National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries.

The principle of the National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (NPOA) is that each South African longline and trawl fishery has in place a set of prescribed mitigation measures aimed at reducing seabird. These measures will be reviewed at regular intervals, both in terms of their efficacy and of research and developments in mitigation methods on a global scale. Mitigation methods included in permit conditions should describe the method clearly and concisely. The Plan stipulates that fisheries regulations should be defined by gear configuration and fishing operation rather than by the desired outcome. Further actions are foreseen in the field of research and training; education, training and publicity; data collection.
Regarding research and development, following the FAO’s IPOA-Seabirds, South Africa should undertake research and development on the issue of seabird mortality in longline and trawl fisheries to: (i) develop practical and effective deterrent devices; (ii) improve technologies and practices to reduce incidental capture of seabirds; (iii) evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
Concerning education, training and publicity, the following activities should be undertaken at regular intervals: (i) training of fisheries observers in seabird identification and the use of mitigation measures; (ii) training of fishers on an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries management and in particular the use of mitigation measures required in fishing permits; (iii) training of compliance staff in seabird identification, mitigation measures and enforcement; (iv) distribution of seabird identification and mitigation booklets to observers, skippers and compliance staff. Measures on collection of data on seabird mortality and collection on fishing data are outlined as well.