MITIGATION OF SEABIRD CAPTURES DURING HAULING IN CCAMLR LONGLINE FISHERIES

In recent years there has been an increased focus on reducing ‘residual’ seabird captures that occur during hauling in CCAMLR longline fisheries. Haul captures were first recognised by CCAMLR as a problem as early as 1994/95 when steps were taken to reduce the attraction of birds to vessels during the hauling process.  Since 2003 increased efforts have been made to improve the design and performance of bird exclusion devices (BED) placed around the hauling bay. Observer data collected since 2003 suggests that there are two key aspects of effective BED, firstly that they provide a deterrent to birds landing near to the line as it is being hauled and secondly that birds are deterred from swimming or “jumping” into the area around the hauling bay. Data collected since 2003 are used to classify BEDs into three types and recommendations are made on a Type III BED that was developed in Division 58.5.2 and incorporates the two key functional characteristics required to reduce seabird captures during the haul.