UK bycatch monitoring programme report for 2019

Dedicated protected species bycatch sampling was carried out by fishery observers during 215 monitored sea days in a variety of net, pelagic trawl, longline and ring net fisheries during 2019. Sampling levels during 2019 were below normal levels due to observer staffing issues. Sixteen marine mammal bycatches were recorded during 2019: one harbour porpoise, six common dolphins and nine grey seals. Those data were added to a long-term monitoring dataset which is maintained under the UK Bycatch Monitoring Programme. The time-series monitoring data are used, along with fishing effort data from 2019, to produce bycatch mortality estimates for harbour porpoise, common dolphin and seals using a multi-annual ratio-based approach. The point estimate for harbour porpoise bycatch in 2019, assuming full compliance by the relevant over 12m netting fleet with the ADD requirements of Regulations 812/2004 and 2019/1241, was 833 animals (95% CL range 502-1560), and the point estimate, assuming no ADD use, was 1061 animals (95% CL range 599-1922). The point estimate for common dolphin bycatch in 2019 is 278 (95% CL range 165-662). The point estimate for seal bycatch in 2019 is 488 (95% CL range 375-872). These mortality estimates include several assumptions and important caveats that are described and discussed in the report and annexes. Recorded bycatch of other protected or sensitive species/taxa during 2019 included 101 seabirds and 360 individual fish/elasmobranchs of conservation interest. Mortality estimates are not yet produced routinely for non-mammal taxa. Official UK fishing effort statistics show that two broad gear groups, pots and demersal trawl/seine make up about 75% of total UK fishing effort in terms of days at sea. Dredges, lines and nets make up a further 23% and the remaining 2% is accounted for by a mix of hand gathering, pelagic trawls, purse seines/ring nets and miscellaneous gears. Official fishing effort statistics indicate that during 2019 eighteen UK registered vessels over 12m worked in areas where the use of ADDs is currently required. Sixteen vessels worked in relevant ICES Divisions within Subarea 7 and four vessels worked in Subarea 4. Two vessels worked in both Subareas. Activities relating to fishing vessel compliance with the ADD requirements of EC Regulation 812/2004 and Regulation 2019/1241 were carried out in UK waters by the Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland during thirteen at-sea inspections of UK and non-UK vessels in 2019. One infringement was detected relating to insufficient number of ADDs onboard and a verbal warning was issued to the vessel master.