Reduction of seabird catch in artisanal longliners in eastern Spain: mitigation measures

Pleamar program

Description

The project aims to determine the degree of interaction between birds and longlines and to test effective and adaptable mitigation measures to the longline fleet of the Spanish east for their implementation.

In longline fishing, hooks are a hazard to the seabirds What are they trying to Capture the bait and They get hooked. In eastern Spain, four species of seabirds endemic to the Mediterranean , such as the Balearic, Mediterranean and Cory’s shearwater, and the Audouin’s gull – all of which are protected and threatened – suffer from these bycatches.

The project, developed by the University of Barcelona, has approached the determination of the degree of interaction between birds and longlines and after testing effective and adaptable mitigation measures to the longline fleet of the Spanish east for its implementation.

See the project

Project

Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2014

Objectives

Reducing the number of catches of four species of seabirds by the longline fleet of the Spanish east

Results

The actions carried out by the project have made it possible to carry out a good evaluation of interactions with longliners:

Obtaining data on the distribution, abundance and movements of nesting specimens of Cory’s shearwater from breeding colonies on the Pigeon Islands and Terreros Islands by marking with various devices

Obtaining the information available to date on the distribution and movements of the Cory’s shearwater nesting in the southern western Mediterranean
Observer boarding
Bird censuses during shipments
Information on longline and longline characteristics
Analysis of the variables that have the greatest influence on the attraction and capture of birds
Valuation of economic losses generated by birds
Conducting surveys in major longline ports
Talks in the ports with the most operational longliners
Preparation of various informative and informative material with the aim of raising awareness in the fishing sector about the problems posed by by-catch and to give them useful tools and information to be able to avoid them as far as possible.
Preparation of an informative report
Assessment of the trophic dependence of Cory’s shearwaters on fishing activity

Reduction of seabird catch in artisanal longliners in eastern Spain: mitigation measures

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