Fishing equipment, marine debris and hydrocarbon soiling associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia, 2004/05

This report describes and quantifies occurrences of fishing gear, marine debris and oil associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. It is the twelfth such annual report. As in previous years, more items of fishing gear (mostly longlining gear) were found in association with wandering albatrosses than with any other species, although the total number has decreased significantly over the past two seasons. Entanglements continue to be observed, hooks being typical of those used in the Patagonian Toothfish industry. Wandering albatrosses also collected the most number of marine debris, though again total quantity is significantly down on previous years. Numbers of debris and fishing gear associated with other species fell from the previous season. A high number of hydrocarbon and paint soiling events occurred, mostly around late March. Whilst the data indicate a reduction in fishing equipment and debris collected there are still significant effects from human/ avain interactions.