Information on seabird bycatch remains relatively sparse and is becoming increasingly dated. ICES advises on fisheries where bycatch is either
known to happen or likely to pose a risk to seabird populations. Priority should be given to monitoring in trammelnets and set gillnets in the Baltic, North Sea, and North Atlantic, and in set long-line fisheries in the Atlantic and Mediterranean/Black Sea.
The advice includes a description of an assessment framework, including metrics and criteria to define if a seabird bycatch problem exists. In addition, a standard data reporting format for recording seabird bycatch is under development and ICES is developing a database for marine mammal bycatch which will also include data on seabirds.
The advice was issued in response to the request from the European Commission (EC).