Seabird Bycatch: Welfare and Conservation Intersect

Hundreds of thousands of seabirds are killed annually as bycatch in fishing operations, making fisheries bycatch one of the most pressing seabird welfare issues.

Key Facts

An estimated 200,000-400,000 seabirds are killed annually as bycatch in longline fishing operations worldwide.
Albatrosses are particularly vulnerable; 15 of 22 species are threatened, with bycatch a primary cause.
Birds drown after being hooked by baited longlines or entangled in net gear during fishing operations.
Simple mitigation measures — streamer lines, night setting, weighted lines — can reduce seabird bycatch by over 90%.
The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) coordinates international bycatch reduction efforts.
Trawl fishing bycatch of seabirds occurs during net hauling when birds dive for fish; bird-scaring devices reduce mortality.
Welfare impacts on bycatch birds include drowning, hook injuries, exhaustion, and stress before death.
Some fisheries have achieved near-zero seabird bycatch through comprehensive mitigation adoption; others maintain very high rates.

Welfare Considerations

Seabird bycatch represents individual animal suffering at scale, and the welfare case is compelling: drowning after being hooked or entangled is a prolonged and distressing death. The fact that mitigation is effective, affordable, and already proven makes continued high-bycatch fisheries difficult to justify on any grounds. Consumer choice — supporting fisheries with bycatch mitigation certification — is one of the strongest levers available. Regulatory requirements for mitigation adoption in national and international fisheries are the systemic solution. Individual welfare and conservation interests are perfectly aligned here.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood from fisheries certified to have seabird bycatch mitigation measures in place.
Look for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification with strong bycatch conditions.
Support BirdLife International's Albatross Task Force and similar bycatch reduction programmes.
Ask retailers and restaurants about seabird bycatch policies in their seafood supply chains.
Advocate for national and international requirements for seabird bycatch mitigation in all commercial fisheries.