National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds.

This National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds (NPOA-seabirds) provides guidelines for reducing incidental catch of seabirds to all Korean vessels which conduct longline fisheries in the waters under jurisdiction of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and the high seas, as well as Korean and foreign vessels which conduct longline fisheries in the EEZ of Korea.
Taking into account the IPOA-seabirds provided by FAO, the National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds (NPOA-seabirds) has been developed to enhance conservation and management measures on seabirds in terms of promoting international cooperation for reducing the mortality of seabirds. Basic policies for reducing incidental catch of seabirds include: i) For a seabird bycaught alive in the process of longline operation, fishers should make their best effort to remove the hook in a way as not to risk the bird's life and to release it alive. ii) Longliners, which operate in the waters under jurisdiction of RFMOs, should implement mitigation measures for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in accordance with resolutions of the competent RFMOs. iii) Longliners, which operate in the waters outside of jurisdiction of RFMOs, are also encouraged to voluntarily improve and implement appropriate mitigation measures for reducing bycatch of seabirds. iv) In implementing and improving the mitigation measures, it is advised to make considerations respecting extensive experience of fishers for long years, minimizing their economic burden and maximizing their safety.