Abstract
SUMMARY: A country-by-country review of seabird mortality from longline fishing in the Mediterranean Sea and in Macaronesian waters shows a paucity of data. Of 12 Mediterranean countries known to undertake longlining, seabird mortality is only reported for six: France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain and Tunisia. Seabird mortality from longlining has been reported from the Azores (Portugal) but not from the other Macaronesian Islands. Only for one country, Spain, is information on the levels of mortality available, suggesting that 4-6% of the local breeding population of Cory’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea may be killed annually, a level considered unsustainable for the long-term persistence of colonies. Cory’s shearwater is the most commonly affected species, although a number of Larus gull species are also being caught. There is insufficient knowledge to conclude whether any seabird species is at conservation risk within the region, but concern is expressed for Cory’s shearwater. It is recommended that Mediterranean and Macaronesian countries conduct assessments of their longline fisheries and seabird mortality in terms of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s International Plan of Action ‐ Seabirds. Regional fishery organisations, such as ICCAT and GFCM, should commence the collection of seabird mortality data. A “longline action plan” for the affected seabird species should be produced.
Highlights
In the last two decades it has been realised that longline fishing is not as “environmentally-friendly”a fishing method as it was first thought to be.Increasing evidence from many parts of the world’s oceans and seas has shown that the incidental mortality of sharks, turtles and seabirds killed on longline hooks is a serious conservation concern (Spotila et al, 1996; Brothers et al, 1999; FAO, 1999a).The problem is best known for seabirds, especially for the albatrosses and petrels of the Southern Ocean (Brothers, 1991; Alexander et al, 1997; Croxall andGales, 1998)
SUMMARY: A country-by-country review of seabird mortality from longline fishing in the Mediterranean Sea and in Macaronesian waters shows a paucity of data
Seabird mortality from longlining has been reported from the Azores (Portugal) but not from the other Macaronesian Islands
Summary
In the last two decades it has been realised that longline fishing is not as “environmentally-friendly”a fishing method as it was first thought to be.Increasing evidence from many parts of the world’s oceans and seas has shown that the incidental mortality of sharks, turtles and seabirds killed on longline hooks is a serious conservation concern (Spotila et al, 1996; Brothers et al, 1999; FAO, 1999a).The problem is best known for seabirds, especially for the albatrosses and petrels of the Southern Ocean (Brothers, 1991; Alexander et al, 1997; Croxall andGales, 1998). In the last two decades it has been realised that longline fishing is not as “environmentally-friendly”. A fishing method as it was first thought to be. The problem is best known for seabirds, especially for the albatrosses and petrels of the Southern Ocean Mortality is greatest at higher latitudes, reflecting both the broad concentrations of longline fisheries and the distribution and abundance of albatrosses and petrels (procellariiforms), the species group most at risk (Brothers et al, 1999). Longlining takes place in warmer seas, such as the Mediterranean, where some species of petrels occur, information on seabird mortality is generally less well known for these regions
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