National plan of action for reducing the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries : Plan d'action national visant à réduire la capture accidentelle d'oiseaux de mer par les palangriers

The Convention establishes the requirements for signatories to conserve and manage targeted and associated species within EEZ waters and to cooperate with other States in the conservation and management of living resources in the areas of the high seas. [...] Seeking to protect and provide for the preservation of migratory birds that traverse Canada and the United States, and recognizing that the conservation of these birds is a joint responsibility of the two countries, the Convention was adopted in 1916. [...] The National Seabird Bycatch Working Group was first established to oversee the preparation of the 2003 Status Report and Future Directions Towards the Development of a National Plan of Action for the Reduction of Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Domestic and Foreign Longline Fisheries in Canadian Waters. [...] Other factors to be considered in the review of the observer program are: • Level and frequency of training of both new and existing observers, as part of efforts to maintain and enhance information about seabird bycatch and adapt the program in a timely way as Canada's understanding of the issue grows; and • Program data standards, including ways of tracking details about the time of day, time of [...] The increased understanding of the spatial/temporal distribution and abundance of seabirds will enhance integrated approaches to the management of fisheries and will aid in the conservation of seabird populations.