DPLUS168: UNDERSTANDING  INCREASED SEAL BYCATCH TO INFORM BYCATCH ACTION PLAN

The Falkland Islands squid trawl fishery has 100% observer coverage. In contrast, observer coverage in the fin-fish fishery is low and seal-fishery interactions are comparatively poorly understood. We will trial net cameras on the fisheries surveys with the outlook to subsequently deploy on fin-fish vessels. The data collected will allow us to quantify the depth and frequency of net entry by seals, seal behaviour, and interactions with SEDs OR SED efficiency.

To better understand occurrence of interactions we will:
      (1) Track seal movements using satellite tags to understand behaviour and quantify spatial and temporal overlap with fisheries.
      (2) Determine whether seals are following vessels and are habituated to net feeding or whether interactions are driven by proximity to seal colonies.

We will develop mathematical models that combine observer data and tracking data, with environmental and operational data to quantify which variables explain and predict seal-fishery interactions.

Use dietary data to quantify trophic links between seals and prey. Recognizing limited seals dietary data exists, we will use DNA analysis to enhance knowledge contemporary diet, and compound specific stable isotope analysis using an existing seal tooth collection to understand dietary changes over time.

Javed is a Marine Ecologist who joined SAERI in January 2023. He manages our Darwin Plus project investigating the drivers of increased seal bycatch and seal-fishery interactions in the Falkland Islands.

Javed completed his PhD at the University of Tasmania, Australia and has developed a broad range of skills and expertise in the field of animal movement ecology. He has worked with complex and extensive multi-year biologging data from a range of marine predator species. His research interests focus on spatiotemporal foraging behaviours, habitat use and spatially explicit predator-prey interactions.

Megan holds eight years of experience working in the marine science field, coupled with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Since graduation she has been trotting around the globe, seeking out unique field technician positions on the east and west coasts of the United States, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Alaska and now the Falkland Islands.
Most recently she has served on board two research vessels for the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the North Pacific and Arctic oceans. Here, she worked as a hydrographic survey technician mapping the seafloor, and as a science technician where she worked on a number of projects related to sustainable fishery and marine mammal management projects. Through her experience, she has managed and operated over 100 different types of meteorological, oceanographic and acoustic instruments. This has allowed her to develop an intricate familiarity with the never-ending evolution that is science and technology.
Megan hopes to attend graduate school one day to facilitate her dedication to this line of work and plans to continue to work on a global scale.