Earth Equity News

South African Addresses Way to Save Albatrosses and Petrels From Extinction. Science Daily, August 31, 2008. "The survival chances of the albatross, now officially the most threatened seabird family in the world, have been improved following a report [PDF, 262 pp] released by WWF-South Africa. At least 28 species of albatross and petrel have been caught by South African fisheries, of which 13 are threatened with extinction. The birds are caught trying to retrieve bait from longline fishing hooks, or are injured or killed during trawling operations. A deterioration of their breeding habitats and targeted hunting operations are other factors. Samantha Petersen, manager of the WWF-South Africa Responsible Fisheries Programme, said that the report improved substantially the understanding of the circumstances under which seabirds were killed... The report says that bird-scaring lines have proved to be simple yet effective way of preventing seabirds from being snagged during longline fishing, and similar measures have helped limit the impact of other fishing techniques... [Dr. Petersen said] 'Albatrosses and petrels undertake amazing journeys where many species frequently circumnavigate the globe crossing many national and international jurisdictions as well as coming across numerous fishing fleets from various nations. The health of our oceans can in many ways be judged by the health of our seabirds. Only together can we have any hope of saving these birds from extinction and protect our oceans.'"