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The Eighth Session of the Scientific Committee (WCPFC-SC8) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is being held this week in Busan, Korea.  Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary, is representing the Agreement at the meeting.  ACAP has submitted three papers for consideration.

At the Scientific Committee meeting ACAP is seeking endorsement of best-practice advice for seabird bycatch mitigation measures in pelagic longline fisheries.  It is considered that a combination of weighted branch lines, bird-scaring lines and night setting is the most effective means of minimising seabird bycatch in high-risk areas.

Support will be sought for the collection of additional data by the Regional Observer Programme (ROP) to assist the WCPFC in evaluating the effectiveness of the bycatch mitigation measures being used.  ACAP is also providing a progress report on the development of a seabird identification guide for use by tRFMOs in the identification of seabird corpses caught in longline fishing operations.

Selected meeting papers:

ACAP 2012.  Review of seabird bycatch mitigation measures for pelagic longline fisheries.  WCPFC-SC8-2012/EB-WP-06.  20 pp.

ACAP 2012.  Minimum data requirements for monitoring seabird bycatch.  WCPFC-SC8-2012/B-WP-07.  17 pp.

Beck, N., Inoue, Y. & Papworth, W.  2012.  Progress report on the development of a seabird identification guide for use by tRFMOs.  Rev. 2 (31 July 2012).  WCPFC-SC8-2012/EB-IP-04.  11 pp.

Fitzsimmons, L. 2012.  Bycatch mitigation information system.  WCPFC-SC8-2012/EB-IP-01.

Robertson, R. & Hay, I.  2012.  Progress report on the development and testing of the underwater bait setter for pelagic longline fisheries.  WCPFC-SC8-2012/EB-IP-02.  5 pp.

Robertson, G., Candy, S.G. & Hall, S. 2012.  New branch line weighting regimes reduce risk of seabird mortality in the Australian pelagic longline fishery without affecting fish catch.  WCPFC-SC8-EB-WP-09.  19 pp.

Robertson, G, Candy, S.G. & Hay I. 2012.  Branch line weighting options that reduce the risk of seabird bycatch.  WCPFC-SC8-2012/EB-WP-10.  12 pp.

Click here to download the above meeting papers.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 August 2012