Shark and Marine Conservation   Deep concerns Longlining Trawling Coral reefs Marine pollution     Longlining One of the major contributors to overfishing of fish stocks around the globe is longlining, an indiscriminate fishing practice that can involve a boat spooling out as many as 81 miles of line with up to 40,000 baited hooks. Anchored to the seabed at one end, the line is set at a predetermined depth using sophisticated computers, depth sounders and satellite information and then left for up to 24 hours. Whilst primarily targeting many valuable species of large tuna and swordfish, this fishing gear is responsible for the unintended death of seabirds, sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, sea lions, marlin and sailfish. Research shows that the catch rate for target species is as little as two in every 100 hooks set. Even then, this fishing technique can not discriminate between size and species. Longlining is a massive contributor to 'overfishing' and 'by-catch' Approx. 40,000 sea turtles fall victim to longlining each year Around 180,000 seabirds are hooked and drowned each year Some shark populations have been reduced by 90% As a result some shark populations have been decimated by 90% and longlines are responsible for the estimated deaths of 40,000 sea turtles and 180,000 seabirds every year. Longlines can also be set vertically, with a target catch of tuna, swordfish, cod and patagonian toothfish. Unfortunately the same rules apply.