Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
Fishing Gear. Marine fisheries exact a significant toll on ocean-feeding birds through bycatch— the incidental catching and killing of seabirds. The distribution of many pelagic seabirds overlaps with marine fishing operations making seabird bycatch from longline, demersal longline, trawl, and other pelagic fisheries an important threat (Hutchinson et al. 2025, Adams et al. 2020, Yeh et al.2013, Baker et al. 2007, Watkins et al. 2008, Anderson et al. 2011) . The distribution of many seabird species overlaps with pelagic longline fisheries for tuna, tuna-like species, and sharks (Yeh et al. 2013, Tuck et al. 2011) . The ICCAT reports that fleets from at least 36 countries operating in the Atlantic Ocean were responsible for deploying an average 315 million hooks annually from 2004 to 2008 (ICCAT 2010; Yeh et al. 2013) . ICCAT identified 41 seabird populations of 28 species as being at serious risk from ICCAT longline fisheries (ICCAT 2008) . These included one critically endangered, seven endangered, and nine vulnerable species as listed by the IUCN (see IUCN Red List, http://www.redlist.org). Longlines, gillnets, and other fishing gear can prove fatal (Hutchinson et al. 2025, Collins et al. 2025) . In North Carolina, the Red-throated Loon and Common Loon are the most heavily impacted by gillnets (Sigourney et al. 2019) . Excessive bycatch of forage fish as well as fisheries using the same prey used by waterbirds can reduce the birds’ food supplies. Trawls that affect the sea bottom alter the habitat on which the prey of seabirds and coastal waterbirds depend. Seabirds ingest materials and debris as a natural consequence of foraging. Ingesting plastics and other artificial flotsam can be detrimental. Additionally, seabirds are caught in discarded and/or abandoned fishing line, nets, and other waste. Oil and Wind Energy . Oil is a major environmental threat to pelagic species, especially along major shipping transportation corridors. Oil may be released during platform construction, offshore drilling, and shipping and spillage. Waterbirds are commonly injured by oil spills, chronic oil discharge in bilge water, and release of hazardous materials. Additionally, lights on drilling structures may disorient, attract, or confuse some pelagic birds, resulting in injury or death. Energy exploration and development off the coast of North Carolina, either for oil extraction or wind, are emerging hazards that potentially threaten numerous marine and pelagic species, including seabirds. The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for an offshore wind energy program and has mapped final wind energy areas for lease (see Figure 3-2 in Appendix 3). Habitat Loss . Conflicts with fisheries, oil and hazardous material issues, and offshore pollution contribute to the degradation of foraging habitat for many pelagic species, particularly in shipping channels and areas heavily used by the marine fisheries industry. Mass harvest of Sargassum would affect forage prey base for pelagic species. Harvest or overharvest of Atlantic Menhaden, Atlantic Herring, and other managed prey populations may affect the forage prey base for pelagic seabirds. Seabirds congregate throughout the year; and in non-nesting seasons
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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