9 May 2018

Seabirds are constantly in danger of coming into contact with fisheries as they circumnavigate the globe in search of food. Seabird bycatch, particularly of albatrosses and petrels, in fishing gear is a major threat, killing hundreds of thousands of birds each year. Longline fisheries, which accidentally hook the scavenging birds, continue to remain a challenge in terms of minimizing seabird bycatch. BirdLife International, through BirdLife South Africa, has been selected as the implementing partner for tackling this difficult problem under the seabird component of the Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project.

Group picture from inception workshop in Fiji ©BirdLife South Africa

Asian countries operating tuna longline vessels in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) have been identified as key target fleets for outreach on seabird bycatch issues under the Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project. China in particular has a fast-growing fleet with very little known or understood regarding their use of seabird bycatch mitigation measures. Initial engagements by BirdLife South Africa suggested that the fleet required additional support and assistance with implementing best practice measures within their high seas fleets.

A key lesson from our successful engagement with the South Korean southern Bluefin tuna fleet, shows that collaborative work demonstrating to vessel owners, captains and crew how seabird bycatch mitigation measures should be applied, results in action on the water and increased uptake of these measures. Following this success, a similar approach in order to engage with the expanding Chinese fleet operating out of Suva, Fiji was initiated. This pilot project, referred to as the Port-based Outreach pilot, is an awareness project, in which vessels are visited during their time in port. It is an extension of the port-based outreach work being conducted with all foreign-flagged vessels docking in Cape Town, South Africa. Through the use of translators, the fishers are shown videos, demonstrations and printed materials to increase their understanding of seabird bycatch and appropriate mitigation measures available to them.

Ross Wanless from BirdLife demonstrating a Tori line while giving a presentation ©BirdLife South Africa	Group activity among participants at the inception workshop ©BirdLife South Africa

An important aspect of buy-in in any process, is the engagement of key stakeholders from the onset. An inception workshop held in January 2018 brought together fisheries agents, environmental agencies, seabird bycatch experts, Fijian government representatives and vessel captains. The workshop provided an ideal opportunity for challenges and solutions to be brainstormed amongst the diverse group of participants. At first, participants seemed reserved and cautious as they quietly listened to the presentations explaining the background of the pilot that started off the session. This soon changed when they were asked to break into small groups and share their ideas on how this pilot could be successfully implemented and how the perceived challenges could be addressed. These discussions proved invaluable and paved the way for vessel visits to begin immediately.

James Nagan, the Port-based Outreach Officer in charge of implementing this pilot, is no stranger to the fishing industry in Fiji. Having held positions within the industry and local government, he has been a real asset to the project. Since the first visit to a Chinese vessel was done in mid-January, he has taken the project forward and excelled, providing outreach to over 50 vessels docking in Suva port. This is the first time we have been able to actively engage with this fleet and interact with captains and crew on Chinese vessels. We are hopeful that this will aid vessels in understanding the regulations in more detail and lead to an increased implementation of these seabird bycatch mitigation measures on the water.

More about the Port-based Outreach Pilot Project executed by BirdLife South Africa can be found here.

James Nagan, the Port-based Outreach Officer, and workshop participants aboard a vessel in Suva Port, Fiji ©BirdLife South Africa

The Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as the implementing agency. This Project harnesses the efforts of a large and diverse array of partners, including the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, governments, inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and private sector, to achieve responsible, efficient and sustainable tuna production and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ.

• Bronwyn Maree, Outreach and Compliance Coordinator, Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project | [email protected]