The Albatross: Flying High, Again…

Industrialized fishing has contributed to the deaths of thousands of majestic seabirds each year, as many get caught on fishing hooks and lines. This includes species of the albatross, many at risk for extinction. The albatross has the longest wingspan of any flying bird, giving it the ability to circle the globe. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK teamed up with Birdlife International in South Africa to experiment with ways to prevent the birds from tangling with fishing gear. “Comprising a number of cost-effective options, the main measure was to deploy streamers, or tori lines, that fall off the back of the boat towards a buoy stationed in the sea, creating a 'curtain' that scares the birds away from the baited fishing lines,” reports Kunal Dutta for the Independent. “Fishermen are also encouraged to sink their lines at night, when the birds are asleep, or use weighted hooks that sink quickly and coloured ones that are more difficult for birds in flight to spot.” The albatross has long served as a literary symbol for freedom and responsibility, and offers a modern-day reminder that environmental neglect carries more costs than benefit. – YaleGlobal