Roadmap aims to reduce seabird mortality

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment adopts the National Plan of Action II for the Conservation and Management of Seabirds in South African Fisheries

SOUTH AFRICA: Calling for a cross-sector approach to address incidental seabird mortality across the country’s fisheries, a new action plan proposes the development of joint funding mechanisms and common platforms to share monitoring data to enable transparent implementation of shared governance arrangements.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has adopted the National Plan of Action II for the Conservation and Management of Seabirds in South African Fisheries (NPOA Seabirds II), setting the country’s strategy for 2026–2030 to further reduce incidental seabird mortality and strengthen monitoring, reporting and adaptive management.

A defining feature is its formalised cross sector collaboration: DFFE Oceans and Coasts and fisheries managers will partner with industry, BirdLife South Africa, the Albatross Task Force, academic institutions and provincial conservation agencies to co design mitigation trials, deliver skipper and observer training, and share monitoring data via common platforms. Joint funding mechanisms and shared governance arrangements are established to enable transparent, adaptive implementation. This integrated approach is framed as a win–win: reducing seabird mortality while maintaining sustainable, productive fisheries and supporting coastal livelihoods.

NPOA Seabirds II builds on the 2008 plan using an evidence based approach informed by updated survey data, fisheries observer records, strandings and tracking studies. The plan consolidates current information on conservation status and the known interactions between South African fisheries and all seabird species occurring in South African waters and identifies priorities where targeted action is required.

It also serves as a compendium of up-to-date information on legislation and policy related to seabird-fisheries interactions and provides useful sector-specific information on current knowledge on interaction and mitigation. By aiming for “zero impact on the sustainability of seabird populations by South African fisheries,” the DFFE acknowledges that the target is highly ambitious but believes it is achievable.

The NPOA establishes clear, measurable objectives to reduce bycatch across gear types (longline, trawl, purse seine, pole and line and gillnets), working towards evidence based mitigation measures tailored by fishery and vessel class. NPOA Seabirds II explicitly incorporates updated, species level interaction data and conservation assessments to ensure mitigation is proportionate to risk.

The plan also includes capacity building and targeted public outreach, and alignment with international best practices and agreements. NPOA Seabirds II commits to an iterative review process to incorporate new evidence and operational feedback.

This plan reflects a science led, cooperative pathway to protect vulnerable seabird populations without compromising fishing operations. By sharing responsibility, resources and data, conservation and fisheries objectives are mutually strengthened.