A Symposium on Circle Hooks

Great Hammerhead

Over the last decade, a growing number of studies have investigated the biological and socioeconomic effects of using circle hooks in a variety of fisheries and for the potential benefit of a wide diversity of target and bycatch organisms. Study outcomes, however, have varied depending on:

• The hook types, shapes and dimensions compared
• The target or bycatch species and body sizes examined
• The performance measures (e.g., catch, mortality and injury rates) investigated
• The study designs adopted
• The statistical analyses performed
• Numerous other factors associated with bait, fishing technique, environment and region of study

Green Turtle

Because interpreting heterogeneous studies and their results is difficult, and resistance to changing traditional fishing practices is the norm, circle hook performance has not been adequately tested, let alone adopted, in fisheries where circle hooks might extend conservation benefits. For the conservation benefits of circle hook use to be fully realized, greater consensus among the international scientific, management and conservation communities is required as to what defines a circle hook and under what circumstances this relatively inexpensive technology should, and should not, be applied.

Tarpon in the blue

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service is the primary symposium sponsor.  Please visit our Sponsor page for a list of others. We are grateful for their support!