Longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish catch millions of sharks as bycatch annually. These sharks often endure prolonged suffering before dying or being discarded.
Longline-caught sharks endure prolonged stress and physical damage from hours hooked at depth before hauling. Many are then killed or discarded alive in severely compromised condition. Circle hooks are proven to reduce shark bycatch rates while maintaining or improving target species catch efficiency. Live release protocols that minimize air exposure and maximize blood oxygenation improve survival rates of released sharks. Consumer demand for sustainable seafood certified by organizations that include bycatch standards drives adoption.