Proposal to allow daytime setting of longlines between 15 and 30 April in the Patagonian toothfish longline fishery in CCAMLR Statistical Division 58.5.2

This paper summarises historic effort and seabird bycatch during the pre-season extension period (15–30 April) in the Patagonian toothfish longline fishery in CCAMLR statistical division 58.5.2.  It notes that significant fishing effort has occurred in the pre-season extension period, by both of the longline vessels that operate in this fishery and in several seasons, and that no birds have been caught during this period.  It proposes that the current restriction of night-setting only be removed and that daylight setting of longlines be allowed during the pre-season extension period, subject to the continuation of the current total catch limit of three birds per vessel applicable to the season extension periods.