National Plan of Action for the Reduction of Seabird Incidental Catch in Longline Fisheries

Increased concerns have arisen about the incidental capture of non-target species in various fisheries throughout the world. Incidental capture can be economically wasteful and impacts living marine resources. The accidental killing of non-harvested animals may also be aesthetically aversive. Incidental catch of non-target marine species such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds has generated growing concern over the long-term ecological effects of such bycatch in longline and other fisheries in many areas of the world’s oceans.

The United States has voluntarily developed the U.S. National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (NPOA-S) to fulfill a national responsibility to address seabird bycatch in longline fisheries. This action was requested in the International Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-S). The IPOA-S applies to “States” (hereafter Countries) in whose waters longline fishing is being conducted by their own or foreign vessels, and to Countries that conduct longline fishing on the high seas and in the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of other Countries. The IPOA-S is a voluntary measure that calls on Countries to:

1. assess the degree of seabird bycatch in their longline fisheries
2. develop individual national plans of action to reduce seabird bycatch in longline fisheries that have a seabird bycatch problem
3. develop a course of future research and action to reduce seabird bycatch

The NPOA-S is to be implemented consistent with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and all applicable rules of international law, and in conjunction with relevant international organizations.