In 1992, observers studied a new fishing method in the U.S. Northwest Atlantic targeting tuna and swordfish. They found that albacore tuna was the most caught species, with yellowfin and bigeye tuna also targeted. Bycatch included swordfish, sharks, rays, other fish, and marine mammals. The fishing mainly took place at night along the shelf edge from June to November. Swordfish were restricted to bycatch, leading vessels to focus on tuna.