An assessment** in terms of the FAO International Plan of Action – Seabirds for three fisheries conducted in FAO Subareas 48.3 and 48.4 in the South Atlantic is now available. Go to www.sgisland.gs and look for the news section or go straight to "Environment Documents" at http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28g%29Environment_Documents?useskin=gov.
The three fisheries covered are Patagonian Toothfish longline, Mackerel Icefish trawl and Krill trawl. The report concludes that NPOA-Seabirds are not required for any of these fisheries. It notes that in the longline fishery (which is Marine Stewardship Council-certified; www.msc.org) bird bycatch has been reduced to zero, has been greatly reduced in the icefish fishery and has not been recently reported in the krill fishery.
**Varty, N., Sullivan, B.J. & Black, A.D. 2008. FAO International Plan of Action-Seabirds: an assessment for fisheries operating in South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. BirdLife International Seabird Programme. Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. 96 pp.
John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer
Posted 11 May 2008