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Pelagic Observer Research

Observer data is used in the population assessments of target species, bycatch, and protected species. In addition, observer data has been used in a variety of publications produced by NOAA scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia. A partial list is shown below:

Peer-reviewed Reports:

• Witzell, W.N. 1998. Distribution and relative abundance of sea turtles caught incidentally by the U.S. pelagic longline fleet in the western north Atlantic ocean, 1992-1995. Fishery Bulletin 97: 200-211.
• Baum, J. K. & R. Myers. 2004. Shifting baselines and the decline of pelagic sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. Ecology Letters7:135-145.
• Beerkircher, L.R., E. Cortes, and M. Shivji. 2002. Characteristics of shark bycatch observed on pelagic longlines off the southeastern United States, 1992-2000. Marine Fisheries Review 64 (4) 40-49.

Unpublished Reports:

• Garrison, L.P. 2003. Summary of target species and protected resource catch rates by hook and bait type in the pelagic longline fishery in the Gulf of Mexico 1992-2002. National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL SEFSC Contribution # PRD-02/03-08 12p.
• Scott, G.P. and C.A. Brown. 1997. Estimates of marine mammals and marine turtles catch by the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet in 1994-95. National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami Laboratory Contribution Number MIA-96/97-28, 31p.
• Hoey, J.J. and N. Moore. 1999. Multi-species catch characteristics for the US Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. Captain's Report. National Marine Fisheries-NOAA-NMFS. Marfin Grant-NA77FF0543, (SK) Grant-NA86FD0113. 78p.
• Keene, K.F., L.R. Beerkircher, and D.W. Lee. 2007. SEFSC pelagic observer program data summary for 1992-2004. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS SEFSC-562.

NOAA Tech Memos

• Beerkircher, L., C.A. Brown, and V. Restrepo. 2009. Pelagic observer program data summary, Gulf of Mexico bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) spawning season 2007 and 2008; and analysis of observer coverage levels. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-588, 33 p.
• Beerkircher, L, D. Lee, and G. Hinteregger. 2008. Roundscale spearfish Tetrapturus georgii (Lowe, 1840); updated morphology, distribution, and relative abundance in the western north Atlantic. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-571.
• Garrison, L.P and P.M. Richards. 2004. Estimated Bycatch of Marine Mammals and Turtles in the U.S. Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fleet During 2003. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-527: 57p.
• Epperly, S, L. Stokes and S. Dick. 2004. Careful release protocols for sea turtle release with minimal injury. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-524, 42 P.
• Garrison, L.P. 2003. Estimated bycatch of marine mammals and turtles in the U.S. Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fleet during 2001-2002. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-515, 52p.
• Beerkircher, L.R., C.J. Brown, D.L. Abercrombie and D.W. Lee. 2004. SEFSC Pelagic Longline Observer Program data summary for 1992-2002, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-522, 25 P.
  • Update: Errata Sheet For Tech Memo 522
• Beerkircher, L.R., C.J. Brown and D.W. Lee. 2002. SEFSC Pelagic Longline Observer Program data summary for 1992-2000, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-486, 26 P.
• Yeung, C. 2001. Estimates of marine mammal and marine turtle bycatch by the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet in 1999-2000. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-467, 43p.
• Yeung, C. 1999. Estimates of marine mammal and marine turtle bycatch by the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet in 1998. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-430, 26p.
• Johnson, D.R., C. Yeung and C. A. Brown. 1999. Estimates of marine mammal and marine turtle bycatch by the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fleet in 1992-1997. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-418, 70p.
• Witzell, W.N. and J. Cramer. 1995. Estimates of sea turtle bycatch by the U.S. Pelagic Longline Fleet in the western north Atlantic Ocean. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-359, 14p.