ENTANGLEMENT OF ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS ARCTOCEPHALUS GAZELLA IN MAN-MADE DEBRIS AT BIRD ISLAND, SOUTH GEORGIA DURING THE 2007 WINTER AND 2007/08 BREEDING SEASON

Results of the survey of entanglements of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Bird Island, South Georgia for the 18th consecutive winter (April to October 2007) and 20th consecutive summer (November 2007 to March 2008) are reported here. During the reporting period of 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 a total of 36 entangled seals were observed. Sixteen and 20 entanglements were observed in the winter and summer periods respectively. Entanglements classed as Severe or Very Severe accounted for 25% of winter and 10% of summer entanglements. During winter, synthetic string/longline material was the most commonly found item forming neck collars (44%), whereas during summer the largest proportion of entanglements were in sections of fishing net (40%). Packing bands were the second most abundant entangling material in both summer (38%) and winter (25%). The majority of entanglements (78%) involved juveniles (including pups and sub-adults), comprising 88% in winter and 65% in summer. Data for the winter period showed a decrease in the number of entanglements compared to the high levels during the previous season, but levels were still above the long term winter median (1990-2006). Data for the summer period showed a small rise in the number of entanglements compared with the previous season, but levels were slightly below the long term summer median (1989-2007).