Mitigation of seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries: Best practice measures, evidence and operational considerations

Citation
Pierre J (2023) Mitigation of seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries: Best practice measures, evidence and operational considerations. In: ACAP - 11th Meeting of the Seabird Bycatch Working Group. SBWG11 Inf 06, Edinburgh, UK
Abstract

This report was prepared for Southern Seabirds and the New Zealand Department of Conservation to support the development of a toolkit for the tuna longline supply chain. The purpose of the toolkit is to make available information that supply chain participants can use, in accordance with their own targets or objectives, to: • make informed decisions that support reductions in seabird captures; and, • demonstrate the use of effective seabird bycatch mitigation measures in a transparent manner. Further details on the toolkit are provided in SBWG11 Doc 22. The purpose of this report is to review available evidence on the performance of selected seabird bycatch mitigation measures, including five that have been identified as best practice measures for use in pelagic longline fisheries by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. This report is focused on presenting evidence and is not intended as a source of best practice mitigation advice. This report is intended to be one of a range of documents and other outreach materials provided by the toolkit and will form part of the evidence base upon which more concise and audience-targeted materials will be developed.

Also presented as WCPFC-SC19-2023/EB-IP-15.