Albatross and petrel interactions with an artisanal squid fishery in southern peru during el nino, 2015-2017

We report on the occurrence of albatrosses (Diomedeidae) and petrels (Procellariidae) associated with an artisanal small-scale fishery (SSF) for Humboldt Squid Dosidicus gigas in waters of southern Peru during El Nino 2015-2016 and coastal El Nino 2017. We deployed as observers on a number of fishing trips to assess seabird interactions. White-chinned Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis and Waved Albatross Phoebastria irroata were the most abundant species observed, followed by Salvin's Thalassarche salvini and Chatham T.eremita albatross, and Cape Petrels Daption capense. The majority of procellariid species (> 60% of total birds) visited while vessels were positioned over the continental slope. Salvin's and Chatham albatross, and White-chinned Petrels. were mostly absent during summer (only 5% and 15% of birds present, respectively), but Waved Albatross and Cape Petrels were present year-round. Thus, the prevalence of each of these species was disproportionate relative to expectation based on non-fishery surveys. All assessed species foraged on offal discards associated with the fishery (similar to 17%), with a higher frequency of consumption among Salvin's (27%) and Chatham (21%) albatross; in contrast. Waved Albatross largely fed on pelagic fish at the surface. Bycatch rate was found to be low; one Chatham Albatross was hooked and released in a hand-held squid jig (0.042 By Catch Per Unit Effort [BPUE] per fishing trip, n = 16). Probably due to El Nino conditions. Waved Albatross were more abundant than expected (43.9% of albatross. and 2.8% of total seabirds observed) and were 1300-1400 km farther south than their usual southern limits. We report the first sighting of Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora in Peru. Bycatch in longline fisheries are a conservation concern, but the magnitude and constant growth of SSFs. especially for IIumboldt Squid, needs to be further investigated.