Definitions and descriptions of net fisheries

At the Fifth Meeting of the SBWG in 2013 it was noted that there are a wide variety of net fisheries and there will likely be a wide variation in the risks posed by these fisheries to seabirds. This paper aims to describe and define net fishing methods other than trawl, to enable the SBWG to better target and classify mitigation needs amongst these fisheries, and thus allow the development of best practice mitigation advice where relevant. Due to the limited literature on seabird bycatch risk posed by some of these fisheries, we request information from Parties and other members and observers of the SBWG to inform further assessment of risks posed by these fisheries.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That the SBWG recognise and adopt the nomenclature and classification of the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear for net fishing types.
2. That the SBWG recognise that gillnets and entangling nets pose risks to ACAP listed species, and consider developing best practice mitigation advice for these fisheries.
3. That the SBWG gather information and further review the risks posed to seabirds by net fisheries other than trawl and gillnet and entangling nets, in order to identify any other fisheries where it may be appropriate to develop best practice mitigation advice.