Developing a guide on removing entangled seabird from nets

Entanglement of seabirds occurs across a range of net fishing gear in commercial, artisanal and recreational capture fisheries. Some information is available about removing bycaught seabirds from nets in the bycatch mitigation fact sheet concerning net entanglement in trawl fisheries. Better information about appropriate practices and procedures would assist with the safe handling and disentanglement of seabirds, and would help to maximise the chance of survival of seabirds entangled in nets including albatrosses and petrels. This paper proposes that a best practice guide on removing entangled seabirds from nets be developed. The proposed guide would complement information in the de-hooking guide.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That SBWG considers recommending that a best practice guide on removing entangled seabirds from nets be developed.
2. That SBWG considers recommending core funding from the Advisory Committee budgetary appropriation be allocated to support developing this best practice guide.