[1] The Japanese-flagged longliners land their catch in Japan; the other 39 vessels were domestically-based (i.e., based from the Marshall Islands seaport at Majuro, the State's capitol).
[1] Recently, a seasonal pelagic longline fishery has developed for albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) at grounds on the high seas adjacent to the Marshall Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.
[3] From 2007-2009, through onboard observer coverage of 124 longline trips, observers reported the capture of 5 green (Chelonia mydas), 1 hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), 14 leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), 3 olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), 2 unidentified species sea turtles, and 3 toothed whales of identified species.
Based on 2009 observer data, sharks and rays compose about 18% of total catch by weight by the Marshall Islands longline fishery.
[1] Bromhead et al. (2012) found that in 2009, the most recent year of available observer data, the fishery had discontinued the use of fishing gear and methods known to be employed to target sharks (using large pieces of fish meat as bait, and placing baited hooks near the surface by attaching branchlines to floats), which had been employed in previous years of the study period (2005-2008).