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| cape birding
route > birding spots > seabirding > the longline killer |
The
Longline Killer:
Research is demonstrating that the fairly recent advent of longline
fishing techniques is causing a tragic number of deaths among
southern hemisphere seabirds. Fishing lines up to 100 km long,
studded with up to 20 000 baited hooks, are trailed behind fishing
vessels. It is estimated that a staggering 100 million hooks
each year are set in the southern oceans alone. As the line
is lowered into the water, but before it sinks very deep, seabirds
following the boat plunge down to grab the bait, get hooked
and drown. Research estimates suggest that as many as 40 000
albatrosses are killed annually, a disturbing figure which is
causing population declines in several species. These declines
are potentially devastating, especially among the long-lived
Wandering
Albatrosses (p.40*), a species which only raises one
chick every two years. Currently, the Global Seabird Programme
of BirdLife International and other concerned parties are investigating
ways of reducing this seabird mortality.
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This website is maintained by
Claire Spottiswoode, Callan Cohen, Peter Ryan and Eve Holloway
of Birding Africa and the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African
Ornithology.
Please do not use any text, images or content from this site without
permission
© Birding Africa 1997-2003 info@capebirdingroute.org
21 Newlands Road, Claremont, 7708, Cape Town, South Africa
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SA
Birdfinder to be launched here soon...
This page is due to be launched in conjunction
with BirdLife South Africa at the BirdLife International World
Congress in March 2004 and will include information and trip
planning for the whole
of Southern Africa and Madagascar
and a lot more functionality!! |
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