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Review and assessment of mitigation measures to reduce incidental catch of seabirds in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries










Løkkeborg, S.Review and assessment of mitigation measures to reduce incidental catch of seabirds in longline,trawl and gillnet fisheries.FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular. No. 1040. Rome, FAO. 2008. 24p.


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    The incidental catch of seabirds by longline fisheries: worldwide review and technical guidelines for mitigation. 1999
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    The content of this report was originally prepared as three separate background papers describing longline fisheries of the world, the nature and extent of incidental catch of seabirds in those fisheries and a description of technical and operational measures that can mitigate such incidental catch. An FAO appointed Technical Working Group (TWG) of experts in the field of fishing technology, seabird biology and fisheries management reviewed the content and decided to compile it into on e document. The report, first in general terms, describes the interaction of seabirds with longline fisheries with reference to typical behaviour patterns of seabirds and why and how the incidental longline catch of seabirds has become an international issue. The various longline fisheries (demersal and pelagic) of the world are described with regard to technology and effort. The pelagic fisheries, which mainly target tunas, swordfish and billfishes are operated widely from temperate to tropical waters in all oceans. The most important demersal fisheries are found in the North Atlantic and the North Pacific but a longline fisheries for Patagonian tootfish has been developed in the Southern Ocean over the last few years. Certain longline fisheries result in large numbers of seabirds being hooked on setting lines. The major "problem" fisheries are the demersal fisheries of the Northeast Pacific, North Atlantic, Southern Ocean and the Atlantic coast of South Americ a, and the tuna pelagic fisheries of cool temperate seas in the North Pacific and the Southern Ocean. However, data on the incidental catch of seabirds are lacking for a number of longline fisheries, including the Pacific coast of South America, the Mediterranean Sea and in tropical waters of all oceans. Species of seabirds most commonly taken are the albatrosses and large petrels of the family Procellariidae.
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    The incidental catch of seabirds in gillnet fisheries: A global review 2013
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    Based on bird feeding ecology we identified 148 seabird species as susceptible to bycatch in gillnets, of which 81 have been recorded caught. The highest densities of susceptible species occur in temperate and sub-polar regions of both hemispheres, with lower densities in tropical regions. Gillnet fisheries are widespread and particularly prevalent in coastal areas. A review of reported bycatch estimates sug- gests that at least 400,000 birds die in gillnets each year. The highest bycatch has be en reported in the Northwest Pacific, Iceland and the Baltic Sea. Species suffering potentially significant impacts of gillnet mortality include common guillemot (Uria aalge), thick-billed guillemot (Uria lomvia), red-throated loon (Gavia stellata), Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes), little penguin (Eudyptula minor), greater scaup (Aythya marila) and long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis). Although repo rts of seabird bycatch in gillnets are relatively numerous, the magnitude of this phenomenon is poorly known for all regions. Further, population modelling to assess effects of gillnet bycatch mortality on seabird populations has rarely been feasible and there is a need for further data to advance development of bycatch mitigation measures.
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    IPOA - International Plan of Action for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries. International Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks. International Plan of Action for the management of fishing capacity. 1999
    The IPOA-SEABIRDS is a voluntary instrument that applies to all States whose fishermen engage in longline fisheries. The text sets out a set of activities which implementing States are expected to carry out, including an assessment of whether a problem exists with respect to the incidental catch of seabirds in its longline fishery, adopting a National Plan of Action for reducing the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries (NPOA-SEABIRDS) as well as procedures for national reviews and reporting requirements. The calendar years by when these actions preferably should have been taken, are indicated . The IPOA-SEABIRDS also provides a summary description of appropriate mitigation measures which States that determine that they have a problem with the incidental catch of seabirds in their longline fisheries, should consider for inclusion in the NPOA-SEABIRDS. The mitigation measures described are either already used or in an early stage of development. References to appropriate literature are provided. The IPOA-SHARKS is a voluntary instrument that applies to all States whose fishermen engage in shark fisheries. The text sets out a set of activities which implementing States are expected to carry out, including an assessment of whether a problem exists with respect to sharks, adopting a National Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks (NPOA-SHARKS), as well as procedures for national reviews and reporting requirements. The calendar years by whe n these actions preferably should have been taken, are indicated. The IPOA-CAPACITY is a voluntary instrument that applies to all States whose fishermen engage in capture fisheries. The first part of the text describes the nature and scope of the International Plan of Action, the underlining principles and defines the objective of the IPOA. The remainder of the text describes urgent actions and identifies mechanisms to promote implementation. The urgent actions include assessment and monitori ng of fishing capacity and the preparation and implementation of national plans. The text on mechanisms to promote implementation describes scientific and technical co-operation, national and international reporting, and, the role of FAO. The calendar years by when recommended actions should be completed, have been identified.

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