New research uses GPS data to reveal longline vessels pose significant risk to threatened albatross

“The scale of global longline fishing is staggering, with over 1,000 vessels deploying lines every single day. These lines, stretching up to 100 kilometers and carrying thousands of baited hooks, are a cornerstone of the global seafood industry. However, they pose a lethal threat to marine life beyond the intended catch — specifically to the iconic albatross. When these birds dive for bait as lines are set, they risk swallowing hooks and drowning. Currently, 15 out of 22 albatross species are threatened with extinction, with longline hooks cited as their primary threat.

To address this crisis, Global Fishing Watch partnered with BirdLife International to analyze how vessel behavior overlaps with albatross activity. Because these birds forage most actively from dawn through daylight hours, many fisheries management organizations recommend that longline setting occur strictly at night. To verify if these guidelines are being followed, our team processed half a billion GPS positions using a sophisticated machine learning model.

The results reveal a critical gap in conservation efforts. The data shows that longline setting most commonly occurs during the day when birds are at the highest risk. Across four years of data, only three percent of global longline sets took place entirely at night. Even in regions where night setting is specifically recommended to protect seabirds, compliance remained low, with only five percent of sets occurring solely under the cover of darkness. By illuminating these hidden activities, Global Fishing Watch is helping provide the knowledge and transparency needed to help fisheries reduce their impact and protect these vulnerable seabirds.