Résumé
For the pelagic longline fisheries (PLF) knowledge of both behavior and distribution of fish for target species (mainly tunas and swordfish) are not sufficient to mitigate: (i) non-sustainable fisheries interactions with endangered, protected, and threatened megafauna and (ii) the impact of fishing pressure on non-managed bycatch species. An indirect impact of PLF on marine ecosystems concerns the removal of marine resources used as bait. Many bait species (squid, mackerel, sardine) might serve as important source of natural protein for direct human consumption. In the meantime, natural bait used in the tuna industry as well as non-processed dead discards and post processing fish remains are source of organic wastes. In the context of the ecosystem approach to fisheries the substitution of natural bait with artificial analogue is a major challenge to be addressed by gear technologists. Such an innovation might alternate the extremely negative perception of pelagic longline gear. Here we present preliminary results from fishing trials undertaken in 2012 with an artificial bait prototype developed for PLF in the EU MADE project. Insights obtained from these first results allow us to define new directions in research to be planned.