Estimating seabird by-catch in CCAMLR longline fisheries

After many years of close to zero incidental seabird mortality in the longline fishery throughout the CCAMLR Convention Area, recent years have seen an increase in Subarea 48.3 and in Division 58.5.2. At the same time, concern has been expressed about the suitability of the method used to raise the observer data and to estimate total seabird mortality. Given the high profile of this issue in CCAMLR, there is a need for clarity in the data and methods used to report seabird mortality totals.