Bird-safe Fishing
Bird-fisherman interactions are sometimes difficult to avoid. It is our responsibility as anglers to know the best practices to handle animal emergencies when they arise.
The Five Steps of Handling Entangled Birds
DO NOT CUT THE LINE
Hooks don’t rust away as easy as you might think. Cutting the line ensures the hook remains lodged or swallowed further. Worse still if the line is cut meters from the hook the loose line can get caught on branches, jetties, pylons etc. where the bird is then tangled and often killed by constriction or starvation.
Not cutting the line allows you to reel in the bird safely and makes its surgical removal easier for the veterinarian.
Types of Entanglements
Active
Active entanglements are the most common form of bird entanglement.
This is when the bird becomes entrapped in fishing line or hooked whilst you are actively fishing. They are also the easiest to prevent and manage provided you know what to do.
Common active entanglements:
- Pigeons and gulls flying into baited lines under jetties and piers
- Pelicans “stealing” fish being reeled in
- Turns and gulls swooping and catching surface lures
- Ducks eating unweighted or shallow bread and corn baits
Birds aren’t the only bait stealers out there. Hungry turtles can also appear as bycatch when using worms in the fresh.
Passive
Passive entanglements can be some of the most dangerous.
This is when the bird gets entrapped by fishing litter in the environment. Entanglements often happen when there’s no assistance around and as a result have some of the highest mortalities.
Common passive entanglements:
- Loose line
- Nets/netting “ghost nets”
- Hooks and rigs caught on places they roost or move through (dangling from jetties, hooked to pylons, reeds, or logs)
Prevention is Key
Fortunately, most of these scenarios can be avoided or eliminated through some simple bird-conscious practices.
Preventative Practices
*Birds fed by fisherman change their behaviour, linking fishing activity with the dinner bell. By not feeding birds, they are less likely to hang around and less likely to try and steal your catch.
Wildlife Welfare Organisation
The WWO is a volunteer-based organisation based in Goolwa that cares for all wild animals, especially marine and seabirds.
They provide a state-wide emergency service for distressed or injured wildlife with on-site facilities for the rehabilitation of native animals.
WWO also offers free education and advice on what actions to take when discovering sick or injured wildlife.
24/7 Service
0434 114 628
Let's do our part and take care of the wildlife we share the water with
Below are some of the real consequences of unsafe fishing practices.
