Pelicans Most Vulnerable To Fishing Tackle Injuries

A study shows that pelicans are particularly susceptible to fishing tackle injuries, forming 59 percent of all birds injured.

AsianScientist (Jul 23, 2014) – A study shows that South Australia’s recreational fishermen are more likely to snag pelicans than any other marine birds, who are often the victim of fishing line and hook entanglements. The results of the study have been published in the International Journal of Veterinary Health Science & Research.

Fishermen are being warned to be more aware of the risks to seabirds and to report any injuries as soon as possible.

A study of 113 seabirds treated over a six-year period for 132 fishing-related injuries has been conducted by researchers from the University of Adelaide’s School of Medical Sciences and the Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation (AMWRRO).

They’ve found that, contrary to public belief, “live” tackle being used by fishermen is resulting in the bird injuries, not tackle that’s been thrown away.

“Discarded fishing lines have often been attributed as the cause of injury to wild birds living along coastal and river regions, but until now there’s been nothing to show how widespread the problem is or why it’s happening,” says the University’s Professor Roger Byard AO, from the School of Medical Sciences.

“Regular removal of discarded fishing gear along the coast has seen no reduction in the number of entangled or hooked seabirds, so we believe that these injuries are occurring because the birds are getting too close to active recreational fishing.”

Pelicans were involved in more than 59 percent of cases, with gulls, plovers and banded stilts among the other most commonly affected seabirds. Entanglement or embedded hooks were the cause of injury in 97 percent of pelican cases, with only 3 percent involving ingestion of hooks.

AMWRRO President Aaron Machado says: “By raising awareness of this issue, we’re hoping to educate fishermen about the risks to wildlife, so they can become more aware of those risks, to mitigate them, and to report them as soon as cases arise.

“The sooner we know about a bird that’s been tangled, the sooner we can provide help. This isn’t about pointing the finger and blaming fishermen, it’s about helping them to have an incident-free fishing experience and to protect the natural marine bird life.”

The article can be found at: Carapetis et al. (2014) Recreational Fishing-Related Injuries to Australian Pelicans (Pelecanus Conspicillatus) and Other Seabirds in a South Australian Estuarine and River Area.

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Source: University of Adelaide; Photo: Sci Doc Publishers.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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