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Characterizing seabird bycatch in the eastern Australian tuna and billfish pelagic longline fishery in relation to temporal, spatial and biological influences

Citation

Trebilco, R and Gales, R and Lawrence, E and Alderman, R and Robertson, G and Baker, GB, Characterizing seabird bycatch in the eastern Australian tuna and billfish pelagic longline fishery in relation to temporal, spatial and biological influences, Aquatic Conservation, 20, (5) pp. 531-542. ISSN 1099-0755 (2010) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

© 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

DOI: doi:10.1002/aqc.1115

Abstract

  • 1.
    Seabirds killed incidentally in Australia's eastern tuna and billfish (ETBF) longline fishery between September 2001 and June 2006 were examined to evaluate species composition and to relate, where possible, capture events to operational and environmental factors.
  • 2.
    During this period 2.129 million hooks on 2202 shots were observed, and 369 birds were reported killed. The majority (78%) of these were flesh-footed shearwaters (Puffinus carniepes), 53% of which were male and 44% female. Smaller numbers of medium to large sized albatrosses (Diomedeidae, predominantly female) and other shearwaters (Puffinus spp.) and petrels (Pterodroma spp.) dominated the remainder of the bycatch.
  • 3.
    Of the 369 birds reported taken as bycatch, 280 were available for necropsy, and species identifications performed in situ by observers were assessed. While observer identifications were generally correct for common species, performance was poor for less common ones.
  • 4.
    The geographical location (latitude) of shots, season, time of day at which shots were set, and bait type and life status (dead or alive) influenced the seabird bycatch rate. The majority of captures (87% overall) occurred between 30 and 35°S, with bycatch being lowest in winter, and remaining at similar levels across the other seasons.
  • 5.
    The use of live fish bait was generally associated with increased captures of both seabirds overall, and flesh-footed shearwaters in particular.

    • Item Details

    Item Type:Refereed Article
    Keywords:eastern tuna and billfish fishery (ETBF), longline fishing, fisheries bycatch, incidental mortality, seabird, shearwater, albatross, bycatch mitigation
    Research Division:Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
    Research Group:Fisheries Sciences
    Research Field:Fisheries Management
    Objective Division:Environment
    Objective Group:Ecosystem Assessment and Management
    Objective Field:Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments
    UTAS Author:Trebilco, R (Dr Rowan Trebilco)
    UTAS Author:Baker, GB (Dr Barry Baker)
    ID Code:101966
    Year Published:2010
    Web of Science® Times Cited:27
    Deposited By:CRC-Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems
    Deposited On:2015-07-21
    Last Modified:2017-05-23
    Downloads:0

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