Light pollution guidelines and their application in CCAMLR fisheries

CCAMLR conservation measures for seabird bycatch mitigation in longline and trawl fishing in the Convention Area seek to minimise artificial light at night. But advice is not provided about how minimisation of any light pollution is to be achieved. Light pollution guidelines for wildlife, and mitigation standards for reducing light-induced vessel strikes of seabirds with fishing vessels have been developed by Australia and New Zealand, respectively. These are highly relevant to CCAMLR fisheries as they provide practical approaches for fishing vessels to assess and address the negative impacts of light pollution on seabirds.