---
title: "Seabird identification and bycatch mitigation: a list of field manuals and guides"
---

# Seabird identification and bycatch mitigation: a list of field manuals and guides

** Introduction**

 A number of publications, suitable for use aboard fishing vessels, has been produced over the last few decades to aid in identifying seabirds caught on longlines and/or in reducing seabird bycatch in longline fisheries. A bibliographic list follows.  E-mail [secretariat@acap.aq](mailto:secretariat@acap.aq) with bibliographic details of new publications to add to the list.

 ![Onley Scofield](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/Onley__Scofield.jpg) 

 ![CCAMLR](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/CCAMLR.png)

  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/Bycatch_ID_Guide_front_cover.jpg)

 **Field Manuals and Guides**

 ACAP Secretariat & National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries. 2015. [Seabird Bycatch Identification Guide](https://www.acap.aq/resources/bycatch-mitigation/seabird-bycatch-id-guide). updated.  Hobart: ACAP Secretariat.  100 pp. [also available in Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Traditional Chinese].

 Biswell, Shelly F. 2007 [updated by Joanna Pierre 2017].  [*A Fisher's Guide to New Zealand Seabirds*](https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/conservation-services-programme/csp-resources-for-fishers/a-fishers-guide-to-new-zealand-seabirds/). [Wellington]: Department of Conservation. 55 pp.

 Booker, Helen & Petersen, Samantha 2008. *Keeping Endangered Marine Life off the Hook. Benefits to Fishers & Marine* Life (Revised Edition). [Cape Town]: BirdLife South Africa & WWF. 6 pp. [pamphlet].

 Brothers, Nigel [1990s]. [*Catching Fish not Birds. A Guide to Improving your Longline Fishing Efficiency*](https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1084673).  [Hobart]: Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania. 73 pp. ISBN 0 7246 4282 X.

 Brothers, Nigel & Hoy, Dawn [1990s]. *Longline Fishing Dollars and Sense. Catching Fish not Birds using Bottom Set or Mid Water Set Longlines. Pesca de Palangreros los Dolares y en Sentido Comun. Capturando Peces en Vez de Aves Marinas usando Palangreros de Profundidad*.  Stanley: Consolidated Fisheries Ltd.  80 pp. ISBN 0 7242 4538 8. A Chinese version was published in 1998.

 CCAMLR 1996. [*Fish the Sea Not the Sky. How to Avoid by-catch of Seabirds when Fishing with Bottom Longlines*](https://www.ccamlr.org/en/document/publications/fish-sea-not-sky). Hobart: Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. 46 pp. Also published in French, Russian and Spanish.

 Onley, Derek & Bartle, Sandy 2006. [*Identification of Seabirds in the Southern Ocean. A Guide for Scientific Observers aboard Fishing Vessel*s](https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/about/te-papa-press/te-papa-press-natural-history/identification-seabirds-southern-ocean). Wellington: Te Papa Press & Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. 81 pp. ISBN 0 909010 47 1. Also published in French, Russian and Spanish.

 Petersen, Samantha & Honig, Maria [2000s]. *A Practical Guide to Understanding & Reducing Vulnerable Bycatch.  Keeping our Endangered Marine Life off the Hook*.  [Cape Town]: WWF South Africa & BirdLife South Africa. 103 pp. + illustrations.

 *Last updated 15 October 2020*
