Bycatch of sensitive species in commercial fisheries is a marine conservation issue of global concern. Seabirds, cetaceans and other taxonomic groups (such as sea turtles and sharks) are facing severe impacts on their populations due to this incidental capture in fishing gear. In Europe alone, 200,000 seabirds are captured every year in fishing gear. In the Mediterranean, a staggering 44,000 sea turtles are estimated to be killed each year. This undermines the environmental sustainability of the fishing sector which, at the same time, suffers economic losses while dealing with the release of unwanted captures and from damage to fishing gear.
Fortunately, in recent years, there has been significant efforts dedicated to research on this issue, benefitting from cooperation between the fishing sector, academics, civil society organisations and governmental authorities, to better understand the problem, assess its impacts, and investigate potential mitigation measures.
This event will bring together distinguished guests who will showcase innovative solutions for tackling bycatch of sensitive species. Join us for a panel discussion between the presenters to foster dialogue and to identify the necessary steps for a concerted and multi-taxa response to the global problem of bycatch.
Programme
Welcome session | SPEA & BirdLife Europe
Roundtable:
- Paolo Carpentieri | General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean and Black Sea
- Cristián G. Suazo | Albatross Task Force-Chile, BirdLife International
- Simone Niedermüller | WWF Mediterranean
- Pete Kibel | Fishtek Marine
- Lotte Kindt-Larsen | DTU-Aqua
Questions from the public
This event is organised within the framework of the United Nations Ocean Conference
Co-organisers
