Responsibility for the conservation of albatrosses and petrels a shared endeavour - ACAP statement to COFI 35 encourages working together

Albatross Infographic featuring ACAP-listed albatrosses by Thai illustrator Namasri ‘Namo’ Niumim

ACAP’s Executive Secretary, Dr Christine Bogle, recently attended the 35th Session of the Committee of Fisheries (COFI 35) held from 5-9 September in Rome, Italy. Participating as an Observer, ACAP submitted an Opening Statement and a Comment to Agenda Item 11 to the Session. 

Whilst highlighting fisheries bycatch to be one of the greatest threats to seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels, ACAP also stressed in its Opening Statement to the Session that the problem was not insoluble.  Referencing its suite of best practice advice for reducing the impact of fisheries on seabirds ACAP stated, “within jurisdictions where implementation of effective mitigation measures and appropriate enforcement has occurred, reductions in seabird bycatch have been demonstrated, sometimes dramatically so and without perceived detrimental consequences arising”.

ACAP recommends the simultaneous use of weighted branch lines, bird scaring lines and night setting, or use of one of the assessed hook-shielding and underwater bait setting devices as the most effective way to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries. ACAP’s best practice advice, available in multiple languages, can be accessed in the Resources section of its website at, www.acap.aq.

In its Opening Statement ACAP also acknowledged the need for ongoing, concerted efforts by all whose activities have an impact on the fate of seabirds, including albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters, who are facing a conservation crisis. 

Supplementary to ACAP’s Opening Statement to COFI 35, ACAP provided a Comment to Agenda Item 11 ‘Development in global and regional processes related to fisheries and aquaculture’, that provided more detail on recent updates of ACAP’s best practice advice for mitigating the threats to seabirds from fisheries operations.

The full text of ACAP’s Opening Statement to COFI 35 is available here.

The full text of ACAP’s Comment to Agenda Item 11 is available here.

Posted 19 September 2022