Rockhopper penguins and other marine life threatened by driftnet fisheries at Tristan da Cunha

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The oriental driftnet fleet, which is responsible for the large-scale mortality of non-target species in the Pacific Ocean, has extended its range to include the South Atlantic Ocean. Relatively little is known about the areas of operation and impacts of driftnetting in the South Atlantic as yet, but it is emerging that driftnetting is equally devastating to the fauna of this ocean. This paper reviews the impact of the driftnet fishery on non-target species in the central South Atlantic Ocean. Several lines of evidence suggest that fishing effort is focused on Tristan da Cunha, apparently resulting in considerable mortality of rockhopper penguins Eudyptes chrysocome and other marine organisms. Britain should take steps to curb this destructive fishing technique in Tristan waters.