More protection for albatross
December 2012. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
have agreed to measures that could result in significant reductions in the
deaths of albatrosses, which accidently get snagged on longline fishing hooks
and then drown.
Two seabird bycatch mitigation measures
The meeting, held in the Philippines, announced that all longline vessels in
the South Pacific will now be required to use two seabird bycatch mitigation
measures in areas overlapping with albatrosses (South of 30S). Vessels must
choose from a choice of either bird streamers, also known as tori lines, which
scare birds away from the hooks; adding weights to hooks to make them sink more
quickly; or setting hooks at night when most birds are less active.
The move brings the WCPFC, which is the world's
largest tuna commission, in-line with the measures adopted in Atlantic in
November 2011 and the Indian Ocean in April 2012.
300,000 seabirds killed in longline fisheries
Scientists estimate that upwards of 300,000 seabirds are being killed every year by longline fisheries; it's believed this is the primary reason behind 17 of the world's 22 species of albatrosses being threatened with extinction.
Albatross populations
Home to globally important populations of 14 albatross species, including Antipodean, Chatham, Buller's, Salvin's, Shy and White-capped, the Pacific Ocean is home to large fleets of longliners fishing for tuna. Tuna longliners typically deploy several thousand hooks every day, attached by branchlines to a main line that can be more than 100km long. Seabirds, especially albatrosses, are vulnerable to becoming hooked when they take the bait, and are drowned as the line sinks.
Home to globally important populations of 14 albatross species, including Antipodean, Chatham, Buller's, Salvin's, Shy and White-capped, the Pacific Ocean is home to large fleets of longliners fishing for tuna. Tuna longliners typically deploy several thousand hooks every day, attached by branchlines to a main line that can be more than 100km long. Seabirds, especially albatrosses, are vulnerable to becoming hooked when they take the bait, and are drowned as the line sinks.
Dr Cleo Small, from the RSPB and BirdLife
International, said: "This move is great news for albatrosses worldwide,
including some UK albatross species such as the wandering albatross, which fly
right around the world in the non-breeding period and can be victims of bycatch
from the longliners that fish in the South Pacific. Without such measures,
these beautiful birds could be lost forever."
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