Over the past decade there has been concern about the bycatch of seabirds, turtles and sharks in fishing operations, in particular longline and trawl fisheries. The incidental mortality of these species has been widely held responsible for the declining populations and threatened conservation status of several species. These vulnerable, K-selected species are also top predators and as such play an important role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. They also have an economic value both in terms of non-consumptive eco-tourism activities and, at least in the case of sharks, a consumptive value. Seabirds and turtles are also indicators of the health of the ecosystem because they breed on land and their populations can therefore be accurately monitored. This report addresses the real world problem of understanding, managing and ultimately reducing the impacts of longline (targeting tunas Thunnus spp., Swordfish Xiphias gladius and Cape hakes Merluccius spp. and trawl (targeting Cape hakes) fishing operations.