Improving and documenting seabird bycatch mitigation practices in the North Eastern New Zealand longline fishery
Read about the seabird liaison officer assisting the North East coast longline fleets in reducing their risk to seabirds. Published July 2015.

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MIT2014-03: Improving and documenting seabird bycatch mitigation practices in the North Eastern New Zealand longline fishery (PDF, 565K)

Summary

To effectively reduce the risk of interactions with seabirds it is important for vessels to take the latest developments in mitigation technology and be able to adapt them to their specific operations. Translating the latest scientific research and fishing regulations into operational parameters is not always a straight forward process.

Equally an adequate working understanding of seabird biology, taxonomy and behaviour assist in understanding the risk posed in each area and season. By employing liaison officers who have operational experience in fishing fleets along with an understanding of best practice mitigation and seabird characteristics it is possible to spread information over the fishing fleet in a collaborative  and practical manner. 

Liaison officers to travelled to key ports before, during and immediately after high risk months in order to share information on seabird behaviour and mitigation options. This report summarises the work of the liaison officers during the 2014/15 summer season.

Publication information

Goad, D., and Williamson, J. 2015. Improving and documenting seabird bycatch mitigation practices in the North Eastern New Zealand longline fishery. Report prepared by Vita Maris for the New Zealand Department of Conservation, Wellington. 28p.