The mission and functions of the National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero, INIDEP) are to formulate, implement and monitor research projects in the exploration, evaluation and development of fisheries, aquaculture technology, gear, technological processes and fishing economy, among others, according to the guidelines and priorities set by the enforcement authority. The monitoring of the levels of incidental mortality of albatrosses and petrels associated with commercial longliners – and more recently trawlers – is conducted as part of a programme jointly commissioned in the year 2000 to INIDEP, particularly the National Observers Program and the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET). Since then, the INIDEP was – through the Observers Program - deeply involved during all stages of different projects addressing conservation issues allied to albatross and petrel interaction with fisheries