Regional fisheries management organizations, non-governmental organizations and even instances such as European Union with markets and common policies, have called on fishery industry and coastal, port and flag states to adopt measures to reduce and control bycatches which is a critical component in the evolution of responsible fishing practices. Bycatch is a critical component in the evolution of responsible fishing practices. The viability of the spatial-temporal approach to reduce sea turtle bycatch in surface longline fisheries was evaluated using a methodology that analyzed the bycatch ratio related to objective catches. This approach exposes an analytical tool to assess temporary space closures for improved fisheries. The calculations suggest that towards the second and third quarter it would be possible to decrease bycatch up to a cumulative percentage of the order of 25% of the capture of sea turtles, if effort reduction measures are taken through a temporary space closure strategy. However, defining for consensual actions requires that the longline fishery be monitored more closely than is currently being done.

The analysis was practical, interesting and adaptable even in an area of fisheries with limited information available, such as the Panamanian longline fishery.