Study

Fast sinking (integrated weight) longlines reduce mortality of white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) in demersal longline fisheries

  • Published source details Robertson G., McNeill M., Smith N., Wienecke B., Candy S. & Olivier F. (2006) Fast sinking (integrated weight) longlines reduce mortality of white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) in demersal longline fisheries. Biological Conservation, 132, 458-471.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Weight baits or lines to reduce longline bycatch of seabirds

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Weight baits or lines to reduce longline bycatch of seabirds

    A replicated, controlled and paired study using longlines in November 2002 and 2003 in New Zealand (Robertson et al. 2006), found that using ‘integrated weight’ longlines reduced mortality of white-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis by 94-99%, and of sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus by 61%, compared to unweighted lines (petrels: one and four birds on weighted lines vs. 81 and 43 in 2002 and 2003 respectively; shearwaters: 15 birds on weighted lines in 2003 vs. 38 on unweighted lines; a single shearwater was killed on an unweighted line in 2002). A total of 213 paired sets of lines were set, with integrated lines containing 50 g/m of lead. All lines were set under a single streamer line (see ‘Use streamer lines to reduce seabird bycatch on longlines’ for studies testing this intervention).

     

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