Seabird by-catch in the Patagonian toothfish longline fishery at the Prince Edward Islands: 2000–2001

Seabird by-catch is summarised for the period July 2000-June 2001 for sanctioned longline fishing for Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides in South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone around the Prince Edward Islands. There was a slight increase in the number of fishing trips and hooks set in 1999/2000. The number of seabirds killed dropped dramatically from 268 in 1999/2000 to 76 in 2000/2001. White-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis accounted for 85.5% of the six species killed.