Trip reports

Albatross Task Force

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

We enjoyed a fascinating talk by Peter Exley from the RSPB Regional Office in Exeter on his work with the group set up at the University of Capetown to monitor the decline in albatross population due to commercial fishing.
Because of delays in obtaining permission to go out with the fishing fleet, he first took the opportunity to go bird watching and we were treated to wonderful slides of all types of wildlife from pelicans on an offshore island to the flora and fauna on top of Table Mountain.

Finally permission was granted to go to sea. The problems of long line fishing are well documented, with over 100,000 birds a year being drowned, but steps are being taken to improve their plight. However, there is also a problem with trawlers where birds, attracted by the offal thrown overboard, fly into the cables which carry the nets and are injured or drowned. A simple device called a Tori line, made of coloured garden hose and costing about £25.00, has helped to solve the problem and as these are made locally, they are also providing work for the local population. Use of the Tori line is now compulsory in this area and the scheme is well policed. The task force is now spreading to other countries to try to save even more of these amazing birds.
Eileen Miller