New Zealand is the ‘seabird capital’ of the world. Our waters and offshore islands are the breeding grounds for more albatross and petrel species than any other country. But, while they breed here, many of these birds live much of their lives elsewhere.

Wherever they go, these seabirds have learnt the easiest way to get food is to forage at the back of fishing vessels, where they risk becoming caught on baited hooks or entangled in fishing gear.

Such accidental death from fishing is the key threat to the survival of many of these ocean-going birds. If we don’t change the way we fish, many of these species will disappear. According to the IUCN Red List, 18 albatross species are classified vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

This issue’s ‘tipping’ point was reached in July 2002 at a workshop of industry, environmental and government interests in Nelson, New Zealand. It quickly became evident that all parties wanted the same outcome – the widespread use of responsible fishing practices.

The group named itself Southern Seabird Solutions and members committed themselves to developing cooperative international projects as well as continuing to improve our own standards within New Zealand.

Southern Seabird Solutions Trust is an innovative alliance that includes representatives from the fishing industry, government, Maori organisations and environmental groups that supports and encourages fishers in southern ocean fleets to adopt responsible fishing practices.

Our scope extends beyond New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone because seabirds that breed in New Zealand territory are global travellers, roaming the oceans as far afield as Southern Africa, Australia, Japan, and North and South America.

We believe that fishermen themselves hold the key to solving the issue of seabird injuries and deaths during fishing. Our projects aim to educate, support and encourage fishermen to take ownership of this problem and find solutions.

We use role models among fishermen to champion new ideas and behaviours. We promote good fishing practices by providing publicity and recognition to individuals and companies who are taking positive action.

Because of the multinational lifestyle of many seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels, a coordinated effort between countries is essential to safeguard their future.

Southern Seabird Solutions works alongside governments, agencies and individuals around the world to spread the ‘seabird smart’ word.

Southern Seabirds Soultions’ ultimate goal is that all fishing vessels in the southern hemisphere use fishing practices that avoid the accident capture of seabirds. 

A number of different steps are being taken towards that goal, to help bridge the gap between the current situation and where we want to be.

Our five-year strategy describes what we want to achieve by 2010:

• A lasting culture of mitigating the effects of fishing on seabirds is established in all fisheries throughout the southern hemisphere.

• Organisations made up of different stakeholder groups and with similar goals to Southern Seabird Solutions are established in all southern hemisphere fishing areas.  Regional Fisheries Management Organisations also adopt and implement similar goals.

• Information and advice about effective mitigation techniques is shared within each fleet fishing in the southern hemisphere.

• Effective mitigation measures and minimum mitigation standards are in place for each type of fishing method and practice used within the southern hemisphere that is known to incidentally catch seabirds.