Sustainable fisheries: reducing seabird bycatch

We research and implement mitigation measures to reduce threats from bycatch, the leading cause of seabird deaths around the globe, while helping to improve the sustainability of fisheries. We create awareness of the problem, generate space for dialogue, and search for solutions with a wide variety of stakeholders. We work to bring together governments, businesspeople, fishers, consumers and scientists to protect marine wildlife and the future sustainability of fisheries that many communities rely on. Governments, businesspeople, fishers, consumers and scientists must all work together to protect these important indicators of ocean health.

Vision

• Create the National Seabird Conservation Plan for Chile, which will allow for the creation of national policies to reduce the threats to seabirds and other impacted species
• Create a national response network for strandings in order to study the causes of death and determine the effects on seabird populations
• Continue raising awareness on the importance of seabirds for the balance of ecosystems
• Support the creation of markets for local seafood that supports communities, maintains sustainable fishery stocks, and reduces bycatch
• Continue studying the different fisheries to identify gear and behavior solutions to reduce impacts to seabirds and other marine predators

Partners and Funders:

Subsecretaría de Pesca y Acuicultura (SUBPESCA), Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (SERNAPESCA), Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (MMA), Asociación de Médicos Veterinarios de Fauna Silvestre de Chile (AMEVEFAS), Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP), Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), and the Chilean Embassy in New Zealand.