Australia calls for comment on its new Seabird Threat Abatement Plan for longline fisheries

Australia is calling for public comment on the draft update to its Threat Abatement Plan 2014 for the Incidental Catch (or Bycatch) of Seabirds during Oceanic Longline Fishing Operations.

Black browed Albatross  Heard Island RK s

A Black-browed Albatross feeds its downy chick on Australia's Heard Island

“The draft threat abatement plan for incidental catch of seabirds provides a national strategy to guide the activities of government, industry and research organisations in abating the impact of oceanic longline fishing operations on seabirds in Commonwealth fisheries.”

The consultation paper and related documents are available on the Department of the Environment and Energy website here.  The public consultation period is open until 30 June 2017.

Further information about the 2014 abatement plan is available at the Threat Abatement Plan – seabirds page.

longline

With thanks to Jonathon Barrington, Australian Antarctic Division, for information.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 March 2017

The Agreement on the
Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

ACAP is a multilateral agreement which seeks to conserve listed albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters by coordinating international activity to mitigate known threats to their populations.

About ACAP

ACAP Secretariat

119 Macquarie St
Hobart TAS 7000
Australia

Tel: +61 3 6165 6674