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title: "The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission considers ACAP’s advice for reducing seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries"
---

# The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission considers ACAP’s advice for reducing seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries

The12th Meeting of the Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch ([WPEB12](http://www.iotc.org/meetings/12th-working-party-ecosystems-and-bycatch-wpeb12)) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org/)) was held in Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles from 12-16 September.

 The Albatross and Petrel Agreement was represented by Anton Wolfaardt, Convenor of its Seabird Bycatch Working Group.  The meeting considered a number of seabird-related papers, two of which were submitted by ACAP.  One of these papers (IOTC-2016-WPEB12-34, [ACAP advice for reducing the impact of pelagic longline fishing operations on seabirds](http://www.iotc.org/documents/acap-advice-reducing-impact-pelagic-longline-fishing-operations-seabirds)) by Anton Wolfaardt, Marco Favero and Nathan Walker summarised the latest ACAP best-practice advice for reducing seabird bycatch associated with pelagic longline fisheries.  ACAP’s advice was updated most recently at the Ninth Meeting of its Advisory Committee ([AC9](http://www.acap.aq/en/documents/advisory-committee/ac9)) in May 2016 to modify the recommended line-weighting specifications, and to include in the list of best-practice mitigation measures two hook-shielding devices.  These two devices encase the point and barb of baited hooks until a prescribed depth or immersion time has been reached, thus reducing the likelihood of seabirds becoming hooked.

 The WPEB supported both aspects of the updated ACAP best-practice advice, and recommended that when the IOTC Seabird Conservation and Management Measure ([Resolution 12/06 On reducing the incidental bycatch of seabirds in longline fisheries](http://www.iotc.org/meetings/19th-scientific-committee-sc19)) is next reviewed, the line-weighting specifications be updated to conform with the latest ACAP advice.  It further recommended that the two hook-shielding devices recommended by ACAP be incorporated as additional mitigation options.  This recommendation by the WPEB will be further discussed and considered by the IOTC Scientific Committee, at its [19th Meeting](http://www.iotc.org/meetings/19th-scientific-committee-sc19)to be held from 1-5 December this year in the Seychelles.

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) 

 Click [here](http://www.iotc.org/meetings/12th-working-party-ecosystems-and-bycatch-wpeb12) to access the official report of WPEB12

 *Anton Wolfaardt, Convenor, ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group, 11 October 2016*