The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission will discuss mitigation of seabird bycatch in the Seychelles this month

The 12th Meeting of the Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB12) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) will be held later this month in Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.

According to its agenda, the meeting will review new information on seabird biology, ecology, fisheries interactions and bycatch mitigation measures, review the mitigation measures included within Resolution 12/06 “On Reducing the Incidental Bycatch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries” and develop management advice on the status of seabird species. 

Anton Wolfaardt, Convenor of ACAP’s Seabird Bycatch Working Group will attend WPEB12.  ACAP will inform the meeting of the latest best-practice advice for mitigating seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries that has been developed by the SBWG.

Click here for a report on the last meeting of the WPEB.

Design for a bird-scaring line

With thanks to Anton Wolfaardt.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 August 2016