Seabird Bycatch in Longline Fisheries

Longline fishing causes the deaths of hundreds of thousands of seabirds annually, including albatrosses and petrels, posing a major welfare and conservation challenge.

Key Facts

An estimated 160,000 seabirds are killed annually in longline fisheries worldwide
Albatrosses are among the most affected species, with 15 of 22 species now threatened with extinction
Birds dive for baited hooks and become hooked or entangled, drowning underwater
Simple mitigation measures including weighted lines, bird-scaring streamers, and night setting reduce bycatch by 70-90%
Some fisheries have achieved near-zero seabird bycatch through rigorous mitigation
The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels coordinates international responses

Welfare Considerations

Drowning in fishing gear causes acute suffering for seabirds, and the scale of longline bycatch represents both a major welfare crisis and a serious conservation threat. Proven technical solutions exist but require regulatory mandates and compliance monitoring to achieve widespread adoption. Consumer choice and certification schemes can drive demand for responsibly caught seafood.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by MSC or equivalent schemes with verified seabird bycatch mitigation
Support organisations like BirdLife International working on seabird bycatch
Advocate for mandatory bycatch mitigation measures in national and international fisheries law
Ask seafood retailers and restaurants about their seabird bycatch policies
Support ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels