Spatial assessment of albatrosses, commercial fisheries, and bycatch incidents on Canada’s Pacific coast

Fisheries bycatch mortality poses a primary threat to the majority of world’s 22 albatross species, 15 which are at risk extinction. Although quantitative estimates often unavailable due relative or total absence monitoring, spatial overlap between fisheries and albatrosses is used estimate extent interaction, proxy for exposure bycatch, inform avoidance mitigation actions. Using comprehensive records commercial demersal longline trap fishing survey information (black-footed Phoebastria nigripes , Laysan P. immutabilis short-tailed albatrus ), potential interaction was estimated in Canada’s Pacific coast waters examined across breeding non-breeding seasons. The distributions were found substantially overlap, with hotspots concentrated along continental shelf break. Trap reported 1 incident, suggesting that these responsible negligible mortalities. In contrast, >80% recorded incidents occurred within 10 km albatross-longline hotspot locations, providing evidence longline-albatross represent actual areas elevated risk. Indicative conservation concern, 60% sightings km, 93% 30 hotspots. By contributing knowledge regarding albatross-fisheries interactions, addition undertaking first evaluation on coast, this study represents step towards enhancing through mitigation.