Falklands Conservation

Longlining target set in Falklands National Plan of Action achieved

In 2004 Falklands Conservation, with support from the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and RSPB, developed a National Plan of Action for the reduction of seabird deaths (NPOA-S) in the local Patagonian Toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides longlining industry. The NPOA-S was adopted in late 2004, and amongst its list of actions it specifically set a stringent by-catch target, of 0.002 birds per thousand hooks by the austral summer of 2006/07. In more identifiable terms this means that for a fishery that sets on average eight million hooks annually, the challenge is to catch 16 birds or fewer over an entire year. Falklands Conservation is very pleased to report that this target was achieved earlier than expected, with analysed observer data from 2005/06 estimating the catch rate at exactly the prescribed target level.

These bald statistics do little justice to demonstrate the fantastic co-operation between FIG, the Falkland Island Fisheries Department (FIFD) observers, Consolidated Fisheries Limited (the company that operates longlining vessels in Falkland waters) and the captains and crew of the longlining vessels operating in the Falklands area. More importantly what this result has highlighted is that by consulting with all stakeholders in developing a NPOA-S, setting and achieving realistic and attainable goals in reducing seabird bycatch to an insignificant level are possible. A quote from the latest FIFD observer report, (676, CFL Gambler) shows just how far understanding of the issue by fishers has moved forward.

11/01/2007: During setting (station 926) approximately 300 black-browed albatrosses were present. After about 20 minutes the captain decided it was too dangerous for the birds and interrupted the setting (the interactions during this period has risen to >35 every 10 minutes), deciding instead to set the line during the following night.

Barely a decade ago, observer reports in the same waters recorded events of up to 90 seabirds per day being caught on longlines. Now the challenge has moved forward. By providing further outreach and assistance to other fisheries across the Patagonian shelf through our Birdlife partners, Falklands Conservation hopes to achieve the security of albatrosses and petrels in the South Atlantic.

Isaac Forster
Albatross and Petrel Programme Co-ordinator

• Return to Conservation Issues?
• Contact us?
• Return to Index?