Experimental pelagic surface longline data collected during NOAA R/V Townsend Cromwell cruise in 1990 at the SE Hancock Seamount

During Townsend Cromwell (TC) Cruise 90-06, experimental pelagic longlining was conducted for swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Pelagic longline gear consisted of a 0.79 cm diameter nylon/cotton line, which is negatively buoyant. Length of mainline was initially 2,055 m but was later expanded to 2,878 m. During the first five sets, No. 28 circle hooks were used with a dropper length of 1 m. Thereafter, length of 3.6 m were used. During most sets the mainline was buoyed to the surface at 411 m interval and droppers attached to the mainline at 14.5 m intervals. On each set, a single blue or green chemiluminescent Cyalume stick was attached to the snap end of every other dropper. The majority of sets had hooks baited with whole Loligo squid. All sets were soaked during the night; soak time was 2.5-3.5 hours.