A study conducted by BirdLife and Lipu in the Pelagie Archipelago, a biodiversity hotspot in the Strait of Sicily, delivers one of the first insights into seabird bycatch.
Seabirds are among the most threatened marine species worldwide, with bycatch remaining a major cause of mortality. A recent study conducted by BirdLife and Lipu in the Pelagie Archipelago, a biodiversity hotspot in the Strait of Sicily, delivers one of the first insights into seabird bycatch in Italian waters, home to a key breeding colony of Scopoli’s shearwater.
Combining onboard observations (2021–2024) with interviews with local fishers, the study identifies drifting longlines as the main driver of seabird bycatch, while also revealing incidental catches of sharks, rays and sea turtles. These findings underscore the urgent need for further research and closer collaboration with fishers to reduce bycatch and protect vulnerable marine species in the central Mediterranean.