Summary of Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing activities data collected during the 2023 season, and a draft method for the extrapolation of IMAF and warp strikes.

This paper summarises data collected by Scheme of International Scientific Observation observers and vessels reporting incidental interactions between fishing vessels, seabirds and marine mammals during fishing activities undertaken during the 2023 season, and presents a draft method for the extrapolation of IMAF and warp strikes based on a spatial and temporal aggregation of records rather than per observed cruise. The per-cruise extrapolated total of 132 seabirds caught as of 2 October 2023 is higher than in 2022 (15) but lower than in 2021 (142). Twelve elephant seals and one unidentified seal were also recorded as marine mammal incidental mortalities in longline fisheries.