Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:3:p22
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 22/26)
Character Range: 129163–132250

food resources.
No albatross or petrel species within the recovery plan is presently identified as being at risk from competition with fisheries for food resources. It is difficult to determine the level (and the effects) of competition for food resources between seabird populations and fisheries (Hedd & Gales 2001) mainly because baseline data are often limited or unavailable. However, taking into account the needs of associated and dependent species is consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. Exercising a precautionary approach with regard to the impact of fishing activities is needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the marine environment.

Dependence on fisheries discards
Threats from reliance on fisheries discards.

Discards from fishing operations can alter ecosystem functions (Fondo et al. 2015). Seabirds opportunistically feed on easily available food items either discarded during commercial fishing operations or offered by tourist operators to enable tourists a better viewing opportunity. These resources, however, can affect community structures, population dynamics and the fitness of individuals (Oro et al. 2013), and may alter the manner in which seabirds use the seascape (Bartumeus et al. 2010). This is particularly the case for scavenging seabirds.
Some seabird species have become dependent upon the offal discarded from fishing vessels during operations and/or processing at sea. They scavenge dead prey and fishery discards and bait (Croxall & Prince 1994). The disposal of offal encourages albatrosses and petrels to follow fishing vessels, significantly increasing their likelihood of becoming injured or killed during fishing operations by direct interactions with fishing gear. As well, some populations have become habituated to the regular food source and appear to have altered their foraging ranges and dynamics accordingly (Ryan & Moloney 1988, Adams 1992, Blaber et al. 1998, Weimerskirch 1998, Sagar et al. 1999).
Discards are a key food resource for many seabird species (Votier et al. 2004). Black-browed Albatross foraging over the Patagonian Shelf during the non-breeding season appear to exploit fishery discards, particularly of trawlers (Mariano-Jelicich et al. 2014). The additional food obtained from commercial fishing operations may positively influence breeding success and, hence, population sizes in some seabird species (for example, Blaber et al. 1998).
Bans on discards have been introduced in various fisheries worldwide to eliminate the waste of marine resources and encourage more selective fishing (for example, Condie et al. 2014). However, cessation of discarding may have negative effects on seabird populations, at least in the short-term (Baker et al. 2002). For example, in the North Sea, discard bans, particularly when coupled with reduced availability of small shoaling pelagic fish, can result in an increase in predation by Great Skua (Catharacta skua) on other birds (Votier et al. 2004). Accordingly changes to discarding practices should be introduced gradually