Is it the end of the line for the Albatross?
One of the true highlights of my voyage
in the South Atlantic was the sight of the Albatross soaring
majestically over the ocean waves. These are truly magnificent
birds are under threat of extinction, mainly due to long-line
fishing. Each year an estimated 100,000 albatrosses die on fishing
hooks. They are being killed at such a high rate that they cannot
breed fast enough to keep up.
Albatrosses are exceptionally susceptible to long-lining. They
cannot breed fast enough to cope with the rate at which they are
being killed. Other species, with different life cycles, might be
able to survive. Why is this?
* Albatrosses are long-lived birds, some living up to 60
years
* They can only breed once they are fully mature which, in some
species, can take as long as 12 years
* They only produce one chick at a time with several species only
breeding every other year.
Like many other seabirds, albatrosses are under pressure not only
at sea, but also on land. This comes in the form of introduced
predators and habitat destruction, though the biggest threat is
that posed by the long-lining.
It is dreadful to think that of the 21 species of Albatross, 19 of
them are threatened with extinction. Birdlife International
compiles the official list of threatened birds. Currently there are
2 species that are listed as Critically Endangered, 7 are
Endangered with a further 10 being vulnerable.
So what is the solution?
There are many simple methods that can be implemented cheaply to help reduce the toll on bird life from long-lining. These measures include towing bird-scaring lines behind the vessel, using underwater setting tubes which set the bait out of reach of the birds, tying enough weights so the line sinks out of reach, dying the bait blue which puts birds off eating it or setting the lines at night.
Several fisheries have international regulatory bodies. They set fishing quotas and limits and encourage the implementation of best fishing practices. (For example, The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) regulates fishing in Antarctic waters and requires the use of seabird mitigation measures.)
These regulatory bodies can introduce measures like setting fishery or vessel specific by-catch quotas or closing fisheries seasonally or temporarily to protect the economic interests of fishermen or particular wildlife (for example, to concentrate fishing to times of least impact to seabirds).
