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.