Finding the missing pieces: working to solve the fisheries bycatch puzzle

Lewison, Rebecca L.

doi:10.1111/acv.12040

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Such characteristics make this group vulnerable to threats on their breeding grounds, as well as many threats in their non-breeding ranges. Subsequently, understanding and reducing the negative impact of fisheries is a high priority for conservation of marine ecosystems (Weimerskirch et al 1997, Tuck et al 2011, Lewison 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contribution to reducing bycatch in a high priority area for seabird conservation in Portugal

Oliveira¹,

Almeida²,

Alonso³

et al. 2020

Bird Conservation International

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Summary Bycatch is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity, affecting ocean ecosystems at a worldwide scale. The main focus of bycatch studies has been on the impact of larger vessels, with few studies assessing the impact of artisanal fisheries. Moreover, bycatch studies are often limited to a small number of marine regions, and significant gaps still exist in our knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of seabird bycatch. Here we present a multi-approach method to accurately quantify seabird bycatch driven by small- and medium-sized fishing fleets operating in a high priority area for seabird conservation on the Portuguese mainland. Results of three mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch on fishing gear where seabird bycatch is most likely to occur were also tested: high contrast panels in bottom gillnets, black hooks in demersal longlines and a bird scaring device in purse seines. The efficacy, acceptance, and economic viability were tested for each mitigation measure. Sixty-seven individuals of seven seabird species were bycaught during 295 monitored fishing trips between 2015 and 2018. Bycatch occurred mainly in demersal longlines (0.07 birds fishing event-1), followed by purse seines (0.02 birds fishing event-1) and bottom gillnets (0.01 birds fishing event-1). Nevertheless, the bird scaring device caused birds to interact less with the vessel (the presence of gulls was reduced by 11%), thus decreasing the likelihood of bycatch. This device has proved to be low-cost (representing less than 5% income of a single day’s landings) and easy to implement, being also well accepted by purse seine fishermen. It was not possible to evaluate the efficacy of high contrast panels and black hooks, as no bycatch events were recorded during trials.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contribution to reducing bycatch in a high priority area for seabird conservation in Portugal

Oliveira¹,

Almeida²,

Alonso³

et al. 2020

Bird Conservation International

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show abstract

“…Second, all three commentaries in response to our paper also highlight the importance of data quality, and particularly the importance of species-specific data collection (Lewison, 2013;Phillips, 2013;Sha, 2013). Through observer training, seabird species identification was improved.…”

Section: Strengthening Observer Programsmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…There are two major challenges for observer programs. First, observer coverage rate is an issue (Lewison, 2013;Phillips, 2013). Many researchers have pointed out that 5% coverage is inadequate to truly estimate mortality rates.…”

Section: Strengthening Observer Programsmentioning

confidence: 99%