Bird-scaring lines in use on a fishing vessel; photograph by Ed Melvin. ACAP's Best Practice Advice encourages the implementation of bird-scaring lines in conjuction with extra mitigation measures such as weighted lines and night-setting to reduce seabird bycatch

Stefan Meyer and Rachel Hickcox (Proteus) have produced a final report for the New Zealand Department of Conservation’s Conservation Services Programme (CSP) on bait loss caused by seabirds in New Zealand’s commercial longline fisheries.

The report’s summary follows:

“This project comprised a review of existing literature for methods to estimate bait loss caused by seabirds in New Zealand’s commercial surface longline (SLL) fisheries and to model economic impact of bait loss, in addition to an assesment of whether data exists that could be used to estimate bait loss and economic impacts for the fisheries.

The methods ranged from observations of successful bait taking attempts, observations of secondary attacks on bait stealing seabirds (a conservative measure of successful bait taking attempts, since primary attacks are not always successful), or immediate retrieval of lines after setting to reduce other factors contributing to bait loss other than seabirds (e.g., predatory fish, disintegration, physical stresses from wave action, longline deployment and retrieval). However, depending on how bait loss is determined or defined, estimates can range by orders of magnitude. Moreover, visual determination of seabird depredation of bait leads to results with limited applicability to actual fishery operation (e.g., daylight observations are required, but most SLL fishing in New Zealand occurs during night).

As per legal requirements, SLL fishing vessels use some combination of seabird bycatch mitigation (e.g., using a combination of tori lines for the duration of all setting events, weighting lines, setting lines at night, or alternatively hookpod devices can be used as the sole bycatch mitigation method). Implementing a case-control study is recommended, to assess how different bycatch mitigation strategies affect bait loss. To ensure that bait loss due to seabird depredation is assessed, fishing practices need to be held constant between vessels with different bycatch mitigation measures. Alternatively, vessels with different fishing practices could alternate bycatch mitigation measures (e.g., switching bycatch mitigation measures half-way through the season) such that all assessed vessels were operating under different bycatch mitigation strategies.

To model economic consequences, collecting data on direct revenue for catch and costs of bycatch mitigation measures and other operational costs is recommended, because the scope of such work would be to incentivize fishers for the use of specific bycatch mitigation measures. Within New Zealand, commercial fishers can only sell fish to licensed fish receivers, and data on fish sold and prices for fish at the time of selling might be available through seafood industry owned databases. Alternatively, revenue and costs could be directly collected as part of a study dedicated to assessing bait loss.”

Reference:

Meyer, S., Hickcox, R. 2023. Bait retention as a driver to mitigation use in the surface longline fishery.MIT2022-04 final report prepared by Proteus for Conservation Services Programme, Department of Conservation. 50 pp.

12 June 2023

UPDATE: Despite being described as eating well in captivity (on fish and prawns), the Grey-headed Albatross died in captivity on 07 June.  An autopsy to discover the cause of death is planned (click here).

The juvenile Grey-headed Albatross in captivity, photograph by Scott Brooks, The Petrel Station

A juvenile Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma recovered from a beach close to Tutukaka, Northland, New Zealand on 29 May has been taken into care at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre. The globally Endangered and Nationally Vulnerable bird was entangled around its bill and a wing by nylon line attached to a fishing balloon so it was unable to fly. Balloons are used to keep live bait close to the sea surface and to float the bait out from the shore by recreational fishers in New Zealand targeting Kingfish or Yellowtail Seriola lalandi.

A close-up showing the dark juvenile bill, photograph by Scott Brooks, The Petrel Station

The Petrel Station reports on its Facebook page that the albatross is feeding well in captivity, so its early release is expected. Grey-headed Albatrosses are stated to be infrequent visitors this far north in New Zealand. The species breeds farther south on New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic Campbell Island.

A New Zealand fisher demonstrates how he avoids his fishing balloon becoming free when the fish takes the bait and polluting the ocean

World Albatross Day on 19 June this year has the theme of “Plastic Pollution”. Responsible recreational fishers can support the conservation of albatrosses by ensuring their ‘floater’ balloons do not escape to become marine litter and entangle marine wildlife.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 02 June 2023, updated 09 June 2023

A Grey-headed Albatross on its nest on Macquarie; the island supports seven species of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, photograph by Melanie Wells

Australia's Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek has “signed off” on plans to almost triple the size of the marine park around sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Established in 1999, the original park protected 162 000 km² of sea off the island's south-east coast. The Federal Government is now set to add an extra 385 000 km² to the marine park, fully surrounding the island, to reach an overall size of 475,465 km². Two months of public consultations resulted in more than 14 700 submissions, of which 99 % were in support of the marine park extension.

The expanded Macquarie Island Marine Park, situated in the Southern Ocean south of Tasmania, illustration from the Australian Department of Environment and Water

Ninety-three per cent of the expanded park, “an area larger than Germany”, will be completely closed to fishing, mining and other extractive activities. Restricted fishing, but not by bottom trawl, will continue to be allowed by the two current fishing companies, stated to be operating sustainably. The expanded park will “showcase how conservation and sustainable fishing can really work well together … to protect and manage our oceans for the future".

The development of a new management plan for the Macquarie Island Marine Park is now underway, according to the Minister’s media statement.

Australia’s Governor-General now needs to give the final sign-off, expected around month end.

Read an earlier post to ACAP Latest News on plans for the expanded marine park here.

09 June 2023

First proposed in 1992 as World Ocean Day, it was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008 as World Oceans Day hosted by the UN’s Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs. Its theme for 8 June 2023 is “Planet Ocean: tides are changing”.

“The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Not to mention, the ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030. Even though all its benefits, the ocean is now in need of support. With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life. The UN is joining forces with decision-makers, indigenous leaders, scientists, private sector executives, civil society, celebrities, and youth activist[s] to put the ocean first.”

World Ocean Day (without the ‘s’) is centered around activities by and for youth. In 2022 over 10 000 organizations and businesses organized over 50 000 events in 140 countries. Its website states that “World Ocean Day rallies the world for ocean and climate action on 8 June and throughout the year. We work in partnership with youth leaders, zoos, aquariums, museums, and other youth-focused organizations, as well as a huge range of diverse organizations and businesses from all sectors in a growing global network. Together, we effectively engage the public, inform policymakers, and unite the world to protect and restore our shared ocean and create a stable climate. Join the growing global movement in June and continue to grow the engagement and action year-round!”

In South Africa, a Party to the Albatross and Petrel Agreement, an Open Day for school children is being held today on World Oceans Day (and tomorrow) on its Antarctic research and supply vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II in Cape Town’s harbour, with 1000 learners expected. The South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy will be leading the World Oceans Day 2023 commemoration aboard the ship (click here).

Over the weekend the ship will be open to some 4000 members of the general public. Among the exhibits being held is one from the Mouse-Free Marion Project, that aims to rid Marion Island of its introduced House Mice that have taken to killing seabirds, including ACAP-listed albatrosses. ACAP’s Emeritus Information Officer will be on site helping to man the display and interacting with the youth that attend.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 08 June 2023