Alaska Regulations on Seabird Avoidance and Listed Seabirds

Guide for Alaska Fishermen

679.2 Definitions. Definition of "seabird avoidance gear" and "seabird".
679.5 Recordkeeping and Reporting. 679.5(c)(3)(v)(G)(3)(iv) The bird avoidance gear codes used on Catcher Vessel Daily Fishing Logbook (DFL) and Catcher/processor Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL)
679.24 Gear Limitations. 679.24(e) Seabird avoidance program for vessels fishing with hook-and-line gear.
679.42 Limitations on use of QS and IFQ. 679.42(b)(2) Seabird avoidance gear and methods for IFQ.
679.51 Groundfish Observer Program. 679.51(e)(1)(viii)(F) Vessel responsibilities for collecting all seabirds that are incidentally taken.
Table 19. Seabird Avoidance Gear Codes
Table 20. Seabird Avoidance Gear Requirements for Vessels, Based on Area, Gear, and Vessel Type

For the purposes of complying with the regulatory requirements for seabird avoidance gear and methods, you are advised to see the actual text of the 50 CFR part 679 regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.

66 FR 3853, January 17, 2001: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds Presidential Executive Order 13186

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Public Law 94-265): Sections 2, 202, 301, and 405 are among those that address bycatch.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973: Section 7 is relevant to fisheries bycatch issues.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
High Seas Fishing Compliance Act

74 FR 23739, May 20, 2009. Notice of availability of the Final Recovery Plan, and USFWS initiation of 5-year status review
70 FR 61988, October 27, 2005. Draft Recovery Plan for the Short-tailed Albatross
65 FR 46643, July 31, 2000: Final rule to list the Short-tailed Albatross as endangered
USFWS' Short-tailed Albatross Species Profile

66 FR 8850, February 2, 2001. Final rule to designate Steller's Eider Critical Habitat
66 FR 9146, February 6, 2001. Final rule to designate Spectacled Eider Critical Habitat
62 FR 31748, June 11, 1997. The USFWS determines the Alaska breeding population of the Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) to be threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
58 FR 27474, May 10, 1993. The USFWS determines that the spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri) is a threatened species throughout its range in Alaska and Russia
USFWS' Species Profiles:
- Steller's Eider
- Spectacled Eider

Last updated by Alaska Regional Office on 03/30/2023

Seabird Bycatch