Reducing Seabird Mortality in Fisheries
Seabird avoidance measures developed and tested by Washington Sea Grant in collaboration with industry have drastically reduced seabird mortalities in Alaska longline fisheries. These measures have been incorporated into Alaskan and other regulations; however, more research and education efforts are needed.
On an international level, WSG is promoting a coordinated effort to curb the accidental capture of seabirds. Few countries require seabird avoidance measures, and mortalities of far-ranging albatrosses and petrels in the extensive longline and trawl fleets throughout the world’s oceans continue to threaten these species. Past and current WSG-initiated projects have addressed this issue globally.
Contacts
- Edward F. Melvin, Marine Fisheries Scientist, 206.543.9968, emelvin@u.washington.edu
- Troy Guy, Marine Fisheries Research Associate, 206.616.1260, troyguy@u.washington.edu
Related Publications
- Saving Seabirds Globally (Web site)
- Pelagic Longline: Streamer Lines (Bycatch Mitigation Fact Sheet 7) (195 KB*)
- Branchline Weighting on Two Japanese Joint Venture Vessels Participating in the 2009 South African Tuna Fishery: A Preliminary Report (213 KB PDF*)
- Optimizing Tori Line Designs for Pelagic Tuna Longline Fisheries: South Africa. Report of work under special permit from the Republic of South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marine and Coastal Management, Pelagic and High Seas Fishery Management Division (895KB PDF*)
- Albatross Mortality in West Coast Hook-and-Line Fisheries for Groundfish (182KB PDF*)
- Alaska Trawl Fisheries: Potential Interactions with North Pacific Albatrosses (3.5MB PDF*)
- Fish/Fisheries Management: Off the Hook (video)
- Solutions to Seabird Bycatch in Alaska's Demersal Longline Fisheries
- Solving Seabird Bycatch in Alaskan Fisheries: a Case Study in Collaborative Research (180 KB PDF*)
- Seabird Avoidance Measures for Small Alaskan Longline Vessels (160 KB PDF*)
- Optimizing Tori Line Designs for Pelagic Tuna Longline Fisheries. Report of work under New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries Special Permit 355 (PDF, 1.8Mb)*
More Information
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