Press Release: Fisheries: Commission proposes action plan to protect seabirds

The European Commission has adopted an Action Plan to address the problem of incidental catches of seabirds in fishing gears.

Scientific evidence has shown that high numbers of seabird species including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, auks, sea ducks and divers are being caught in fishing gear every year. Measures taken so far to protect seabirds from being entangled in fishing gear have been ineffective. The new Action Plan sets up a management framework to minimise seabird bycatch to the lowest levels practically possible.

It focuses on long line and static net fisheries where seabird bycatch are known to be highest, although other gears such as trawls and purse seines are also covered by the plan. It entails a wide range of elements under 30 recommended actions that are a combination of binding and non-binding measures. The rules will apply to EU fishing vessels inside and outside EU waters as well as non-EU vessels operating in EU waters.