The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has adopted a new national plan to reduce seabird deaths linked to fishing operations between 2026 and 2030.
The National Plan of Action II for the Conservation and Management of Seabirds in South African Fisheries (NPOA Seabirds II) builds on the first plan introduced in 2008 and strengthens the approach to monitoring, reporting and reducing incidental seabird mortality.
The updated plan draws on survey data, fisheries observer records, seabird strandings and tracking studies to identify where interactions between fishing activities and seabirds require targeted intervention.
It also consolidates current information on the conservation status of seabird species occurring in local waters, together with legislation, policies and available measures for managing interactions between fisheries and seabirds.
The plan sets an objective of working towards “zero impact on the sustainability of seabird populations by South African fisheries”.
A key focus will be reducing incidental seabird mortality, or bycatch, across fishing methods including longline, trawl, purse seine, pole and line, and gillnets.
Mitigation measures will be tailored according to available evidence about individual fisheries, vessel classes and the risks faced by different seabird species.
Collaboration between government, the fishing industry, conservation organisations and researchers will form a central part of implementation.
DFFE Oceans and Coasts and fisheries managers will work with industry, BirdLife South Africa, the Albatross Task Force, academic institutions and provincial conservation agencies to develop and test mitigation measures.
The partnership will also provide training for skippers and fisheries observers and support the sharing of monitoring information through common data platforms.
Joint funding mechanisms and shared governance arrangements are included in the plan, allowing interventions to be adjusted as new evidence and operational experience become available.
The approach is designed to reduce seabird mortality while maintaining sustainable and productive fisheries and supporting livelihoods in coastal communities.
Capacity building and targeted public awareness initiatives will also form part of the programme, alongside alignment with international agreements and established conservation practices.
An ongoing review process will allow new research, monitoring results and operational feedback to be incorporated throughout the 2026–2030 implementation period.
NPOA Seabirds II provides an updated framework for government, industry, conservation organisations and researchers to coordinate efforts to reduce seabird bycatch while maintaining sustainable fisheries.
