Influence of management practices and of scavenging seabirds on availability of fisheries discards to benthic scavengers

Furness, R.W., Edwards, A.E. and Oro, D. (2007) Influence of management practices and of scavenging seabirds on availability of fisheries discards to benthic scavengers. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 350, pp. 235-244. (doi: 10.3354/meps07191)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps07191

Abstract

There is great variation in discarding practice among fisheries in different parts of the world. Management systems result in some fisheries discarding mostly fish offal, much of which is macerated into small chunks, while other fisheries discard large (ca. 25 cm) whole fish. Scavenging seabirds consume high proportions of most categories of discarded fish and offal (typically 60 to 80% of discarded roundfish, 70 to 95% of discarded offal), but tend to avoid discarded benthic invertebrates and fish that are difficult to swallow, such as species with long spines or large flatfish. Amounts and composition of fishery discards and offal reaching benthic scavenging communities are clearly very strongly influenced by the intense but selective consumption by seabirds, and this alteration will depend strongly on details of the fishery management regulations and customs, such as whether or not waste is macerated. There is scope to adjust fisheries management practices to reduce the impact of offal and discards on scavenger communities

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Furness, Professor Robert
Authors: Furness, R.W., Edwards, A.E., and Oro, D.
Subjects:Q Science > QL Zoology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Marine Ecology Progress Series
ISSN:0171-8630

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
451281Diet change and parental care during the breeding season in herring gulls Larus argentatusRobert FurnessNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)UNSPECIFIEDRI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED