A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STREAMER LINES AS A SEABIRD BY-CATCH MITIGATION TECHNIQUE IN LONGLINE FISHERIES AND CCAMLR STREAMER LINE REQUIREMENTS

Based to a large degree on the precedent set by CCAMLR in 1991, the streamer line has become the primary, and most commonly prescribed, seabird mitigation device in world longline fi sheries. This paper reviews CCAMLR streamer line requirements (Conservation Measure 25-02 (2002), formerly Conservation Measure 29/XIX) in light of a review of existing literature and available data on the effectiveness of single and paired (or multiple) streamer lines. Research to determine the optimal streamer line design and confi guration is lacking and is identifi ed as a high priority. Future streamer line research should compare the attack or dive rate of multiple southern hemisphere seabird species or foraging guilds as a function of distance astern in response to single and multiple streamer lines deployed according to specifi c performance and material standards. Improvements to streamer line requirements set out in Conservation Measure 25-02 are discussed and proposed relative to recent Alaskan requirements. Proposed changes include: requiring that the streamer line be deployed over the hookline within 100 m of the stern; increasing the height of th