To catch black cod, halibut and other groundfish, some commercial fishing boats use longlines — miles of baited hooks set along the seafloor. But seabirds, including the endangered short-tailed albatross, can be injured or killed if they try to steal bait from the hooks as they are deployed. Between 2013 and 2018, hook-and-line fisheries were responsible for an estimated 1,188 seabird deaths on the U.S. West Coast, accounting for 50% to 63% of total seabird mortality from all fisheries, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In the North Pacific, fisheries bycatch is the leading cause of adult mortality for albatrosses. One proven solution is the streamer line — an overhead rope towed from a high point on the boat, with colorful plastic streamers that flap in the air. As the line trails over the baited hooks, the streamers deter birds from diving, giving the hooks time to sink out of reach.
This effort helps Oregon’s fishing industry stay both economically viable and environmentally responsible by making it easier for vessels to comply with federal regulations.
Starting in January 2020, new U.S. regulations required the use of streamer lines on certain vessels using longlines to catch groundfish off the West Coast. To help fishing crews comply, Oregon Sea Grant worked to distribute free streamer lines and provide education about their use — aiming to protect seabirds while supporting sustainable fishing practices.
With funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sea Grant purchased 90 sets of streamer lines, each valued at about $125. Amanda Gladics, Sea Grant Extension fisheries specialist and associate professor of practice, collaborated with marine suppliers and port authorities in Oregon, Washington and California to let fishing vessel operators know the equipment was available at no cost.
All 90 sets were claimed. Gladics also provided information to fishermen about how to avoid seabird bycatch and helped some crews install the streamer lines on their vessels. Based on research from Alaska — where streamer lines have been mandatory since 2004 — Gladics estimates the 90 sets distributed in Oregon could prevent the deaths of up to 260 albatrosses and as many as 750 other seabirds over a seven-year period. Streamer lines typically last five to seven years.
This effort helps Oregon’s fishing industry stay both economically viable and environmentally responsible by making it easier for vessels to comply with federal regulations. It also protects vulnerable seabird populations — including endangered species — that are part of the state’s coastal ecosystem and valued by birdwatchers, researchers and coastal communities alike.
