Table 2. Comparison of sea turtle mitigation measures and safe release equipment for longline fishery among tuna related regional fisheries management organizations and U.S. CFR

Mitigation measures Safe release equipment
WCPFC Shallow-set Employ or implement at least one of the three measuresa. Use only large circle hooks (offset not exceed 10 degrees)b. Use only finfish for baitc. Use any other mitigation or activity approved by the Commission Line cutters, de-hookers
Other(deep-set) Undertake research trials of circle hooks and other mitigations
IATTC Shallow-set Employ or implement at least one of the three measuresa. Use only large circle hooks (offset not exceed 10 degrees)b. Use only finfish for baitc. Use any other mitigation or activity approved by the Commission
Other(deep-set) Undertake research trials of circle hooks and other mitigations
IOTC Use of whole finfish for bait
ICCAT None
U.S. CFR Required to implement all measures;• Use only 16 or larger (non-offset) or 18 or larger (offset not exceed 10 degrees) circle hooks• Use only whole Atlantic mackerel and/or squid bait Line cutters, de-hookers, extended reach handle, long-handled device to pull an ‘inverted V’, dip-net, tire, bolt cutters, long-nose or needle-nose pliers, mouth openers etc.
WCPFC, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; IATTC, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission; IOTC, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission; ICCAT, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; CFR, Code of Federal Regulations.