Weather conditions have a significant impact on longlining in various ways: Safety: Rough seas, storms, or strong winds can make deploying and retrieving longlines hazardous. High waves or turbulent waters can endanger the crew, potentially leading to accidents or overboard incidents. Equipment Stress: Strong currents, driven by wind and weather patterns, can strain or break the longlines. Additionally, rough conditions can lead to tangled lines or even lost gear. Bait and Catch Impact: Stormy conditions might cause bait to be stripped from hooks or become less effective due to reduced visibility. Turbulent waters can also lead to reduced catch rates if target species dive deeper or move out of the area. Fish Behavior: Weather conditions can influence water temperature and oxygen levels, affecting the behavior and distribution of fish. For instance, some species might move to deeper waters during a hot spell. Operational Delays: Adverse weather can delay setting or retrieving lines, impacting the fishing schedule and potentially reducing the overall catch. Navigation: Fog, heavy rain, or storms can impede visibility, making it challenging to navigate and locate the exact positions for deploying or retrieving longlines.