Interactions between longline vessels and seabirds in Kerguelen waters and a method to reduce seabird mortality

A longline fishery for Dissostichus eleginoides has recently developed in the vicinity of South Georgia and Kerguelen islands, two internationally important breeding areas for procellariiform birds. The number of hooked birds and a method to reduce mortality were investigated during 13 days of fishing activity in Kerguelen waters in February 1994. Between 100 and 600 seabirds were always observed behind the longline vessel during daytime. The main ship-following species were the white-chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis (67% of counts), giant petrels Macronectes spp. (8%) and the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans (11%), black-browed albatross D. melanophris (6%) and grey-headed albatross D. chrysostoma (2%). Only diving species were caught on the lines, ie. the white-chinned petrel (n = 36) and the grey-headed albatross (n = 2). Marked differences in the mortality rate were observed between day and night (1.00 versus 0.38 birds per 1000 hooks), and at night when the decklights were on or off (0.59 versus 0.15 birds per 1000 hooks). Dumping of homogenized offal during line settings greatly reduced incidental capture of seabirds, mainly because birds were more attracted by offal than by hooked baits. We therefore propose that the dumping of offal during line settings should be included in the regulations of the longline fishery for Dissostichus in order to minimize seabird mortality.