1. Ornis Committee, 05 October 2012 Brussels
EU Action Plan for Reducing Incidental Catches of Seabirds in fishing gears
Ornis Committee, 05 October 2012 Brussels

2. Background
Interactions between fisheries and seabirds are frequent and widespread leading to high levels of mortality
ICES estimates conservatively that the EU fishing fleet is responsible for the death of c.a. 200,000 seabirds annually
At least 60 of 346 species are known to be incidentally caught in fishing gears
49 species (25 in EU waters and 24 in non-EU waters) are classified as being of conservation concern either globally or at a local population level
Six species incidentally caught in fisheries in EU waters and 22 species in non-EU waters are of serious conservation concern and are IUCN listed as vulnerable or endangered

3. Reason for an Action Plan
Current management measures are contained in a wide range of fisheries and environmental legislation as well as a number of international Conventions and Agreements
They have been largely ineffective except in some isolated cases in external waters
To address this the EU has planned to adopt an EU plan Action
The EU-PoA is close to adoption

4. The EU-PoA
Provide a management framework to minimise seabird bycatch to as low levels
Aligned with objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) of moving towards ecosystem management
A voluntary instrument within the framework of EU fisheries and environmental legislation and international fishery legislation, Conventions and Agreements.
Contains a combination of binding and non-binding measures

5. Objective
“To minimise and, where possible, eliminate the incidental catches of seabirds, with priority action focussing on individuals belonging to at least 49 threatened seabird populations by EU vessels operating in EU and non-EU waters, as well as by non-EU vessels operating in EU waters. For other seabirds where the populations are stable but bycatch are at levels that are cause for concern, bycatch should be reduced as a first step towards bycatch elimination”.

6. Sub-Objectives
The PoA contains 30 separate actions under five headings.
Identifying and addressing weaknesses and incoherencies in current management measures (7 actions)
Data collection (6 actions)
Implementation of mitigation measures (8 actions)
Providing education and training to fishermen (5 actions)
Instigating research into effective mitigation measures (4 actions)

7. Key Actions Progress designation of the SPA network
Implement fisheries management measures to protect seabirds within SPAs, in other MPAs, as well as in IBAs
Review available bycatch data
Undertake more extensive monitoring of high-risk fisheries
Consider the feasibility of incorporating seabird monitoring into the new DCF
Implement proven mitigation measures in longline fisheries in the Gran Sol, Mediterranean and non-EU-waters

8. Key Actions
Propose the incorporation of relevant mitigation measures under the new technical measures framework being developed in the context of the reform.
Introduce regionally specific measures under Multiannual plans where appropriate and urgently required.
Provide sufficient resources through the EFF and EMFF for education and awareness raising measures as well as for pilot studies.
Instigate research through EU Funding Programmes such as LIFE, FP7)

9. Monitoring and Reporting
MS should report bi-annually to COM on
Level of bycatch observed
implementation and effectiveness of any mitigation measures introduced
COM will carry out an interim assessment on the basis of these reports
Report to Council and EP after the second of these reports (4 years)
Carry out a full review after 8 years of the PoA (around 2020)