New seabird rule ready for West Coast Sablefish longliners
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Associated Press Newswires] by Jeff Barnard September 10, 2014
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Federal fisheries managers have proposed a new rule requiring West Coast commercial fishermen who unroll long lines of baited hooks on the ocean bottom also put out long lines of fluttering plastic to scare off seabirds trying to steal the bait.
The proposed rule published Tuesday in the Federal Register is designed to protect the endangered short-tailed albatross, which once numbered in the millions but is down to about 1,200 individuals.
The West Coast is the last piece of U. S. waters within the range of the short-tailed albatross to adopt the protective measures, which are already in effect for waters off Alaska and Hawaii, said Rob Suryan, a research associate professor of fisheries at Oregon State University.
The public has 30 days to comment on the proposed rule, which is expected to take effect in November.
The protective measures are known as streamer lines, which are towed in the water from a high point on the boat. Brightly colored tubing hanging from the lines flutters, scaring off the birds.
The new rule affects about 270 fishing boats using longlines to target primarily sablefish
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