6. DISCUSSION GROUPS

This agenda item was discussed by two groups: one group dealing with fisheries and the other one dealing with seabirds. The conclusion and recommendations of both groups were presented and adopted in plenary.

Fisheries Group

Priority issues for cooperation

From a fishery perspective, the following priority activities were identified:

1. Complete the assessment of the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries.
2. Review the situation of incidental catch of seabirds, country by country.
3. Assess and test different mitigation measures to avoid the incidental catch of seabirds.
4. Prepare a glossary of terms used in relation to the interaction of fisheries and seabirds.

These priority activities apply mainly to the following fisheries/regions/countries:

Pacific swordfish fisheries: Chile and Peru;

Pacific and Atlantic toothfish fisheries: Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Peru, Uruguay;

Pacific mahi-mahi (Coryphaena) fisheries: Ecuador/Peru; and

Atlantic tuna/swordfish/shark fisheries: Brazil, Uruguay.

Joint projects

The following ideas for joint projects were identified:

1. Training of observers.
2. Standardization of methodologies for observations and research.
3. Assessment and improvement of mitigation methods and devises.

Although these project ideas can be formulated and implemented at national level, they are conceived rather for regional cooperation.

Funding

The following funding sources were identified:

1. Governmental agencies. Mainly fisheries administration and fishery research.
2. International organizations (FAO, PNUMA and PNUD).
3. Non-governmental organizations (BirdLife International, WWF and WCS).
4. Private sector (fishing, oil and tourism companies, and banks).

Activities at country level

Apart from the priority activities and the project ideas identified, which should be carried out either at regional or at country level, the participants agreed that the most important activity to be developed at country level is the formulation of a draft National Plan of Action, which identifies main actions, participants, funding sources and deadlines to reduce the mortality of seabirds in longline fisheries.

Seabirds Group

Priority species

From the perspective of seabird conservation, the Group identified a list of species which should be accorded priority by country. The list of species was selected according to their level of bycatch or vulnerability to fishing gear if no information on bycatch is available, their level of conservation according to IUCN list, their relative abundance in the EEZs of concerned countries, species little known, and species which study require a regional approach. The list of species selected by country is shown in the Annex.

Joint projects

The following species/countries were identified for specific joint projects of cooperation:

South American Region:

1. Black-browed albatross and White-chinned petrel/All South American countries.

Pacific coast:

2. Waved albatros and Parkinsoni’s petrel/Ecuador, New Zealand and Peru.

3. Chatham albatros, Buller’s albatros and Salvin’s albatross/Chile, New Zealand and Peru.

Atlantic coast:

4. Tristan albatross, Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, Spectacled petrel and Great shearwater/Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, UK islands of Central Atlantic and Uruguay.

5. Wandering albatross, Black-browed albatross, White-chinned petrel/Argentina, Brazil, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia and Uruguay.

Atlantic and Pacific coasts:

6. Northern royal albatross and Southern royal albatross/Argentina, Chile and New Zealand.

7. Grey-headed albatross/Argentina and Chile.

Priority activities at country level

Assess the incident catch of seabirds in fisheries suspected of having problems, and which have not been yet studied.

Assess, implement and develop mitigation measures in fisheries showing incidental catch of seabirds.

Study the spatial and temporal distribution of seabirds, according priority to those considered with a critical state of conservation.

Estimate the abundance of seabirds within the Exclusive Economical Zone (EEZ) of each country.

Funding

The following funding sources were identified:

1. Governmental agencies,
2. Agreement for the Conservation of Albatroses and Petrels,
3. Non Governmental Organizations (BirdLife International, WWF and WCS) and
4. Private sector (fishing, oil and tourism companies, and banks).

Annex. List of seabirds