Mortality in commercial fisheries is a global threat to some seabird populations, especially albatrosses. Much of the efforts on seabird-fisheries interactions in the North Pacific is motivated by conservation concerns about the Endangered short-tailed albatross.

Fortunately, there are solutions to minimize the impact of commercial fisheries on seabirds. The Seabird Oceanography Lab has applied a number of approaches to researching seabird-fisheries interactions since the lab was initiated in 2007. These include: using seabird tracking data to understand large-scale overlap between seabirds, marine mammals and fisheries; developing a fine-scale behavioral understanding of under what conditions albatrosses will approach boats; pioneering the use of specialized biologging tags; and developing engaged partnerships for research and development with long-line fleets on the U.S. West Coast and Alaska.   

Through all of these efforts we hope to lessen negative interactions between seabirds and fisheries by reducing seabird bycatch and thus limiting bait loss for fishers. In this way, we can not only help conserve threatened seabird populations but also potentially increase targeted fish catch-per-unit-effort.  

Novel Biologging Sensors

Fine-Scale Behavioral Interactions

Engaged Research