Albatross and petrel mortality from longline fishing international workshop, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 11-12 May 2000. Report and presented papers

Abstract

The Workshop on Albatross and Petrel Mortality from Longline Fishing, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA May 2000, and attended by approximately 75 biologists, resource managers and conservationists from many countries, reviewed the effects of longlining on albatrosses and petrels on a global scale. The workshop recognised that effective progress required a range of complementary and interlinked actions to: A. Develop and use appropriate multilateral, inter-governmental instruments, mechanisms and fora; B. Develop and improve practical means to reduce seabird bycatch and promote their wide and effective use; and C. Enhance science-based monitoring of seabird bycatch and population trends, complemented by relevant research into population structure, dynamics and foraging ecology. To these ends, the workshop recommended that: International agreements and initiatives 1. States proceed as a matter of urgency to conduct assessments of seabird bycatch in their longline fisheries and develop National Plans of Action in accordance with the International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA - Seabirds) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; 2. Range states for the three North Pacific albatross species collaborate by way of relevant existing and new international and regional instruments, to reduce mortality of these birds in their longline fisheries; 3. Range states support the development of and become parties to a Southern Hemisphere Albatross and Petrel Agreement, in accordance with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; 4. States, entities and international bodies and fora develop and implement appropriate diplomatic and legal means to regulate illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing so that seabird bycatch is minimised; Practical action 5. It was important to stimulate technological development of new and improved mitigation measures to reduce and, if possible, eliminate seabird bycatch; 6. It was essential to encourage effective use of these measures, particularly amongst developing states and high seas fleets; 7. It was important to promote awareness of problems and their solutions in all states operating or licensing longline fishing; Research and monitoring 8. Priorities for sustaining existing research and monitoring work, and developing new studies were: i. Monitoring of status and trends of albatross populations, complemented by demographic research; ii. Undertaking genetic studies to understand structure and stock identity within albatross species and populations; iii. Collecting comprehensive data on bycatch rates and fishing effort; and iv. Defining foraging ranges by age, sex, and season, using new technologies, devices and analytical approaches. In addition to the above suggested actions, in order to facilitate co-operation and information exchange throughout the international seabird research and conservation communities, it was concluded that the issue of seabird mortality in longline fisheries be addressed by means of further national and international workshops and conferences. BirdLife International was invited, in the context of its 'Save the Albatross Campaign', to sponsor a workshop in 2001 among Latin-American states to address the issue of seabird bycatch in longline fisheries in that region.