Challenges in seabird bycatch mitigation

FAVERO M & JP SECO PON

ANIMAL CONSERVATION

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2014 vol. 17 p. 532 - 533

1367-9430

Among a number of at-sea and land-based threats affecting the conservation status of seabirds, the incidental mortality in fisheries is the most pervasive, particularly affecting species like albatrosses and petrels characterized by very low productivity (one egg clutch and low breeding frequency) and reproductive rate (delayed maturity and long generation time). These life-history traits make this group of seabirds particularly sensitive to even minor increases in juvenile and adult mortality like the one resulting from the interaction with fisheries. Albatross and a large number of petrel species show extreme travelling capabilities, crossing boundaries and feeding in a range of marine environments in relatively short time scales. Hence, cooperation at the international level is essential to improve the conservation status of these threatened species, some of which are endangered or critically endangered with extinction (see Croxall et al., 2012, http://www.acap.aq).