Albatross on Agenda in Rome

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Apr 13, 2007

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries met in Rome at the beginning of March 2007. During this meeting, the committee discussed the plight of seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels, that are killed in large numbers when they become entangled in nets, swallow baited longline fishing hooks and drown, and collide with fishing equipment. Longline and trawl fisheries are particularly noted for seabird bycatch.

The committee supported the development of best-practice guidelines for fisheries everywhere that will reduce the number of seabird deaths due to fishing. The plan is to have a consultation process between member states leading to National Plans of Action—a combination of mandatory and voluntary changes in the fisheries should lead to fewer seabird deaths.

Fishing practices that are likely to be implemented include avoiding discarding fish waste overboard while fishing, making sure baited lines quickly sink out of reach of seabirds, attaching bird-scaring streamers to the sterns of boats, and fishing at night. It’s a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether the process will move fast enough and be effective.

Endangered Albatross explains how albatrosses are killed by longline fishing.

See also:

Saving the Albatross

Hurricanes and Bermuda Petrels

Source:

BirdLife South Africa. "Seabirds Make the Agenda at U.N. Fisheries Meeting."