Seabird bycatch (gill nets and entangling nets)

Gloablly, it is estimated that at least 400,000 seabird die in gillnets each year. Gillnet fisheries are widespread and particularly prevalent in coastal areas and the status of seabird populations is deteriorating faster compared to other bird groups, and bycatch in fisheries has been identified as a major threat for some vulnerable populations.. The highest bycatch has been reported in the Northwest Pacific, Iceland and the Baltic Sea.

Seabird bycatch (longlines)

Globally, it is estimated that at least 160,000 seabirds are removed by longline fishing operations annually. Bycatch of pelagic seabird species in longline fisheries is recognized as one of the most important and pervasive sources of mortality, contributing to an increased risk of their extinction. Of 61 species of seabirds affected by longline fisheries, 26 are threatened with extinction, including 18 of the 22 species of albatrosses, and there is compelling evidence that longline mortality is a significant component in the declines of many of these species.

Fishtek Marine Solutions

Gillnet

Trawls

Longline

Purse seine

Pots & Traps

Offshore drilling

Evidence Base

Paper

Product Used

Effect

Species

Gear Type

Rouxel et al., 2021.

Looming Eye Buoy

45-53% deterrent within 50m of LEB

Long- tailed Duck

Gillnet

Goad et al., 2019.

Hookpod-mini

69% better at reducing seabird bycatch than line weighting 

Multiple seabird species 

Surface longline

Sullivan et al., 2017.

Hookpod

95% reduction

Multiple petrel and albatross species 

Longline

Rollinson et al., 2016.

Lumo Leads

67% reduction

Multiple albatross species 

Longline

Sullivan at al., 2012.

Lumo Leads

94% reduction in flybacks compared to conventional line

Surface longline