Seabird mortality in the artisanal Argentinean hake longline fishery

PATRICIA GANDINI; FABIAN RABUFFETTI; RAUL GONZÁLEZ; DIEGO GONZÁLEZ ZEVALLOS

Montevideo, Uruguay

Congreso; Third International Albatross and Petrel Conference, IAPC; 2004

    During the mid 90´s in San Matías gulf, northern Patagonia (Río Negro province) a specific longline fishery was developed under provincial jurisdiction whose target species is Argentine Hake. The quality of the fish caught encouraged the Province to develop this fishery in contrast to the hake obtained by trawling. The fishery started in 1996 with few artisanal vessels (lower than 10 m) but in the end of 1998 an important number of artisanal and industrial (20-35 m) vessels were incorporated. From 2000 to 2001 the international prices lowered and the activity slowed down, so from 1999 to 2002 the fleet was practically inactive. However, the economic conditions in present days are stimulating again this fishing activity. The fishery at San Matías gulf, target Argentine Hake and the total effort is estimated at present between 9 and 10 millions of hooks per year. Data were collected by observers who were trained for seabird identification and mortality assessment. A laminated card specifically designed was distributed among crew members and observers, who also sampled seabirds attending the vicinity of ships and counts were made from the bridge. Eleven seabird species and two marine mammals were  observed following vessels (N = 67), Black-browed albatross, White-chinned petrels, Great shearwater, Little shearwater, Sooty shearwater, Skuas, Kelp Gulls, Magellanic Penguins, South American Terns, Royal Tern, Imperial Cormorants, Dusky dolphin and South American Sealion. No mortality was registered during survey despite several successful and unsuccessful stealing of baits was observed and no mitigation measures are being used.