INFORMATION BULLETIN (98-108)                October 22, 1998
 Protected Resources Division                 
 907-586-7235
 NMFS REPORTS THE INCIDENTAL TAKE OF 2 SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSSES
          IN THE BSAI HOOK-AND-LINE GROUNDFISH FISHERY
                                
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) reports the
incidental take of 2 endangered short-tailed albatrosses in the
hook-and-line groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea/Aleutian
Islands (BSAI).  The first bird was taken on September 21, 1998
at 57 30'N, 173 57'W.  The bird had identifying leg bands from
its natal breeding colony in Japan.  It was 8 years old.  In a
separate incident, one short-tailed albatross was observed taken
on September 28, 1998 at 58 27'N, 175 16'W but the specimen was
not able to be retained.  Identification of the bird was
confirmed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) seabird
experts.  The confirmation was based upon the observer's
description of key characteristics that matched that of a
subadult short-tailed albatross to the exclusion of all other
species.  A second albatross was also taken on September 28 but
the species could not be confirmed (3 species of albatross occur
in the North Pacific).  Both vessels were using seabird avoidance
measures when the birds were hooked, according to Jim Balsiger,
Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The current world population of the endangered short-tailed
albatross is approximately 1000 individuals.  The short-tailed
albatross is protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and
under the law, an incidental take level of 4 birds is allowed
during the 2-year period of 1997 and 1998 for the BSAI and Gulf
of Alaska (GOA) hook-and-line groundfish fisheries.  If the
incidental take limit is exceeded during that time, any
operations causing such take must cease pending reinitiation of
consultation with the USFWS.
The NMFS Regional Office, NMFS Groundfish Observer Program, and
the USFWS Offices of Ecological Services and Migratory Bird
Management are actively coordinating efforts and communicating
with each other in response to these take incidents and are
complying to the fullest extent with ESA requirements to protect
this species. 
To assist in this coordinated effort, NMFS urges hook-and-line
vessel operators to use great caution when fishing in these areas
or when short-tailed albatross are sighted.  NMFS reminds
operators of all hook-and-line vessels in the BSAI and GOA that
they are required to employ multiple seabird avoidance measures:
   Baited hooks must sink as soon as they are put in the water. 
   this may best be achieved by weights applied to the
   groundline at frequent intervals.
   If offal is discharged while gear is being set or hauled, it
   must be done in a manner that distracts seabirds from baited
   hooks.  The discharge site must be either aft of the hauling
   station or on the opposite side of the vessel from the
   hauling station.
   Make every reasonable effort to ensure that birds brought on
   board alive are released alive and that whenever possible,
   hooks are removed without jeopardizing the life of the
   birds. 
   For vessels greater than or equal to 26 ft length overall,
   the vessel operator must also employ one or more of the
   following measures:
      Tow a streamer line or lines during deployment of gear
      to prevent birds from taking hooks;
      Tow a buoy, board, stick, or other device during
      deployment of gear at a distance appropriate to prevent
      birds from taking hooks;
      Deploy hooks underwater through a lining tube at a
      depth sufficient to prevent birds from settling on
      hooks during deployment of gear; or
      Deploy gear only during the hours specified at 50 CFR
      679.24(e)(3)(iv), i.e. night-setting, using only the
      minimum vessel's lights necessary for safety.
Towed avoidance devices seem to be most effective when they are
deployed directly over the hook-and-line gear and when they
extend far enough behind the stern of the vessel such that baited
hooks sink deep enough before they reach the end of the towed
device or the end of the streamer line and thus cannot be reached
by birds.
This information bulletin provides information about regulations
at 50 CFR Parts 679.24(e) and 679.42(b)(2).  See these cites for
the specific regulations.