Bird Bycatch in Fishing Nets in Lithuanian Coastal Waters in Wintering Season 2001–2002

Bycatch of birds wintering in Lithuanian coastal waters in gillnets was investigated in the wintering season 2001–2002. Vulnerability of different bird species to entanglement in fishing nets as well as threat posed by nets of different mesh sizes to birds were identified. Steller's Eider and Redthroated and Black-throated Divers were found to be most threatened by inshore gillnet fisheries. Nets of larger mesh sizes, particularly salmon nets (>60 mm mesh size) pose the greatest threat to wintering birds. The most urgent bird conservation measures are proposed, and the possibility to manage inshore fisheries in bird-friendly manner with little adverse effects on fishermen community is discussed.