae Requiem shark family 2 0.0 0.0 50.0 50.0

Sphyrna mokarran Great hammerhead shark 2 0.0 50.0 50.0 0.0

Crustacea Sand fleas 2 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Lutjanus synagris Lane snapper 2 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Epinephelus adscensionis Rock hind 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Diplectrum formosum Sand perch 2 50.0 0.0 50.0 0.0

Dasyatis centroura Roughtail stingray 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Rajiformes Skates and rays 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Alopias superciliosus Bigeye thresher shark 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinus obscurus Dusky shark 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Asteroidea Sea star 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Nephropidae Lobster 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0

Echinodermata Sea urchin 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Majidae Spider crab 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Polychaeta Worm 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Caranx sp. Jacks 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0
15

Table 2 Continued.

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Brotula barbata

Bearded

brotula 1

100.

0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Thunnus obesus Bigeye tuna 1

100.

0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Acanthocybium solanderi Wahoo 1

100.

0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Scorpaenidae

Scorpionfish

family 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Serranidae

Grouper 

family 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Epinephelus itajara

Goliath

grouper 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Epinephelus guttatus Red hind 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Synodus intermedius Sanddiver 1

100.

0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Tetraodontidae Puffer family 1

100.

0 0.0 0.0 0.0
16

Table 3. Number (n) of protected species interactions for all observed hauls targeting

grouper/snapper or grouper/shark mix in the Gulf of Mexico. Disposition of catch divided into

released dead (RD), released alive (RA), and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % RD % RA % U

Larinae sp. Gull 1 100.0 0.0 0.0

Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle 1 0.0 100.0 0.0
17

Table 4. Number caught (n) and disposition of catch in percentage for all observed hauls

targeting shark in the Gulf of Mexico. Disposition of catch divided into kept (K), discard dead 

(DD), discard alive (DA), and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip shark 428 95.6 3.7 0.7 0.0

Carcharhinus acronotus Blacknose shark 199 74.9 20.6 4.5 0.0

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark 174 57.5 42.5 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinus plumbeus Sandbar shark 160 98.8 0.0 0.0 1.3

Ginglymostoma cirratum Nurse shark 95 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Carcharhinus brevipinna Spinner shark 56 96.4 0.0 1.8 1.8

Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger shark 34 8.8 8.8 82.4 0.0

Negaprion brevirostris Lemon shark 32 84.4 3.1 0.0 12.5

Epinephelus morio Red grouper 30 60.0 23.3 16.7 0.0

Carcharhinus leucas Bull shark 29 96.6 0.0 0.0 3.4

Sphyrna mokarran Great hammerhead shark 21 61.9 0.0 38.1 0.0

Epinephelus itajara Goliath grouper 13 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Bagre marinus Gafftopsail catfish 6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Porifera Sponges 5 0.0 80.0 0.0 20.0

Elasmobranchii Sharks 2 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Sphyrna lewini Scalloped hammerhead shark 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dasyatis sp. Stingrays 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Aetobatis narinari Spotted eagle ray 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Carcharhinus obscurus Dusky shark 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Carcharhinus isodon Finetooth shark 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinus falciformis Silky shark 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Anthozoa Coral 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Mollusca Mollusc 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Anguilliformes Eel 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Mycteroperca microlepis Gag grouper 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Teleosteii Unknown fish 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
18

Table 5. Number (n) of protected species interactions for all observed hauls targeting shark in 

the Gulf of Mexico. Disposition of catch divided into released dead (RD), released alive (RA),

and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % RD % RA % U

Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle 4 50.0 50.0 0.0
19

Table 6. Number caught (n) and disposition of catch in percentage for all observed hauls

targeting shark in the southern U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Disposition of catch divided into kept (K),

discard dead (DD), discard alive (DA), and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Carcharhinus plumbeus Sandbar shark 827 98.8 0.1 0.1 1.0

Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger shark 779 23.2 19.4 56.9 0.5

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark 352 91.5 7.7 0.6 0.3

Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip shark 243 98.8 0.8 0.0 0.4

Carcharhinus acronotus Blacknose shark 148 98.0 2.0 0.0 0.0

Ginglymostoma cirratum Nurse shark 83 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Sphyrna lewini Scalloped hammerhead shark 37 91.9 2.7 2.7 2.7

Sphyrna mokarran Great hammerhead shark 29 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Raja eglanteria Clearnose skate 22 90.9 0.0 9.1 0.0

Carcharhinus leucas Bull shark 21 90.5 4.8 0.0 4.8

Carcharhinus brevipinna Spinner shark 17 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinus falciformis Silky shark 15 73.3 20.0 6.7 0.0

Mustelus canis Smooth dogfish 14 71.4 0.0 28.6 0.0

Carcharhinus obscurus Dusky shark 13 0.0 84.6 15.4 0.0

Seriola dumerili Greater amberjack 10 90.0 0.0 10.0 0.0

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 10 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0

Seriola rivoliana Almaco jack 10 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhias taurus Sand tiger shark 10 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Elasmobranchii Sharks 10 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Negaprion brevirostris Lemon shark 9 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Hexanchus griseus Sixgill shark 7 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Porifera Sponges 6 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Anthozoa Corals 5 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Epinephelus morio Red grouper 5 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dasyatis centroura Roughtail stingray 5 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper 4 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Mycteroperca microlepis Gag grouper 4 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Epinephelus itajara Goliath grouper 4 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Lutjanus analis Mutton snapper 4 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dasyatis sp. Stingrays 4 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Rachycentron canadum Cobia 3 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Epinephelus nigritus Warsaw grouper 3 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead shark 3 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dasyatis americana Southern stingray 3 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Remora remora Remora 2 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Centropristis striata Black seabass 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Sphyraenidae Barracuda family 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Coryphaena hippurus Dolphinfish 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Scianops ocellatus Red drum 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Brotula barbata Bearded brotula 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Ophichthus ocellatus Pale-spotted eel 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Serranidae Grouper family 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0
20

Table 6 Continued.

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Mycteroperca phenax Scamp 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinus signatus Night shark 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Carcharhinidae Requiem shark family 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0

Caulolatilus cyanops Blackline tilefish 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0
21

Table 7. Number (n) of protected species interactions for all observed hauls targeting shark in 

the southern U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Disposition of catch divided into released dead (RD), released 

alive (RA), and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % RD % RA % U

Pristis pectinata Smalltooth sawfish 3 33.3 66.7 0.0
22

Table 8. Number caught (n) and disposition of catch in percentage for all observed hauls

targeting tilefish in the southern U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Disposition of catch divided into kept (K),

discard dead (DD), discard alive (DA), and unknown (U).

Scientific Name Common Name n % K % DD % DA % U

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps Tilefish 1226 99.8 0.2 0.0 0.0

Urophycis floridana Southern hake 27 33.3 11.1 55.6 0.0

Squalus acanthias Spiny dogfish 24 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Carcharhinus brevipinna Spinner shark 3 0.0 33.3 66.7 0.0

Caulolatilus chrysops Goldface tilefish 3 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Squalidae Dogfish family 2 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Cancer irroratus Atlantic rock crab 2 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Heptranchias perlo Sevengill shark 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Isurus oxyrinchus Shortfin mako shark 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0

Mustelus canis Smooth dogfish 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Asteroidea Sea star 1 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0

Congridae Conger eel family 1 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Teleosteii Unknown fish 1 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0