Abstract

In recent years, the growth of fishing activities has led to increased interactions between marine fauna and fisheries. Among these, gillnet fisheries are recognized for exerting significant impact. Despite this, our comprehension of their effect on marine fauna is still limited. This study, therefore, aims to elucidate the operational interaction and bycatch of seabirds and marine mammals in the artisanal gillnet fishery off southern Chile. From January to November 2007, scientific observers documented 66 fishing sets to monitor and describe these interactions. The observations revealed substantial encounters. A total of 103 South American sea lions, one Burmeister's porpoise, 272 petrels, 140 gulls, 82 albatrosses, 54 cormorants, and 46 pelicans were observed during these sets. Sea lions were involved in 29 of the 66 sets mainly damaging the catch, while seabirds interacted in 16 sets, leading to gear damage. Furthermore, additional species such as spiny dogfish, crabs, and benthic amphipods were also found interacting with the gillnets. The study recorded the mortality of three marine mammals (1 porpoise and 2 sea lions) and 71 seabirds (63 penguins and 8 cormorants). Notably, no porpoises or penguins were observed during net setting or hauling, indicating that entanglements occur during the net soak time. These findings underscore the broader range of species affected by gillnet operations and highlight the potentially underestimated impact on marine wildlife. In conclusion, this research provides crucial insights into the interactions between artisanal gillnet fisheries and marine fauna in Southern Chile. By detailing these interactions and their associated mortalities, it emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures and sustainable fishing practices to mitigate the ecological consequences of gillnet fisheries on marine biodiversity.