Marine Animals

Pelagic Seabird Bycatch in Longline Fisheries

Albatrosses, petrels, and other seabirds are killed in enormous numbers when they dive for bait on longline fishing hooks.

Key Facts

Longline fisheries set up to 100 km of line with thousands of baited hooks daily
Albatrosses are particularly vulnerable due to their diving behavior for bait
An estimated 100,000 seabirds including 17 albatross species are killed annually
Most albatross species are now threatened primarily due to longline bycatch
Simple mitigation measures reduce bycatch by over 90% but adoption is slow

Welfare Considerations

Seabirds hooked and drowned in longline gear die by suffocation underwater. This is a painful death for animals with high intelligence and strong pair bonds. The tragedy is compounded by the availability of simple, cheap solutions — bird-scaring lines, setting gear at night, and weighted lines sinking bait below diving depth.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by programs requiring bycatch mitigation measures
Support international agreements requiring seabird-safe fishing gear
Donate to seabird conservation organizations working with fishing industries
Advocate for observer coverage on longline vessels to monitor bycatch
Learn which fisheries have adopted seabird bycatch reduction measures