CCAMLR

The former fishing ground off Joinville – D’Urville Island was revisited in the course of the Antarctic Expedition ANT XIX/3 with RV ‘Polarstern’ in February 2002. Five hauls were conducted north of Joinville Island – D’Urville Island at 149 m to 282 m depth on 21 February 2002. Published and unpublished reports by the Fischkombinat in Rostock (ex- German Democratic Republic), Sea Fisheries Institute in Gdynia (Poland) and material available in YugNIRO, Kerch (Ukraine) from ex-Soviet fishing operations in the 1970’s and 1980’s were analysed in order to provide a comprehensive review of fishing activities in that area hitherto unavailable to CCAMLR.

While work to develop solutions to reduce the bycatch of seabirds and sea turtles by longline gear has begun, fishermen, managers and scientists recognize that these efforts must be enhanced and collaboration must be pursued internationally as these species are highly migratory, inhabiting the waters of many nations during their life cycle. To further this cause, the Western Pacific Fishery Regional Fishery Management Council hosted the Second International Fisheries Forum (IFF2), November 19-22, 2002, in Honolulu, Hawaii. IFF2 built on the First International Fishers Forum (IFF1) held in Auckland, New Zealand in November 2000. IFF2 widened the focus of IFF1 to address the bycatch of sea turtles as well as seabirds by longline fishing gear. More than 200 representatives from fishing industries, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties from 28 countries in the Atlantic, East and Central Pacific, North Pacific and South Pacific participated in IFF2. The 4-day meeting opened with overview sessions on seabird and sea turtle biology, distribution, and population status assessment; longline fisheries and data collection; mitigation measures, research, and data collection; modeling; and international agreements/national approaches. Interactive breakout sessions on these various topics as well as sessions on fishermen incentives and education/communication occurred during days 2 and 3, followed by a final day of concluding exercises and the production of an IFF2 Resolution.

In the fall of 2002, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) purchased 300 copies of Beached Birds for use by North Pacific Groundfish Observers deployed on commercial fishing vessels in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. This new guide replaces a dichotomous key on looseleaf paper with black and white drawings. The purpose of using this new educational tool is to enhance the ability of fishery observers to accurately identify seabirds as they come up in the sampled fishing gear, typically wet and bedraggled birds---appearances much different than living specimens. A description of Beached Birds is provided as well as how this guide has been incorporated into observer training and data collection at the NMFS North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. A copy of Beached Birds is available in the CCAMLR Library.

The streamer line has become the primary seabird mitigation device prescribed and used in most longline fisheries throughout the world, based to a large degree on the precedent set by CCAMLR in 1991. This discussion paper responds to the interest of the IMAF working group to consider possible revisions to the CCAMLR streamer line requirement. Existing literature on the effectiveness of single and paired (or multiple) streamer lines is reviewed and CCAMLR streamer line performance and material standards are discussed and contrasted with recent Alaskan requirements.

This is a follow-up paper to WG-EMM-03/05. Suggestions on the applicability of the use of shags for monitoring fish populations are presented, providing potential answers to the questions posed by WG-EMM in its 2003 meeting.

Worldwide, the incidental capture or bycatch of marine organisms, especially mammals, turtles and seabirds, can pose serious threats to specific animal populations causing public outcry and regulatory attention. When such issues arise, especially in US fisheries, they can threaten fisheries and necessitate immediate solutions. Unfortunately, no standard mechanisms exist within stewardship and regulatory authorities to go beyond problem identification to crafting solutions. We have worked to devise solutions to seabird mortality in two fisheries: the Puget Sound drift gillnet fishery for sockeye salmon and the longline fisheries in Alaska for sablefish and Pacific cod. Although these fisheries are very different, the cooperative research model we have developed is the same and is proving successful in both. At the most basic level, this model includes communication and cooperation with all stakeholders, strict scientific protocols and development of effective and practical regulations. Although this model was developed with specific reference to seabird bycatch reductions, it is readily applicable to a wide range of conservation issues. There are three key elements: 1) Working with industry leaders through relevant industry associations to identify possible new technologies and/or operational practices that are practical and likely to solve the problem; 2) Testing the proposed solutions in a collaborative study on active fishing vessels using strict scientific protocols, and developing incentives for individual participants to: a) host scientists, who collect the necessary data, and b) adhere to a specific scientific protocol within their standard operation is key; 3) Crafting new regulations based on the results of the research program in cooperation with the industry, resource management agencies and conservation organizations. Our model results in proof at two levels. At the practical level, fisher’s ideas are tested in the context of an active fishery. At the scientific level, peer review and publication certify results for the regulatory, academic, and conservation communities.

The video portrays a variety of seabird species in flight and interacting with longline gear. Also demonstrates how to rig and deploy streamer lines – a seabird bycatch deterrent required on most Alaska longlines beginning in 2004.

This two-page flyer targets commercial longline fishermen in Alaska. Aspects of the streamer line developed in the course of research in Alaskan demersal longline fisheries are described including materials and performance standards.