Innovative solutions saving sharks

Longline fishing, vital for small-scale fishers targeting tuna and billfish, often results in accidental shark bycatch, threatening vulnerable shark populations. In La Reunion, a project was developed to address this by assessing shark survival after accidental capture and testing methods to reduce mortality. In three phases, researchers tagged and released sharks, identifying that cutting branch lines closer to the hook significantly improved survival. A prototype automatic branch line cutter was also developed to minimize risks for both sharks and fishers. The project raised awareness among fishers, promoting sustainable practices and advancing shark conservation efforts.