The Albatross Task Force programme has been awarded a two-year research grant from the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund, one of 15 projects from around the world to receive this first-time grant!
The ATF will work in collaboration with the South African Hake Inshore trawl fleet to – Develop bespoke bird mitigation plans and measures adapted to small inshore trawl vessels, aimed at preventing seabird bycatch. It will also trial the use of electronic monitoring to collect seabird data – a first for South Africa!
This fleet’s vessels have structural and operational features making it difficult for them to implement the use of standard mitigation measures. This project will focus on tailoring broad concepts to practical on the ground measures that directly support this fleet become more ecologically sustainable.