Conference room 206B
Improving access to on-demand fishing gear through gear libraries
10:00am Panel held by International Funds for Animal Welfare (IFAW) hosted by SFP
Increased availability and adoption of on-demand fishing gear will significantly reduce the threat of deadly entanglements to right whales. However, high costs keep gear out of reach of individual lobster and crab harvesters facing closures. In the last few years, on-demand gear libraries in the United States and in Canada have helped to alleviate the financial burden while also training fishermen on how to use the gear, collecting data for scientists working to reduce entanglements, and helping manufacturers improve gear efficacy. This session will provide an update on the on-demand gear lending efforts and results to date, and showcase the coalition of public and private sector organizations and individuals supporting the efforts through gear donations, scientific expertise, and research.
Supporting the transition to seabird-safe tina fishing
11:30am Panel held by Southern Seabirds Trust hosted by SFP
Blue 837 is a male Antipodean albatross. He has been returning from the sea to his breeding ground and waiting for his mate each summer for the last seventeen years. But she never returns. He is not unique – the colony of Antipodean albatrosses has many birds waiting for their dead mates. The future of this population, and many other seabird species, is dependent on the tuna longline industry making some practical on-vessel changes. The good news is that solutions exist, and populations can recover quickly. This panel will tell the story of the organizations, including tuna companies, environmental NGOs and governments that are working together to help tuna companies transition to seabird-safe fishing. Join us to learn more about how you can help accelerate the uptake of seabird-safe fishing practices.