Japan's National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries, March 2009.

Japan adopted an effective and practicable National Plan of Action NPOA-Seabirds in 2001 after analyzing the impact of Japanese longline fishing on seabirds objectively and scientifically, and taking into account the FAO International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-Seabirds) from the viewpoint to promote international cooperation toward reducing incidental catch of seabirds. In developing NPOA-Seabirds in 2001, Japan set a goal of action aiming to achieve full implementation of mitigation measures to reduce incidental catch of seabirds by 2015. In addition, whenever new mitigation measures were introduced by regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) for reducing incidental catch of seabirds, it promptly introduced those mitigation measures through the revisions of the ministry ordinance. As a result, all the mitigation measures agreed by respective RFMOs have been introduced in Japan.
In March 2009, Japan revised its National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries. The plan identifies several seabird species affected by longline fishing, including various albatrosses and shearwaters in both the Southern Hemisphere and the North Pacific. To mitigate the impact on these birds, Japan has implemented a series of measures. These include using streamer devices, setting lines at night, employing weighted branch lines, and using blue-dyed bait to make hooks less visible to seabirds.
Education and outreach, as well as research focusing on improving existing devices and developing new methods to reduce seabird bycatch, are key components of the plan. Data collection and monitoring on seabird bycatch and seabird ecology are performed to refine and improve the mitigation strategies.