Purse Seine

Indian Ocean

Purse seines are large nets used to encircle and trap large schools of fish. In addition to the target fish, these nets also trap all other encircled animals including ETP species. Purse seines can reach over 200 m deep and be over 2,000 m long.

Target Species

Tuna

Bycatch Species

Marine Mammals

Seabirds

Sharks and Rays

Solutions

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Gears and Best Practices

Non-Entangling Biodegradable FAD

Fish aggregation devices (FADs) are structures that attract target fish, normally tuna, which the are used to increase fishing efficiency. Nets and ropes that attach to the main structure and hang in the water often entangle non-target species such as sea turtles, seabirds, and sharks that are also attracted to the FAD.

Fishery Type

Purse Seine

Ocean Region

Indian Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, Northern Atlantic Ocean

Target Species

Tuna

Bycatch Species

Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, Sharks and Rays

Gears and Best Practices

Non-Dolphin/Whale Shark Sets

Dolphins/porpoises and whale sharks are often found with target fish in the open ocean, and were often used as an indication of where to set purse seine nets. This led to large bycatch rates for both in historical purse seine fisheries leading to very high mortality rates.

Fishery Type

Purse Seine

Ocean Region

Indian Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, Northern Atlantic Ocean

Target Species

Tuna

Bycatch Species

Marine Mammals, Sharks and Rays

Gears and Best Practices

Backdown Method

The backdown method is conducted after setting the purse seine net but before finishing the haul. This process creates a channel and an opening at the back of the net where non-target species (especially small cetaceans and sea turtles) can escape at the surface.

Fishery Type

Purse Seine

Ocean Region

Indian Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, Northern Atlantic Ocean

Target Species

Salmon, Tuna

Bycatch Species

Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, Sharks and Rays

Funding Opportunities

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Fisheries

Purse Seine

Species Impacted

Seabirds

Target Species

Anchovy, Sardines

Description

Chilean purse-seine fisheries are comprised of around 500 “artisanal” vessels (<18m in length). Historically, high bycatch rates of Pink-footed shearwater were observed in the area (>1,500), an Endangered in Chile. A modified version of the purse seine (MPS) has been developed through a collaboration between the fishing industry, BirdLife, and net makers, and has shown significant reduction of Pink-footed shearwater and Black-browed albatross bycatch.

In the MPS, sections of the net with high seabird entanglement rates need to be modified. This includes a novel buoy mounting method, adjusting the mesh size, and removing excessive netting material. Following these modifications, trials not only showed a 98% reduction in diving seabird bycatch but had no impact on target fish catch and even helped saving costs in net materials. This innovation was recognized as one of the best environmental initiatives in Latin America in 2017 (Premios Latinoamérica Verde).

This project will benefit artisanal fishermen that sell to Blumar Seafood in central Chile. Out of the total 25 purse-seiners managed by Blumar Seafood, 5 vessels have already gone through gear modification thanks to a project lead by BirdLife International and supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This project will upgrade 5 additional purse-seiners targeting sardine and anchovy to continue efforts toward a total transformation of the artisanal fleet in south-central Chile with Modified Purse Seines (MPS).

In addition to the development of the MPS, this funding will support training workshops for captain and crew members, to provide expertise on the structural modification of the fishing gear and on the minimum standards and maintenance of modifications to secure best bycatch mitigation practices in this fishery.

This project also includes a committed matching contribution of $95,563 USD combined from Birdlife International and Blumar Seafood.

Contact the Bycatch Hub Manager for more specifics on the project workplan and a line-item budget.

Beneficiary: Birdlife International

5 Modified Purse Seines - Funded $69,579 USD
5 Modified Purse Seines - Funded $30,000 USD

The Problem

The modern fishery deploys fish aggregating devices to increase fishing efficiency, though they also aggregate ETP species that can become entangled directly in the FAD or caught in the net. With proper handling, most ETP bycatch can be released alive.