At the start of the trip, we wrote about the graceful albatross, and how they'd become companions of the Rainbow Warrior. Roger's been taking lots of photos of them, and we've been treated to the huge majestic birds swooping low over our inflatables - so close we can almost reach out and touch them.
But we weren't prepared for masses of albatross that follow the bottom trawlers. As the nets are hauled to the surface, hundreds, even thousands of them seem to appear from nowhere. As they drop their undercarriage for landing, they become kind of goofy looking, with big feet splayed out to bring them to an undignified halt. They then sit on the surface, bobbing around, with what looks like a silly, quizzical grin.
When the bycatch is discarded by the bottom trawler, the albatross break into noisy squabbles with each other over fish scraps. We're caught in the middle, drifting along in our inflatables, collecting bycatch as evidence of bottom trawling. We have to carefully navigate through the massive feeding birds.
On the bow of the boat, we have fish-spotters - crew members armed with landing nets, ready to grab dead fish as they float by. They end up doubling as albatross spotters, warning the boat driver of possible collisions. For birds that can navigate the oceans of the world, albatross are not too smart when it comes to handling traffic. A slowly approaching boat is enough to scare away most birds, but the albatross don't seem to care about us too much, only moving at the last minute.
Comments
The longlining problem and ACAP
There are 21 species of albatross currently under the threat of extinction. The situation is as serious as the fate dolphins faced from tuna fishermen in the 80s before public awareness and pressure brought about a change in fishing techniques. Longlining - thousands of hooks baited and dragged on a line up to 100km long behind fishing vessels - kills more than 300,000 seabirds each year by drowning.
Unless measures are taken, such as weighting the line, defrosting bait, flying bird-scaring lines and setting hooks at night, albatrosses can easily scavenge baited hooks and become caught, leading to a slow and painful death by drowning. Around 80% of killings can be prevented by implementing an accepted set of mitigation measures.
Between a third and a half of all the birds caught as by-catch from longlining are killled by illegal, pirate fishing boats. The problem could be drastically reduced if governments take the necessary steps to ensure these boats are not allowed to operate and longline fishing by practices are executed in a more environmentally friendly manner, saving the lives of the birds and increasing the fishermen's yield.
The Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) requires signatory states to take specific measures to reduce seabird by-catch from longline fishing and improve the conservation status of the birds. This project will highlight the need for all relevant longlining countries to sign and ratify the legally binding agreement - only 6 have done so to date (Australia, NZ, Ecuador, Spain, SA and, most recently, the UK) - with France and other South American and Asian countries desperately needed to sign up.
The ladbroked link above refers to:
The world's toughest endurance race
One of the world's longest migrations - 6,000 miles across open water
Major hurdles to overcome - Taking flight, Bass Straight (first expanse of water), Great Australian Bight (Great White Sharks), the Roaring Forties (hypothermia and storms) the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean (losing their way), before making it to the Benguela Current and its rich fishing territory.
The birds have 'trainers' (world leaders in seabird research)
The birds are from three different 'stables' (islands - Pedra Branca, Albatross Island and Mewstone)
Each bird has an 'owner' (high-profile supporters of the project)
Each bird has been mounted up with a 'jockey' (electronic satellite tracking device)
Spectators will be able to follow the action from the Ladbrokes.com 'Grandstand' and bet on the race, with all profits going to future seabird conservation projects
I am sorry your adventure is coming to an end. I have been with you every day, relishing the weblog site and Kat's seven sealogs. They have also been read by many members of my address book. Thank you for such excellent reporting. Kat's grandmother. Bestema
Posted by: Harriet Bolstad at June 16, 2004 11:25 PM
I am sorry your adventure is coming to an end. I have been with you every day, relishing the weblog site and Kat's seven sealogs. They have also been read by many members of my address book. Thank you for such excellent reporting. Kat's grandmother. Bestema
Posted by: Harriet Bolstad at June 16, 2004 11:25 PM
