Dear marmamers,
On behalf of my co-authors, I am very proud to announce the publication of our
work: "Implementation of exclusion devices to mitigate seal (Arctocephalus
australis, Otaria flavescens) incidental mortalities during bottom-trawling in
the Falkland Islands (Southwest Atlantic)".
The paper and supplemental videos can be downloaded from:
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1aeAlbiU1p2xy
ABSTRACT:
In the Falkland Islands, the South American fur seal and South American sea
lion spatially overlap and interact with bottom-trawling fisheries. Until 2015,
interactions of these species with the Patagonian bottom trawl squid fishery
were uncommon. During the second fishing season 2017 a dramatic increase in
seal interactions was observed, with a corresponding increase in incidental
mortalities. Various mitigation measures were applied, seal exclusion devices
(SEDs) fitted inside a net extension inserted between the trawl net and cod-end
being the most efficient. The SEDs became mandatory in the fishery in September
2017. Since then, the number of seal mortalities remains negligible. SED
efficiency is monitored by 100% observer coverage. To the best of our
knowledge, the Falkland Islands Patagonian squid fishery is currently the only
trawl fishery in the Southwest Atlantic with full observer coverage and SED
usage. It is hoped in the near future similar mitigation measures extend to
other coastal countries whose fisheries also interact with these otariids.
Verónica Iriarte, MSc.
Scientific Officer (Seabirds & Marine Mammals)
Falkland Islands Fisheries Department
Bypass Road, Stanley, FIQQ 1ZZ, Falkland Islands
Tel: +500 27260
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