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Seabird Bycatch Reduction Program - Regulations

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Seabird Avoidance Gear and Methods
  • Regulations
  • Guide for Fishermen


  • Proposed and Final Rules
    Laysan albatross
    Laysan albatross. Photo: Kim Rivera
  • 72 FR 71601, December 18, 2007. Final rule to revise the seabird avoidance measures for the Alaska hook-and-line groundfish and halibut fisheries. Effective on January 17, 2008.
  • 72 FR 53516, September 19, 2007. Proposed rule to revise the seabird avoidance measures for the Alaska hook-and-line groundfish and halibut fisheries. Comment period through October 19, 2007.
  • 69 FR 1930, January 13, 2004. Final rule to revise regulations requiring seabird avoidance measures in the hook-and-line fisheries off Alaska.
  • 68 FR 6386, February 7, 2003. Proposed revisions to seabird avoidance measures in the hook-and-line fisheries off Alaska
  • 63 FR 11161, March 6, 1998. Final rule for management measures to reduce seabird bycatch in the hook-and-line halibut and groundfish Fisheries
  • 62 FR 65635, December 15, 1997. Proposed rule for seabird avoidance devices in halibut and groundfish fisheries
  • 62 FR 23176, April 29, 1997. Final rule for seabird avoidance devices in the hook-and-line groundfish fisheries
  • 62 FR 10016, March 5, 1997. Proposed rule for seabird avoidance devices in the hook-and-line groundfish fisheries


  • USFWS Proposed and Final Rules in Alaska

    Short-tailed Albatross
  • 70 FR 61988, October 27, 2005. Draft Recovery Plan for the Short-tailed Albatross
  • 65 FR 46643, July 31, 2000: Final rule to list the Short-tailed Albatross as endangered
  • 63 FR 58692, November 2, 1998. Proposed rule to list the Short-tailed albatross as endangered


  • Eider
  • 66 FR 8850, February 2, 2001: Final rule for Steller's Eider Critical Habitat (Large file: 4 MB)
  • 66 FR 9146, February 6, 2001: Final rule for Spectacled Eider Critical Habitat (Large file: 400 KB)
  •                - Eider Analyses and Fact Sheets
  • Proposed rule for Spectacled and Steller’s Eider critical habitat
  •             - Extension to: September 25, 2000
        - Extension to: August 31, 2000
        - Extension to: June 30, 2000
        - 65 FR 13262, March 13, 2000, Original Closing Date: May 12, 2000
        - 65 FR 6114, February 8, 2000, Original Closing Date: May 8, 2000


    Alaska Notices
  • 70 FR 65888, November 1, 2005. Proposed information collection for Alaska Seabird Avoidance Plan. Comment period through January 3, 2006.
  • 70 FR 13174, March 18, 2005: Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to conduct an experiment to evaluate the integrated weight groundline as a potential seabird avoidance measure in the 2005 Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery in the BSAI.
  • 69 FR 29701, May 25, 2004. Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit from the Washington Sea Grant Program to test integrated weight groundline
  • 67 FR 19154, April 18, 2002. Notice of petition for rulemaking from Oceana regarding bycatch of birds, mammals, turtles, and fish.
  • 66 FR 12764, February 28, 2001: Notice of availability of a NPOA for the reduction of incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries
  • 65 FR 4945, February 2, 2000. Notice of extension of public comment period for draft NPOA-Seabirds
  • 64 FR 14885, March 29, 1999. Notice of Receipt of Application: Washington Sea Grant Program for Seabird Avoidance Measures
  • 64 FR 29994, June 4, 1999. Issuance of Permit 99-02: Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation to test artificial longline bait fabricated from seafood waste
  • 64 FR 48987, September 9, 1999: Notice of intent to develop a National Plan of Action for the Reduction of Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (NPOA-S)
  • 64 FR 73017 December 29, 1999. Draft NPOA-Seabirds made available for review and public comment.


  • Other NMFS Seabird Regulations
  • 70 FR 75075, December 19, 2005. Final rule for additional measures, including side-setting, to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in the Hawaii Pelagic Longline Fishery.
  • 70 FR 59725, October 13, 2005. Western Pacific Fishery Management Council holds conference call to discuss seabird bycatch measures in the Hawaii Pelagic Longline Fishery.
  • 70 FR 40302, July 13, 2005. Proposed rule for additional measures to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in the Hawaii Pelagic Longline Fishery.
  • 69 FR 18444, April 7, 2004. Final Rule for US West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
  • 68 FR 68834, December 10, 2003. Proposed Rule for regulations to implement the US West Coast Fisheries for HMS FMP
  • 69 FR 17329 April 2, 2004. Final Rule for Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries, Limited Swordfish Fishery, Sea Turtle and Seabird Mitigation Measures
  • 69 FR 4098, January 28, 2004. Proposed Rule for Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries, Limited Swordfish Fishery, Sea Turtle and Seabird Mitigation Measures
  • 69 FR 10207, March 4, 2004. Final notification of CCAMLR measures
  • 68 FR 70554, December 18, 2003. Revised CCAMLR seabird avoidance measures---see Conservation Measures 25-02 and 25-03
  • 61 FR 8483, March 5 1996. CCAMLR seabird avoidance measures
  • 67 FR 34408, May 14, 2002. Final rule for Hawaii seabird mitigation measures.
  • Hawaii Longline Fishery Seabird Mitigation



  • Executive Orders
  • 66 FR 3853, January 17, 2001: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds Presidential Executive Order 13186
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    Related Laws
  • Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Public Law 94-265): Sections 2, 202, 301, and 405 are among those that address bycatch.
  • The Endangered Species Act of 1973: Section 7 is relevant to fisheries bycatch issues.
  • Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
  • High Seas Fishing Compliance Act