MEPS 751:173-187 (2024)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14748

ABSTRACT: The great shearwater Ardenna gravis is a pelagic seabird that forages in waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean mainly during the pre-laying and chick-rearing periods. There, the species has been reported in the bycatch of longline and trawl fisheries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fishing effort on the foraging behavior of shearwaters, analyzing the distribution and behavior of birds and fishing effort and using evidence from isotope analysis to assess their use of fishery discards and facilitated prey. Tracking data of immature and adult shearwaters and fishing effort of different Argentine commercial fishing fleets were used to determine the effect of fishing effort on the foraging behavior of the species through generalized additive mixed models. Adult and immature shearwaters are more likely to forage when the fishing effort of demersal high-seas ice-trawlers increases and that of coastal demersal ice-trawlers decreases (and mid-water ice-trawlers for immatures). The isotope analysis showed higher contribution of zooplanktonic species and mid-water fish, followed by demersal species (which can be only available through the consumption of discards and offal). These results are related to the common use of highly productive waters and the attraction of shearwaters generated by prey captured in nets and by discards as a predictable source of food. Understanding the impact of fisheries on seabird behavior is essential for implementing measures aimed at reducing the incidental capture of seabirds by fishing fleets.

KEY WORDS: Seabirds · Fisheries · Discards · Tracking data · Foraging behavior · Stable isotope analysis