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    Potential interactions between wandering albatrosses and Dissostichus eleginoides fisheries at South Georgia

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    Document Number:
    WG-FSA-95/43
    Author(s):
    Prince, P.A., Croxall, J.P.
    Agenda Item(s)
    Abstract

    Breeding wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans at South Georgia have a relatively low level of potential risk of interaction with Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides longline fisheries at South Georgia between late November through February and between late May and October. From March through mid-May birds of both sexes spend most of their time at sea over the South Georgia continental shelf in very similar areas to where the longline fishery operates and are therefore at serious risk from these fisheries at this time. We recommend that the South Georgia longline fishery for Dissostichus should be managed so as to avoid fishing between March and mid-May.