Welfare Impacts of Seabird Bycatch in Longline Fisheries

Millions of seabirds including albatrosses and petrels are killed annually as bycatch in longline fisheries, with many species now facing extinction pressure as a result.

Key Facts

An estimated 300,000 seabirds die as longline bycatch annually worldwide
19 of 22 albatross species are threatened, largely due to longline fisheries
Birds dive for baited hooks during line setting and drown when dragged under
Simple mitigation measures reduce seabird bycatch by over 90%
Tori lines, weighted lines, and night setting are the most effective and inexpensive solutions

Welfare Considerations

Drowning is a prolonged and distressing death. Seabirds caught on longline hooks experience panic, exhaustion, and asphyxiation — sometimes surviving the initial hook-set only to die slowly as the line sinks. The tragedy is that effective, low-cost solutions exist and have been proven at scale. The barrier is adoption, not technology. Consumer and regulatory pressure on fishing fleets to implement seabird-safe gear is the most direct path to reducing this mass welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified under standards that require seabird bycatch mitigation
Support organizations campaigning for seabird-safe longline regulations globally
Advocate for mandatory bycatch mitigation requirements in fisheries management
Raise awareness of seabird bycatch with fisheries authorities and retailers