Seal mitigation measures on trawl vessels fishing for krill
in CCAMLR Subarea 48.3

At WG-EMM in Siena, 2004, the UK reported on the bycatch of fur seals in the krill fishery around South Georgia, and on mitigation methods that were being developed and deployed to avoid fur seal deaths in the fishery. WG-EMM requested the UK to provide further details of the methods employed for consideration of IMAF. Observers recorded mitigation measures for fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) entanglements on krill vessels fishing around South Georgia in the 2004 fishing season. The measures implemented were based on 4 themes: Physical barrier, barrier plus escape hatch, manufactured seal exclusion devices and gear configuration. Those vessels initially without mitigation measures were able to introduce them without further cost and minimal disruption to fishing activity.