Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Intake Form

October 2021

THIS IS A VOLUNTARY SURVEY

OMB Control No.: 0648-0774
Expiration Date: 12/31/2021

Sea Turtle Hook & Line Incidental Capture Intake Form
Instructions
Introduction: All sea turtles in United States waters are listed as threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). When sea turtle distribution overlaps with commercial and
recreational fishing effort, sea turtles may be accidentally captured in the fishing gear. For commercial
fisheries, observers are often placed on vessels to better understand these interactions. These
observations provide insight into how and why these interactions occur and the impact of the
interactions on sea turtle populations. In contrast, recreational fishing often occurs from shore, piers,
and private vessels making traditional observer coverage challenging. Therefore, alternative data
collection methods must be considered. NOAA Fisheries will use this information to gain similar
insights into recreational fishing interactions and impacts. Pier is used as a general term, and the form
can be used for recreational fishing interactions on any fishing structure (e.g., jetty, pier, boat, shore).
Angler Interview: Questions 1 – 3 should be asked of the angler by the sea turtle stranding responder.
If the angler is not available, please answer as many questions as possible.
1) Where was angler fishing? Circle location from choices given. Beach includes beaches,
bulkheads and anything that is parallel to the shoreline and does NOT extend out over the
water. Pier includes any structures that extend over the water such as piers, docks, etc.
2) What was angler fishing for? Select up to two target species. If angler names >2 species,
choose: Anything. Species are region specific.
3) Bait used: Circle bait type used. If using whole or cut fish circle appropriate choice, record
species if possible.
Gear Information: Questions 4 – 8 may be asked of the angler by the sea turtle stranding responder or
recorded at the rehabilitation facility. If possible, try and collect the fishing gear. If the angler will not
provide the gear, record the information on site. If the angler is not available, please answer as many
questions as possible. Please use calipers to measure the hook.
4) Hook type used: Identify type of hook used based on examples and descriptions below.

Gape

Circle hook

•
•
•
•

Treble hook

J-hook

Kahle hook

Circle hook: only hook with the tip curved back towards the shank at a 90° angle.
Treble hook: consists of three hooks with a single eye, often used with artificial lures.
J-hook: the shank is straight and resembles the letter “J” and the point and barb do not point
toward the shank.
Kahle hook: curved back in an oval shape with the hook point pointed toward the hook eye;
distance between the point and the shank is much greater than on a circle hook.
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December 2018

THIS IS A VOLUNTARY SURVEY

5) Record if the hook is Inline, Offset, Undetermined or Not
Applicable (NA). On an offset hook, the tip of the hook is not in line
with the eye. The degree of offset can vary.
6) Is the hook barbless? Circle no or yes.
7) What is the hook Total Length (mm): measure the
total length from the top of the eye to the bottom of the
hook, as shown on page 1.
A metric vernier caliper is recommended for recording
hook measurements.
8) What is the Gape (mm)? Measure the Gape from the
tip of the point to the inside of the shank, as shown on
page 1.
Interaction Information: Questions 9 – 14 may be recorded by the sea turtle stranding responder
and/or the rehabilitation facility staff depending on the type of hooking and gear location. If possible,
please take photos of the gear interaction before removing the gear.
9) Interaction type: select the appropriate type of interaction between the sea turtle and the
fishing gear.
10) Hook/Gear Location: select the answer that describes the location of the gear. If the hook is
NOT visible inside the mouth it is considered swallowed.
11) If turtle was released by the angler, was the hook and all line removed? Select answer.
12) If no, amount of line remaining on turtle (inches) ______. Ask angler to estimate
how much line was still attached to the hook when the line was cut.
13) Hook Removal: select the answer(s) that describe how the hook was removed. If an instrument
was used, write what type in the blank. If an angler used an instrument select BOTH A) and I).
If the hook was not removed, was it monitored for passage or was the animal released with the
hook still in place?
14) Were any other hooks observed (either on radiograph or visually)? If additional hooks are
observed, please answer the questions describing hook type, size and location for each
additional hook in the animal.
Additional Comments: Please include any additional comments regarding the interaction that were
not already recorded.
Questions 15 – 26 are only answered if additional hooks are observed.
*If possible, please take photos of the gear interaction before removing the gear. Please collect
the fishing gear and contact your State Coordinator for instructions on disposition of gear. Submit
this form along with your STSSN form to your State Coordinator.
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