Overlap between WCPFC longline fishing effort and albatross distribution in the North Pacific
Source URL
Citation
Baird K, Dias MP, Schaffer S, et al (2013) Overlap between WCPFC longline fishing effort and albatross distribution in the North Pacific. In: WCPFC Scientific Committee 9th Regular Session. WCPFC‐SC9‐2013/EB-WP-14, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Abstract
This paper estimates spatial and temporal overlap between the distribution of North Pacific
albatrosses and Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) longline fishing effort,
highlighting areas and seasons of overlap where there is a higher risk of seabird bycatch. The results
highlight the importance of the WCPFC area for all the three albatross species, and their widespread
use of high seas areas, in particular the Laysan and the black-footed albatrosses. Black-footed
albatross has the highest overlap score. Short-tailed albatross has a more northerly distribution, but
overlap occurs in the North West Pacific during the breeding season.