Preliminary Identification of Minimum Elements to Review the Effectiveness of Searbird By-catch Mitigation Regulations in Tuna RFMOs | Bycatch Management Information System (BMIS)

Small C, Wolfaardt A, Tuck G, et al (2015) Preliminary Identification of Minimum Elements to Review the Effectiveness of Searbird By-catch Mitigation Regulations in Tuna RFMOs. Collect Vol Sci Pap ICCAT 71:2933–2943

Abstract

The five tuna regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) require their longline vessels to use seabird by-catch mitigation measures in areas overlapping with albatrosses, and plan to review the effectiveness of these measures. However, methodologies for undertaking such reviews haven’t been defined. This paper summarizes views of an ACAP (Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels) intersessional group to discuss what minimum elements may be reviewed.
Four elements are recommended to monitor the seabird conservation measures adopted by ICCAT [Rec. 11-09]:
1. The extent to which the tuna RFMO seabird conservation and management measure(s) reflects ‘best practice’ for pelagic longline fisheries, and has appropriate spatial, temporal and vessel application.
2. The availability and quality of data available for review.
3. The degree of implementation by vessels (compliance).
4. Analysis and monitoring of seabird by-catch levels over time, including
a. Reported by-catch rates (birds/1000 hooks)
b. Total number of birds killed per tuna RFMO per year.
The paper recommends adoption of harmonized review methods across tuna RFMOs, and ongoing efforts to harmonize tuna RFMO by-catch data collection, reporting and storage mechanisms.