Conservation Status of Albatrosses and Petrels and Advice on Reducing their Bycatch in WCPFC Fisheries (23July) - Rev.01

The incidental mortality (bycatch) of seabirds in longline and trawl fisheries continues to be a serious global concern, especially for threatened albatrosses and petrels,resulting in a Conservation Crisis being declared by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)in 2019. The need for international cooperation in addressing this concern was a major reason for establishing ACAP.There are currently 31 species listed in Annex 1 of the Agreement. Of the 22 species of albatrosses, 17breed and/orforage in the WCPFCConvention Area, as do sixof the nine listed petrel species. This paper provides a summary of the population status and current trends of these 23speciesas well as information on high priority populations that occur in the WCPFC Area. We also provide an update on ACAP best practicebycatch mitigationadvicefor pelagiclongline fisheriesand other resources relevant to seabird bycatchincluding new guidance on observer programme and electronic monitoring data collection.