Wild Seabird Welfare: Longline Bycatch Solutions That Work

Seabird bycatch on longline fisheries causes the deaths of hundreds of thousands of birds annually. Proven mitigation measures dramatically reduce this preventable suffering.

Key Facts

Longline fisheries kill an estimated 300,000 seabirds annually globally
Albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters are the primary affected species
Tori lines — streamers that scare birds from the baited hooks — reduce bycatch by over 90%
Setting lines at night reduces the diurnal albatross's ability to see and pursue hooks
International agreements including ACAP coordinate seabird bycatch reduction globally

Welfare Considerations

Seabird longline bycatch causes drowning when birds dive for baited hooks and become entangled. Death by drowning is an acute welfare harm. The extraordinary thing about this particular welfare problem is that the solutions are known, cheap, and highly effective — tori lines, weighted lines to sink bait faster, and night setting reduce bycatch by up to 90% with minimal cost or fishing impact. The barrier is adoption, not technology. Fisheries certification that requires bycatch mitigation measures directly incentivizes adoption. Supporting certified fisheries and regulatory requirements for mitigation are the most direct consumer and advocacy actions.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by programs requiring seabird bycatch mitigation
Support fisheries observer programs that monitor seabird bycatch rates
Advocate for mandatory bycatch mitigation in all longline fishing regulations
Donate to seabird conservation organizations working on bycatch reduction programs