FAO/FIIT Fishing Gear Type Fact-Sheet Drifting longlines [LLD] updated : 10-mai-2001 ISSCFG Classification : > Category : Drifting longlines Profile General Description: A drifting longline consists of a mainline kept near the surface or at a certain depth by means of regularly spaced floats and with relatively long snoods with baited hooks, evenly spaced on the mainline. Drifting longlines may be of considerable length. Some drifting longlines are set vertically, each line hanging from a float at the surface. Specific Handling Equipment: A longline for pelagic fishing is traditionally stored in pieces, in a series of baskets which may take much space on the deck. More modern solutions include storage of the longline on adrum orreels; spools can be used for keeping buoy lines, long snoods, etc. Thicker, multifilament, longline are stored in large bin (acoiling machine is normally used for setting the line into the bin). The baiting of hooks may be manual or by a machine (baiting machine).Shooting machines are often used. Vessels are usually equipped with a poweredline hauler. Fishing Vessels using this gear: Longliners Drifting longlines are usually set from the stern of a vessel. At the end of each unit (basket) a buoy with a flag or lamp is set for marking purposes. With the help of the buoy line the fishing depth can be regulated. The hooks are baited and the branch lines are fixed on the main line, in general, during setting. When the whole line has been set the gear is left drifting for some time. Features Target Species: Pelagic species as tuna, swordfish and sharks Areas: All The Gear and its Environment: Deployment Area: The method is typical of high seas fisheries but it is also widely used in the national EEZ, sometimes, when the continental shelf is not large, not so far from the coast. Impact on Aquatic Species: Bycatch of sharks, sometimes turtles, and catch of seabirds are the main negative impacts (see IPOA's Seabirds and Sharks).