Accounting for Yearly Variation in Albatross Bycatch in the Deep-Set Hawaii Pelagic Longline Fishery

Incidental catch of protected seabirds is a major issue in commercial fisheries across the world.  Because the scope of interactions between fisheries and seabirds may directly influence fisheries management measures such as fishing limits, seasons, etc., it is important to recognize what factors influence variation in seabird bycatch,.  The Hawaii pelagic deep-set longline fishery has interactions (hookings and/or entanglements) with two and potentially three species of protected albatross (black-footed, Laysan, short-tailed).  To monitor these interactions, fisheries observers are placed (randomly) aboard 20% of deep-set longline trips based out of Hawaii.  These observers record catch of all target and bycatch species, while also recording sightings of seabirds and protected species.  Since mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch were first introduced in the fishery in 2003, yearly variation in dead albatross that were observed captured has ranged from 6 (0.001 albatross/1000 hooks set --2004) to 55 (0.007/1000hks --2010).  Several factors may potentially influence this inter-annual discrepancy.  Observer data is being utilized to parse out causes of potential variance.  Factors including fishing location, fishing effort, mitigation effort, reported albatross populations, number of seabirds sighted during fishing effort, and observer effort are being examined to determine how each impacts bycatch of albatross in the fishery.  By determining factors that trigger increased seabird bycatch, strategies can be implemented to further reduce the impact of fisheries on albatross populations.  The success of observer data in revealing patterns in protected species encounters has been paramount in reducing seabird bycatch, and may be utilized to further reduce these interactions.