Study gives fresh impetus to reduce seabird bycatch in Southern Hemisphere fisheries

Hotspots identified in the Tasman Sea, southern Indian Ocean and southeast Atlantic

Hotspots of seabird bycatch risk were identified in parts of the Tasman Sea, southern Indian Ocean and southeast Atlantic.

Rome - A new major collaborative assessment of seabird interactions with pelagic longline fisheries helps address longstanding information gaps and provides fisheries managers and their fleets fresh impetus to help reduce seabird bycatch in the Southern Hemisphere.

The assessment, undertaken by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) with support from the FAO Common Oceans Program’s Tuna Project, brought together fisheries and seabird data from multiple countries and partners across the Southern Hemisphere.

Analysing 10 billion hooks of fishing effort and nearly 10,000 observed seabird captures, the assessment estimates that at least 30,000 seabirds are caught annually as bycatch in the pelagic longline fisheries assessed. The study also estimates the relative impact of this bycatch by considering both the species’ vulnerability to capture and the size of their populations. Hotspots of seabird bycatch risk were identified in parts of the Tasman Sea, southern Indian Ocean and southeast Atlantic.

“This has been a major collaborative effort, showing the value of bringing together fisheries data, seabird science and management expertise to support more targeted and effective conservation action. The findings give managers a stronger evidence base to focus mitigation and monitoring efforts to reduce seabird mortality”, said Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General and Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division. “The results will further support ongoing efforts by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, governments, industry and other partners to reduce seabird bycatch.”