Wildlife

Seabird Bycatch in Fishing Gear

Hundreds of thousands of seabirds are killed annually as bycatch in fishing operations, with major welfare implications.

Key Facts

An estimated 300,000 seabirds die in fishing gear annually worldwide
Albatrosses and petrels are particularly vulnerable to longline bycatch
Entanglement causes drowning and severe distress before death
Mitigation measures can reduce seabird bycatch by over 90%
Many affected species are endangered or declining

Welfare Considerations

Seabird bycatch causes immense individual suffering through drowning, entanglement, and injury. Birds attracted to baited hooks or nets become hooked or entangled and drown. Effective mitigation measures including bird-scaring lines, night setting, and line weighting are available and have been shown to dramatically reduce both bycatch and associated suffering.

What You Can Do

Choose certified sustainable seafood that requires seabird bycatch mitigation
Support campaigns for mandatory seabird mitigation measures in fisheries
Raise awareness about seabird bycatch as a welfare issue
Support conservation organisations working on seabird bycatch solutions
Advocate for international fisheries agreements that include bycatch standards