PROGRESS REPORT (2008-2009) ON THE ACTION PLAN AIMED AT REDUCING SEABIRD BY-CATCH IN THE FRENCH EEZs IN STATISTICAL DIVISION 58.5.1 AND SUBAREA 58.6

During CCAMLR-XXVII, France presented its action plan aimed at reducing considerably seabird by-catches by longliners operating in the Crozet and Kerguelen EEZs. The plan’s objective was to list the set of measures that France is implementing and will implement in the next few years to limit bird mortality. The aim of this paper is to provide a progress report on the resources employed by France since the initiation of the plan to limit bird mortality, and to present a brief report on by-catches for the period September 2008–August 2009. Furthermore, this paper has been written in response to a recommendation made to France during CCAMLR-XXVII to “urgently submit a strategic plan to eliminate seabird mortality” (SC-CAMLR-XXVI, paragraph 5.6 (vii) [sic]).