Pelagic Longline Bycatch and Seabird Welfare

Pelagic longline fishing kills hundreds of thousands of seabirds annually as bycatch, causing drowning deaths in albatrosses, petrels, and other species already threatened by multiple pressures.

Key Facts

An estimated 160,000 seabirds including 100,000 albatrosses are killed by longlines annually
19 of 22 albatross species are threatened, with longline bycatch a major mortality cause
Seabirds dive to intercept baited hooks during line setting and become fatally hooked and drowned
Simple mitigation measures including tori lines, weighted lines, and night setting can reduce bycatch by 90%
The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) coordinates international mitigation
Some fishing nations and certifications now require bycatch mitigation as a precondition for operation
Longline fishing targets tuna, swordfish, and Patagonian toothfish across all major ocean basins

Welfare Considerations

Seabirds killed by longline bycatch experience drowning deaths that are not instantaneous — birds struggle, are dragged underwater, and drown over minutes while hooked. The scale of this mortality — hundreds of thousands of birds annually — combined with the effectiveness of available mitigation measures makes longline bycatch one of the most tractable large-scale wildlife welfare problems. The technical solutions are inexpensive and proven; the barrier is implementation and enforcement. Consumer choices for certified sustainable seafood and advocacy for mandatory mitigation measures can drive rapid welfare improvement for affected seabird populations.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by Marine Stewardship Council with verified bycatch mitigation requirements
Avoid purchasing swordfish or tuna from uncertified longline sources
Support BirdLife International Save the Albatross campaign and ACAP programs
Advocate for mandatory bycatch mitigation requirements in all longline fishing licenses
Raise awareness that simple inexpensive measures can reduce seabird bycatch by 90%