SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE THIRD REGULAR SESSION 13-24 August 2007 Honolulu, United States of America RECORDING SEABIRD BYCATCH IN LONGLINE OBSERVER PROGRAMS WCPFC-SC3-EB SWG/WP-6

This paper discusses best practice for collecting seabird bycatch data in pelagic longline observer programs. The paper recognizes that key challenges for WCPFC include: • The levels of observer coverage needed for recording and monitoring bycatch of non-target species such as seabirds, which typically have high variability in CPUE • The need to divide observer time between a range of tasks • The standardization of data collection across existing programs, and establishing a protocol with a sufficient level of detail to ensure consistency • The importance of high quality observer training in relation to recording bycatch data Recommendations are: • Effective monitoring of bycatch rates of non-target species will require high observer coverage. These levels may have to be achieved progressively. Coefficients of variation of seabird CPUE should be regularly reviewed to assess the effectiveness of observer coverage in monitoring bycatch rates. • Specific time should be allocated for observers to spend observing hooks as they are hauled aboard. Sampling protocols should be made explicit. • Seabird bycatch rates must be reported based on hooks observed from the hauling deck itself • The protocol for recording seabird bycatch data should be specified in as much detail as possible, to ensure consistency. Crucial data to record are time/date of setting, a description of the configuration/ characteristics of gear, a detailed description of mitigation measures and their level of adoption, seabird identification, number of seabirds caught and status • It is highly desirable to collect seabird carcasses and return to port for identification. If this is not feasible then photographs of the upper and lower body and bill may be sufficient. • Currently, few seabird bycatch data are reported standardized by seabird abundance, but this would make comparisons between bycatch rates more meaningful. • The experience of BirdLife International is that high quality observer training, including the provision of targeted materials is crucial in order to obtain reliable bycatch data Introduction At-sea observer programs are accepted as the only reliable and accurate source of many of the data needed for fisheries management, including verification of fishing effort and CPUE data, and collection of data on discards and on interactions with non-target species.