Increased longline bait predation by northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) around the Faroe Islands during the breeding season

Susanne Kühn, Jan Andries van Franeker, Jens-Kjeld Jensen, Bergur Olsen, Jóhannis Danielsen, Simonsen Poul Johannes

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Abstract

Seabird bycatch is common in longline fisheries and detrimental to some seabird populations. Simultaneously, the loss of longline
bait to seabirds may pose a considerable economic loss to fishermen. Here, we study northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), bycaught
in longline fisheries close to the Faroe Islands between 2004 and 2021. Biological data on age and sex and the quantity of bait in the
stomachs was assessed. Males were over-represented in the bycatch sample, as were adult birds, likely caused by sex- and age-specific
foraging segregation. Overall, 71% of 820 fulmars contained bait, on average 2 items per bird (range: 0–17 items). No difference in the
average number of bait items was detected between males and females or between adult and non-adult birds. During the breeding
season, however, adults contained significantly more bait in their stomach than outside the breeding season. No such effect was found
for non-adult birds. Together with a lower body condition during the breeding season, this may indicate higher food requirements by
breeding birds, potentially increasing entanglement risks. Regular loss of bait reduces fishing efficiency, likely resulting in economic
loss. Reducing seabird bycatch may therefore benefit fishermen as well as seabird populations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages20
JournalICES Journal of Marine Science
Volume2024
Issue number0
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

Keywords

  • Fulmarus glacialis
  • seabird-fishery interaction
  • bycatch
  • demersal longline fisheries
  • entanglement
  • plastic monitoring
  • seabird conservation

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