3.11 Pelagic Seabirds
feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of the histories and status help determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All stud- ies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxo- nomic status are needed.
• Examine the role of commercial fsheries in seabird mortality.
• Determine population level efects of oil and hazardous materials on seabirds.
• Assess mercury loads in seabirds.
• Identify key marine habitats.
• Examine value of Sargassum to seabirds.
• Examine efects of Sargassum harvest to seabird habitat and populations.
• Along South Atlantic coast beaches, research into the rates of and reasons for wintering common loon mortality should help evaluate the risks to seabird populations in this area. • Establish whether foraging Black-capped Petrels within the Gulf Stream (especially of of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) are the same as birds concurrently breeding in Haiti (Hunter 2004b).
• Nonpersistent lines, nets, and traps should be developed.
• Methods should be improved for tracing lost or abandoned fshing gear back to owners.
• Review whether ICCAT mitigation measures refect best practices (ICCAT 2014) .
• Develop indicators that can be used to evaluate the efciency of mitigation measures (ICCAT 2014) .
• Review the estimation methodologies and compile indirect bycatch mortality estimates for sea birds (ICCAT 2014) . Management Practices. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergis- tically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources. Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their habitats, and improving degraded habitats. In addition, education about, and reg- ulation and prevention of the introduction and spread of exotic or invasive species are vital.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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