Tuna fishing methods

The main method to catch tunas and billfish is a pelagic longline.

How pelagic longlines work

  • Baited hooks are attached to the longline by short lines called snoods that are clipped on to the mainline.

  • The longline can be many kilometres long and can carry thousands of hooks.

  • Pelagic longlines are not anchored and are set to drift in the pelagic layer of the ocean with a radio beacon attached so that the vessel can track and find them to haul in the catch.