Guidelines to Prevent and Reduce Marine Mammal Bycatch
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
An Evaluation of Cetacean Bycatch in UK Fisheries: Problems and Solutions
AN EVALUATION OF CETACEAN BYCATCH IN UK FISHERIES: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS A report to WDC and HSI Russell Leaper | February 2021 1 SUMMARY Cetacean bycatch has been a serious and persistent welfare and conservation issue in UK waters for many years. The most recent estimates indicate that over 1000 cetaceans are killed each year in UK fisheries. The species most affected are harbour porpoise, common dolphin, minke and humpback whale, but all cetaceans in UK waters are vulnerable. The level of suffering for mammals that become entangled in fishing gear has been described as ‘one of the grossest abuses of wild animal sensibility in the modern world’. Although potential solutions exist, the mitigation efforts to date have only achieved small reductions in the numbers of animals that are killed. The Fisheries Act 2020 commits the UK to minimise and, where possible, eliminate bycatch of sensitive species. The Act does not include details of how to achieve this, but requires reconsideration of fisheries management and practices, the phasing out of some gears, and a change of approach from strategies previously pursued. While gill nets are recognised as the highest risk gear category globally for cetacean bycatch, there are also serious bycatch problems associated with trawl fisheries and with creel fisheries using pots and traps. The different characteristics of these gear types and the types and size of vessels involved, require different approaches to bycatch monitoring and mitigation. Acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs), such as ‘pingers’, have been shown to be effective at reducing harbour porpoise bycatch in gill nets, but the reduction achieved so far has been small, they may cause unwanted disturbance or displacement, and they may not be effective for other species. -
SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES and RESPONSIBLE AQUACULTURE: a Guide for USAID Staff and Partners
SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND RESPONSIBLE AQUACULTURE: A Guide for USAID Staff and Partners June 2013 ABOUT THIS GUIDE GOAL This guide provides basic information on how to design programs to reform capture fisheries (also referred to as “wild” fisheries) and aquaculture sectors to ensure sound and effective development, environmental sustainability, economic profitability, and social responsibility. To achieve these objectives, this document focuses on ways to reduce the threats to biodiversity and ecosystem productivity through improved governance and more integrated planning and management practices. In the face of food insecurity, global climate change, and increasing population pressures, it is imperative that development programs help to maintain ecosystem resilience and the multiple goods and services that ecosystems provide. Conserving biodiversity and ecosystem functions are central to maintaining ecosystem integrity, health, and productivity. The intent of the guide is not to suggest that fisheries and aquaculture are interchangeable: these sectors are unique although linked. The world cannot afford to neglect global fisheries and expect aquaculture to fill that void. Global food security will not be achievable without reversing the decline of fisheries, restoring fisheries productivity, and moving towards more environmentally friendly and responsible aquaculture. There is a need for reform in both fisheries and aquaculture to reduce their environmental and social impacts. USAID’s experience has shown that well-designed programs can reform capture fisheries management, reducing threats to biodiversity while leading to increased productivity, incomes, and livelihoods. Agency programs have focused on an ecosystem-based approach to management in conjunction with improved governance, secure tenure and access to resources, and the application of modern management practices. -
Hauling up Solutions
HAULING UP SOLUTIONS REDUCING CETACEAN BYCATCH IN UK FISHERIES WORKSHOP REPORT HAULING UP SOLUTIONS REPORT 1 CONTENTS CONTENTS 1 SECTION ONE: SUMMARY 2 SECTION TWO: BACKGROUND 6 SECTION THREE: INTRODUCTION TO THE ISSUE 10 SECTION FOUR: MONITORING 14 SECTION FIVE: MITIGATION 17 SECTION SIX: RECOMMENDATIONS 26 SECTION SEVEN: NEXT STEPS 28 SECTION EIGHT: STAY IN TOUCH & GLOSSARY 30 ANNEX: REFERENCES, WORKSHOP PRESENTERS REPORT CITATION Tindall, C., Hetherington, S., Bell, C., Deaville, R., Barker, J., Borrow, K., Oakley, M., Bendall, V., Engelhard, G. (Eds) (2019) Hauling Up Solutions: Reducing Cetacean Bycatch in UK Fisheries. Final Workshop Report. 31 pp. www.cefas.co.uk/cetacean-by-catch-workshop. CHATHAM HOUSE RULE This report gives a summary of a participatory workshop on cetacean bycatch held at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) on 12-13 March 2019 held under the Chatham House Rule. As a result, no comments are affiliated to any individual or organisation apart from direct quotes, for which permission was sought. i HAULING UP SOLUTIONS REPORT SECTION ONE SUMMARY Accidental capture in fishing gear (bycatch) is one of the greatest threats faced globally by cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and has contributed to the decline and extinction of some populations and species1. Cetacean bycatch is problematic as it represents a welfare issue for individuals caught which is of public concern; an economic cost to fishermen owing to the time taken to clear and repair damaged gear, and the subsequent lost catch; an issue of safety for fishermen when clearing nets; as well as a potential conservation concern for some species or populations. -
Reinitiated Biological Opinion on Groundfish Fisheries Affecting Humpback Whales
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological and Conference Opinion Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (Reinitiation of consultation #NWR-2012-876) – Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) NMFS Consultation Number: WCRO-2018-01378 ARN 151422WCR2018PR00213 Action Agency: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Affected Species and NMFS’ Determinations: ESA-Listed Species Status Is Action Is Action Is Action Is Action Likely Likely to Likely To Likely to To Destroy or Adversely Jeopardize Adversely Adversely Affect the Species? Affect Modify Critical Species? Critical Habitat? Habitat? Humpback whale Endangered Yes No No No (Megaptera novaeangliae) – Central America DPS Humpback whale – Threatened Yes No No No Mexico DPS Consultation Conducted By: National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region Issued By: _______________________________ Barry A. Thom Regional Administrator Date: October 26, 2020 ESA Section 7 Consultation Number WCRO-2018-01378 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7 1.1. Background ..................................................................................................................................................................7 1.2. Consultation History ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.3. Proposed Federal Action ....................................................................................................................................... -
Federal Register/Vol. 70, No. 182/Wednesday, September 21
55334 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2005 / Notices 15 minutes for a request for a Dolphin DATES: Written comments must be IV. Request for Comments Mortality Limit; 10 minutes for submitted on or before November 21, Comments are invited on: (a) Whether notification of vessel arrival; 60 minutes 2005. the proposed collection of information for a tuna tracking form; 10 minutes for ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments is necessary for the proper performance a monthly tuna storage removal report; to Diana Hynek, Departmental of the functions of the agency, including 60 minutes for a monthly tuna receiving Paperwork Clearance Officer, whether the information shall have report; and 30 minutes for a special Department of Commerce, Room 6625, practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the report documenting the origin of tuna (if 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., agency’s estimate of the burden requested by the NOAA Administrator). (including hours and cost) of the Estimated Total Annual Burden Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [email protected]). proposed collection of information; (c) Hours: 135. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Estimated Total Annual Cost to clarity of the information to be Requests for additional information or Public: $519. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the copies of the information collection burden of the collection of information IV. Request for Comments instrument and instructions should be on respondents, including through the Comments are invited on: (a) Whether directed to Amy S. Van Atten, (508) use of automated collection techniques the proposed collection of information 495–2266 or [email protected]. -
Cetacean Rapid Assessment: an Approach to Fill Knowledge Gaps and Target Conservation Across Large Data Deficient Areas
Received: 9 January 2017 Revised: 19 June 2017 Accepted: 17 July 2017 DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2833 RESEARCH ARTICLE Cetacean rapid assessment: An approach to fill knowledge gaps and target conservation across large data deficient areas Gill T. Braulik1,2 | Magreth Kasuga1 | Anja Wittich3 | Jeremy J. Kiszka4 | Jamie MacCaulay2 | Doug Gillespie2 | Jonathan Gordon2 | Said Shaib Said5 | Philip S. Hammond2 1 Wildlife Conservation Society Tanzania Program, Tanzania Abstract 2 Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans 1. Many species and populations of marine megafauna are undergoing substantial declines, while Institute, University of St Andrews, St many are also very poorly understood. Even basic information on species presence is unknown Andrews, Fife, UK for tens of thousands of kilometres of coastline, particularly in the developing world, which is a 3 23 Adamson Terrace, Leven, Fife, UK major hurdle to their conservation. 4 Department of Biological Sciences, Florida 2. Rapid ecological assessment is a valuable tool used to identify and prioritize areas for International University, North Miami, FL, USA conservation; however, this approach has never been clearly applied to marine cetaceans. Here 5 Institute of Marine Science, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania a rapid assessment protocol is outlined that will generate broad‐scale, quantitative, baseline Correspondence data on cetacean communities and potential threats, that can be conducted rapidly and cost‐ Gill T. Braulik, Wildlife Conservation Society effectively across whole countries, or regions. Tanzania Program, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Email: [email protected] 3. The rapid assessment was conducted in Tanzania, East Africa, and integrated collection of data on cetaceans from visual, acoustic, and interview surveys with existing information from multiple Funding information sources, to provide low resolution data on cetacean community relative abundance, diversity, and Pew Marine Fellows, Grant/Award Number: threats. -
Estimating Common Dolphin Bycatch in the Pole-And-Line Tuna Fishery In
Estimating common dolphin bycatch in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores Maria Joa˜o Cruz1,2, Miguel Machete2, Gui Menezes1,2, Emer Rogan3 and Mo´nica A. Silva2,4 1 Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Ac¸ores, Horta, Ac¸ores, Portugal 2 MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and IMAR—Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Ac¸ores, Horta, Ac¸ores, Portugal 3 School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Enterprise Centre, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland 4 Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA ABSTRACT Small-scale artisanal fisheries can have a significant negative impact in cetacean populations. Cetacean bycatch has been documented in the pole-and-line tuna fishery in the Azores with common dolphins being the species more frequently taken. Based on data collected by observers on ∼50% of vessels operating from 1998 to 2012, we investigate the influence of various environmental and fisheries-related factors in common dolphin bycatch and calculate fleet-wide estimates of total bycatch using design-based and model-based methods. Over the 15-year study dolphin bycatch occurred in less than 0.4% of the observed fishing events. Generalized additive modelling results suggest a significant relationship between common dolphin bycatch and duration of fishing events, sea surface temperature and location. Total bycatch calculated from the traditional stratified ratio estimation approach was 196 (95% CI: 186–205), while the negative binomial GAM estimated 262 (95% CI: 249–274) dolphins. Bycatch estimates of common dolphin were similar using statistical approaches suggesting that either of these methods may be Submitted 21 August 2017 used in future bycatch assessments for this fishery. -
Why Study Bycatch? an Introduction to the Theme Section on Fisheries Bycatch
Vol. 5: 91–102, 2008 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Printed December 2008 doi: 10.3354/esr00175 Endang Species Res Published online December xx, 2008 Contribution to the Theme Section ‘Fisheries bycatch problems and solutions’ OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Why study bycatch? An introduction to the Theme Section on fisheries bycatch Candan U. Soykan1,*, Jeffrey E. Moore2, Ramunas ¯ 5ydelis2, Larry B. Crowder2, Carl Safina3, Rebecca L. Lewison1 1Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, California 92182-4614, USA 2Center for Marine Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort,North Carolina 28516, USA 3Blue Ocean Institute, PO Box 250, East Norwich, New York 11732, USA ABSTRACT: Several high-profile examples of fisheries bycatch involving marine megafauna (e.g. dolphins in tuna purse-seines, albatrosses in pelagic longlines, sea turtles in shrimp trawls) have drawn attention to the unintentional capture of non-target species during fishing operations, and have resulted in a dramatic increase in bycatch research over the past 2 decades. Although a number of successful mitigation measures have been developed, the scope of the bycatch problem far exceeds our current capacity to deal with it. Specifically, we lack a comprehensive understanding of bycatch rates across species, fisheries, and ocean basins, and, with few exceptions, we lack data on demographic responses to bycatch or the in situ effectiveness of existing mitigation measures. As an introduction to this theme section of Endangered Species Research ‘Fisheries bycatch: problems and solutions’, we focus on 5 bycatch-related questions that require research attention, building on exam- ples from the current literature and the contributions to this Theme Section. -
SOLUTION: Gathering and Sonic Blasts for Oil Exploration Because These Practices Can Harm and Kill Whales
ENDANGEREDWHALES © Nolan/Greenpeace WE HAVE A PROBLEM: WHAT YOU CAN DO: • Many whale species still face extinction. • Tell the Bush administration to strongly support whale protection so whaling countries get the • Blue whales, the largest animals ever, may now number as message. few as 400.1 • Ask elected officials to press Iceland, Japan • Rogue nations Japan, Norway and Iceland flout the and Norway to respect the commercial whaling international ban on commercial whaling. moratorium. • Other threats facing whales include global warming, toxic • Demand that the U.S. curb global warming pollution dumping, noise pollution and lethal “bycatch” from fishing. and sign the Stockholm Convention, which bans the most harmful chemicals on the planet. • Tell Congress that you oppose sonar intelligence SOLUTION: gathering and sonic blasts for oil exploration because these practices can harm and kill whales. • Japan, Norway and Iceland must join the rest of the world and respect the moratorium on commercial whaling. • The loophole Japan exploits to carry out whaling for “Tomostpeople,whalingisallnineteenth- “scientific” research should be closed. centurystuff.Theyhavenoideaabout • Fishing operations causing large numbers of whale hugefloatingslaughterhouses,steel-hulled bycatch deaths must be cleaned up or stopped. chaserboatswithsonartostalkwhales, • Concerted international action must be taken to stop andharpoonsfiredfromcannons.” other threats to whales including global warming, noise Bob Hunter, pollution, ship strikes and toxic contamination. -
(MSC) Announcement Comment Draft Report for Client Jeong Il
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Announcement Comment Draft Report for Client Jeong Il Corporation Antarctic krill fishery On Behalf of Jeong Il Corporation, Seoul Prepared by Control Union UK Ltd. September 2020 Authors: Henry Ernst Julian Addison Gudrun Gaudian Sophie des Clers Jung-Hee Cho Control Union UK Ltd. 56 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9AH United Kingdom Tel: 01590 613007 Fax: 01590 671573 Email: [email protected] Website: http.uk.controlunion.com Contents CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 1 QA ............................................................................................................................................... 2 GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 3 2 REPORT DETAILS ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Authorship and Peer Reviewers .............................................................................................. 6 2.2 Version details ......................................................................................................................... 8 3 UNIT(S) OF ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION .................................................................................. -
'Bycatch' Whaling a Growing Threat to Coastal Whales 23 June 2009
'Bycatch' whaling a growing threat to coastal whales 23 June 2009 Scientists are warning that a new form of Whales are occasionally killed in entanglements unregulated whaling has emerged along the with fishing nets and the deaths of large whales are coastlines of Japan and South Korea, where the reported by most member nations of the IWC. commercial sale of whales killed as fisheries Japan and South Korea are the only countries that "bycatch" is threatening coastal stocks of minke allow the commercial sale of products killed as whales and other protected species. "incidental bycatch." The sheer number of whales represented by whale-meat products on the market Scott Baker, associate director of the Marine suggests that both countries have an inordinate Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, says amount of bycatch, Baker said. DNA analysis of whale-meat products sold in Japanese markets suggests that the number of "The sale of bycatch alone supports a lucrative whales actually killed through this "bycatch trade in whale meat at markets in some Korean whaling" may be equal to that killed through coastal cities, where the wholesale price of an adult Japan's scientific whaling program - about 150 minke whale can reach as high as $100,000," annually from each source. Baker said. "Given these financial incentives, you have to wonder how many of these whales are, in Baker, a cetacean expert, and Vimoksalehi fact, killed intentionally." Lukoscheck of the University of California-Irvine presented their findings at the recent scientific In Japan, whale-meat products enter into the meeting of the International Whaling Commission commercial supply chain that supports the (IWC) in Portugal. -
Field Experiments Show That Acoustic Pingers Reduce Marine Mammal Bycatch in the California Drift Gill Net Fishery
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Publications, Agencies and Staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce 2003 FIELD EXPERIMENTS SHOW THAT ACOUSTIC PINGERS REDUCE MARINE MAMMAL BYCATCH IN THE CALIFORNIA DRIFT GILL NET FISHERY Jay Barlow National Marine Fisheries Service, [email protected] Grant A. Cameron UCSD Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdeptcommercepub Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons Barlow, Jay and Cameron, Grant A., "FIELD EXPERIMENTS SHOW THAT ACOUSTIC PINGERS REDUCE MARINE MAMMAL BYCATCH IN THE CALIFORNIA DRIFT GILL NET FISHERY" (2003). Publications, Agencies and Staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce. 236. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdeptcommercepub/236 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of Commerce at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications, Agencies and Staff of the U.S. Department of Commerce by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, 19(2):265-283 (April 2003) 0 2003 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy FIELD EXPERIMENTS SHOW THAT ACOUSTIC PINGERS REDUCE MARINE MAMMAL BYCATCH IN THE CALIFORNIA DRIFT GILL NET FISHERY JAY BARLOW GRANTA. CAMERON’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT A controlled experiment was carried out in 19961997 to determine whether acoustic deterrent devices (pingers) reduce marine mammal bycatch in the California drift gill net fishery for swordfish and sharks.