Increased concerns have arisen about the incidental capture of non-target species in various fisheries throughout the world. Incidental capture can be economically wasteful, it impacts living marine resources, and the accidental killing of non-harvested

Seabirds (mostly northern fulmars) congregating around the F/V Judi B, a commercial longline vessel. Photo: Kim Dietrich, Washington Sea Grant

animals may be aesthetically aversive. Incidental catch of non-target marine species such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds has generated growing concern over the long-term ecological effects of such bycatch in longline and other fisheries conducted in many areas of the world's oceans.

In response to these concerns, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for an expert consultation on the issue of global seabird bycatch in longline fisheries. As a result of the consultation, the FAO adopted an International Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-S) in 1999. The IPOA-S applies to "States" (hereafter Countries) in whose waters longline fishing is being conducted by their own or foreign vessels, and to Countries that conduct longline fishing on the high seas and in the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of other Countries. The IPOA-S is a voluntary measure that calls on Countries to: (1) assess the degree of seabird bycatch in their longline fisheries; (2) develop individual national plans of action to reduce seabird bycatch in longline fisheries that have a seabird bycatch problem; and (3) develop a course of future research and action to reduce seabird bycatch. The NPOA-S is to be implemented consistent with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and all applicable rules of international law, and in conjunction with relevant international organizations.

The United States developed its National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (NPOA-S) in 2001. Development of the NPOA-S was a collaborative effort between the NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Department of State (DOS), carried out in large part by the Interagency Seabird Working Group (ISWG) consisting of representatives from those three agencies. This partnership approach recognizes the individual agency management authorities covering seabird interactions with longline fisheries. Also in 2001, NOAA Fisheries appointed its National Seabird Coordinator to head up its NPOA implementation initiatives. This work requires maintenance of a national perspective through coordinated regional activities.

Adult short-tailed albatrosses on primary breeding colony site on Torishima Island, Japan (about 370 miles south of Tokyo). Photo: Dr. Hiroshi Hasegawa, Toho University

NOAA Fisheries manages U.S. fisheries under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act. FWS manages birds predominately under the authority of the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In addition, DOS has the lead role in international negotiations on fisheries conservation and management issues that should help promote IPOA implementation by encouraging other nations to develop NPOAs. Given each agency's responsibilities, the NPOA-S was developed collaboratively by NOAA Fisheries and FWS. This collaborative effort has increased communication between seabird specialists and fishery managers in FWS and NOAA Fisheries. Maintaining this cooperation is a high priority for both agencies.

National Initiatives

• Final U.S. National Plan of Action for the Reduction of Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries


• Interagency Seabird Working Group members


• Seabird Bycatch Regulations


• NOAA Fisheries Multi-Species Bycatch Information


• NOAA Fisheries and Council Regional Seabird Efforts
      - Alaska Regional Office
      - Alaska Fisheries Science Center
      - Pacific Island Regional Office
      - Southwest Regional Office
      - South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
      - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS)


• Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions on Short-tailed Albatross
      - Alaska
      - Hawaii, October 2004
      - West Coast US

International Initiatives

• National Plans of Action on Seabirds


• International Plan of Action (IPOA) for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries


• FAO's Fisheries Circular No. 937- The Incidental Catch of Seabirds by Longline Fisheries: Wordlwide Review and Technical Guidelines for Mitigation


• United States' Implementation of the IPOA-Seabirds
  Information prepared for FAO Committee on Fisheries Meeting, March 2005


• NOAA Fisheries International Seabird Bycatch Reduction Activities, February 2007


• Seabird Resolutions at the Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMO)


• Summary of Seabird Information from the March 2005 COFI and RFB Meetings


• Seabird Side Session at 4th Meeting of Regional Fishery Bodies, March 14, 2005
      - IPOA-Seabirds: Implementation by RFMOs (NOAA Fisheries Service presentation)
      - RFMOs: Their Role & Performance in Reducing Seabird Bycatch (BirdLife International presentation)


• Seabird Side Session at FAO's COFI Meeting, March 10, 2005


• Implementation of the US National Plan of Action on Seabirds
  US report for FAO Committee on Fisheries Meeting, February 2003

• Longline Workshop, 2007
• Pacific Seabird Group Poster, 2008