ACAP advice for reducing the impact of pelagic longline fishing operations on seabirds WCPFC

Citation
ACAP (2019) ACAP advice for reducing the impact of pelagic longline fishing operations on seabirds WCPFC. In: WCPFC Scientific Committee 15th Regular Session. WCPFC-SC15-2019/EB-IP-03, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Abstract

Bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries is one of the greatest threats to seabirds, particularly
albatrosses and petrels. The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP
https://acap.aq/) provides a range of advice, guidelines and resources aimed at advancing the
conservation of albatrosses and petrels. ACAP routinely reviews and updates its advice, most
recently in May 2019, at the Ninth Meeting of the ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group and
the Eleventh Meeting of its Advisory Committee, and this paper outlines the latest advice and
resources available. ACAP Parties noted with concern the continuing conservation crisis facing
albatrosses and petrels, and the need for urgent and increased efforts to counter this crisis.
Despite all the research and attention devoted to the development of best practice bycatch
mitigation measures, these have not been sufficiently implemented to halt the decline of many
albatross and petrel populations. This included lack of compliance with measures required by
regulatory bodies. Within jurisdictions where enforcement had occurred, reductions in seabird
bycatch were demonstrated, sometimes dramatically so and without perceived detrimental
consequences arising. ACAP is in the process of developing new and augmented areas of focus
and activities for the immediate and longer term, including an ongoing emphasis on ways in
which it can work with Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and others to enhance
implementation of strategies and actions to reduce bycatch of seabirds in fishing operations,
acknowledging that this needs to be done at a range of different scales. In addition, ACAP is
working towards communicating more effectively the conservation crisis facing albatrosses and
petrels, and its advice regarding how best to address the threats that these seabirds face.