The Scottish Seabird Centre calls for urgent action to address concerns over seabird bycatch.

Scottish Seabird Centre calls for action to prevent seabird deaths from fishing bycatch

Marine conservation and education charity the Scottish Seabird Centre has this week called for the Scottish Government to take action to address concerns over seabird bycatch. This is when seabirds are killed after being unintentionally caught on hooks or entangled in lines and nets.

Responding to a consultation on the Scottish Government’s proposed “Future Catching Policy”, the Scottish Seabird Centre has called for the new rules for the fishing sector to prioritise improvements that would reduce and monitor seabird bycatch. It’s thought that this could prevent thousands of seabird deaths each year.

Fanny Royanez, Policy and Campaigns Officer at the Scottish Seabird Centre said:

“Scotland is globally important for seabirds, and the sight and sound of them around our coast brings great joy to so many, but with most species in decline action is needed to restore populations and ensure future generations can enjoy them too.”

“Seabird bycatch is internationally recognised as a major issue for seabirds and marine wildlife, and the Scottish and UK Governments are legally committed to addressing it. Yet even the basic actions such as mandatory reporting of bycatch are not yet in place. With the Scottish Government putting in place new rules for fisheries, now is the time to take action.”

“We are calling for seabird bycatch to be properly reported on and monitored, and for minimum standards to be put in place to help reduce and ultimately eliminate these unnecessary deaths. There are tried and tested techniques like attaching bird scarer lines to longlines that we know are effective and should be rolled out.”

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