Human-induced threats to turtles, sea birds and other vulnerable species; overview, needs analysis and stakeholder identification Angola Prepared for the Benguela Current Convention June 2017 Acknowledgement This project of the Benguela Current Convention’s ecosystem-based management programme is made possible by generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway. …………………………………………………… Disclaimer Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessary reflect the views of the Benguela Current Convention and / or Norway. Executive Summary Fisheries and other human activities have direct and indirect impacts on the aquatic and marine ecosystems, which have resulted in growing ecosystem degradation, loss of habitat as well as inadequate management-oriented research, poor long-term monitoring and limited integrated planning of conflicting uses. The focus of this report is the human activities that can be managed and monitored in the BCC environment. The document provides a synthesis of information on human induced threats pertinent to the protection of seabirds, turtles and other vulnerable species, including reference to elasmobranchs, marine mammals and fish species. As the main thrust of the project is to update the National Plan of Action (NPOA) to curb the incidental mortality of seabirds, emphasis has been placed on providing detailed information that will assist in the compilation of the NPOA. Catastrophic incidents such as oil spill disasters and the long-term impact of plastic debris fall outside the scope of this report. 2 | P a g e Table of Contents Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................ 6 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1. Review of human threats to the environment of vulnerable marine and seabird species .... 7 1.2. Scope of the NPOA .................................................................................................................. 8 1.3. Human impacts particular to the BCC environment ............................................................... 9 1.4. Existing Legislation ................................................................................................................ 10 2. Main threats affecting conservation status of vulnerable marine species other than seabirds, turtles, current initiatives and proposed interventions ........................................................................ 12 2.1. Marine mammals .................................................................................................................. 13 2.1.1. Ecosystem changes ....................................................................................................... 15 2.1.2. Food Web interactions .................................................................................................. 15 2.1.3. Pollution ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.1.4. Habitat loss and disturbance ........................................................................................ 15 2.1.5. Climate Change ............................................................................................................. 16 3. Overview: Main threats affecting conservation status of vulnerable seabirds and turtles .......... 16 3.1. Seabirds ................................................................................................................................. 17 3.1.1. Ecosystem changes ....................................................................................................... 18 3.1.2. Food Web interactions .................................................................................................. 18 3.1.3. Pollution ........................................................................................................................ 19 3.1.4. Habitat loss and disturbance ........................................................................................ 19 3.1.5. Climate change .............................................................................................................. 19 3.1.6. Predators ....................................................................................................................... 19 3.2. Turtles and other reptiles ..................................................................................................... 19 3.2.1. Ecosystem changes ....................................................................................................... 20 3.2.2. Food Web interactions .................................................................................................. 20 3.2.3. Pollution ........................................................................................................................ 21 3.2.4. Habitat loss and disturbance ........................................................................................ 21 3.2.5. Climate Change ............................................................................................................. 21 3.2.6. Predators ....................................................................................................................... 21 3.2.7. Stakeholders.................................................................................................................. 21 3.3. Mangroves ............................................................................................................................ 22 3.3.1. Ecosystem changes ....................................................................................................... 22 3.3.2. Habitat loss and disturbance ........................................................................................ 23 3.3.3. Government frameworks .............................................................................................. 23 3 | P a g e 3.3.4. Climate change .............................................................................................................. 24 3.3.5. Current and proposed mitigation measures ................................................................. 24 3.4. Bays and Lagunas .................................................................................................................. 25 3.4.1. Ecosystem changes ....................................................................................................... 28 3.4.2. Habitat loss and disturbance ........................................................................................ 28 3.4.3. Government frameworks .............................................................................................. 28 3.4.4. Climate change .............................................................................................................. 29 3.4.5. Stakeholders.................................................................................................................. 29 4. Relevant Fishery Sectors affecting seabirds, turtles and other vulnerable marine species .......... 29 4.1. Pelagic Longline ..................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 31 4.1.2. Current information ...................................................................................................... 31 4.1.3. Human impact of by-catch and ghost fishing ............................................................... 31 4.1.4. Current and proposed mitigation measures and interventions ................................... 32 4.2. Pelagic Longline and tuna pole-line ...................................................................................... 32 4.2.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 32 4.2.2. Current information ...................................................................................................... 33 4.2.3. Human impact of by-catch and ghost fishing ............................................................... 34 4.3. Line fishery ............................................................................................................................ 35 4.3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 35 4.3.2. Current information ...................................................................................................... 36 4.3.3. Human impact of by-catch and ghost fishing ............................................................... 36 4.4. Gillnet fishery ........................................................................................................................ 36 4.4.1. Current information ...................................................................................................... 36 4.4.2. Human impact of by-catch and ghost fishing in mangroves ......................................... 37 5. Summary table of primary drivers affecting conservation status of vulnerable seabirds, marine turtles and reptiles, current initiatives and proposed interventions ..................................................