Marine Mammal Human/Gear Interactions Data

The Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratories is responsible for new gear development and testing to reduce bycatch and incidental interactions of protected species. In 2003, gear taken from a Bryde’s whale was sent for identification and to provide details on the possible origin of the interaction. This exercise prompted an initiative by the Southeast Regional Office and the SEFSC to develop a gear repository for the Southeast region. Soon thereafter a database was created to track all reported human interactions with marine mammals. Fishing gear and other articles from human interactions are collected by the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network and shipped to the gear repository for analysis and archiving. The gear is reviewed by staff gear experts that have a background in the particular fishery or commercial/recreational application.