Efforts to Protect Endangered Albatrosses from Bycatch Near Cape Point
Cape Point, located about 27 nautical miles (50 km) from Cape Town, is an area where tour boats observe endangered seabirds such as albatrosses. These seabirds face significant threats from long-line fishing, which can extend up to 100 km with roughly 4,000 hooks baited with squid or fish. The bait attracts seabirds that may get caught and dragged underwater as bycatch, and fishing nets also contribute to their risk.
Albatrosses are among the world's most endangered seabirds, with 22 global species, 15 of which are threatened by fishing activities. These birds spend approximately half of their lives at sea and have a low reproductive rate, being monogamous and laying only one egg every two years.
To address these threats, mitigation measures such as bird-scaring lines, known as Tori lines, have been developed. These colorful streamers are attached to fishing lines to deter birds from approaching baited hooks. BirdLife South Africa's Albatross Task Force leads the deployment and monitoring of these lines.
In addition, BirdLife collaborates with workers from the Ocean View Association for Persons with Disabilities to manufacture bird-scaring lines, thereby providing livelihoods for people with disabilities. Since the Albatross Task Force's establishment in 2004, southern African fisheries have seen about a 90% reduction in seabird deaths. Researchers aim to replicate this success worldwide.
The economic incentive to protect tuna catches is significant, as a tuna catch can be worth approximately $10,000, while seabirds hold no market value, encouraging fishers to adopt protective measures to safeguard their catch.
