Underwater Bait Setting as best practice seabird bycatch mitigation in pelagic longline fisheries

The Underwater Bait Setting technique is proposed for review against criteria for assessing and recommending as best practice seabird bycatch mitigation in pelagic longline fisheries. Experimental and operational data are now available concerning the performance of Underwater Bait Setting in the Australian Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, the Uruguayan Pelagic Longline Fishery and the New Zealand Pelagic Longline Fishery. The Advisory Committee has adopted six best practice seabird bycatch mitigation criteria developed by the Seabird Bycatch Working Group for assessing and recommending best practice advice on seabird bycatch mitigation measures. An assessment of Underwater Bait Setting is provided against these criteria.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That SBWG reviews the assessment of Underwater Bait Setting against criteria for assessing and recommending as best practice seabird bycatch mitigation.
2. That SBWG considers recommending Underwater Bait Setting as best practice seabird bycatch mitigation in pelagic longline fisheries.