DST News: Albatrosses off South Africa’s coast are being killed in large numbers by fishing operations, particularly long-line fishing, where birds are hooked and drowned while trying to grab bait. Spending most of their lives at sea, these endangered seabirds are especially vulnerable to bycatch.

Conservation group BirdLife South Africa has been tackling the problem through its Albatross Task Force, promoting simple bird-scaring lines—streamers that deter birds from nets and hooks. The lines are cheap, effective and even help fishermen avoid losing valuable catch.

Made in partnership with workers with disabilities, the initiative has cut seabird deaths by about 90% in southern African fisheries since 2004. Conservationists hope the model can be expanded globally to protect albatrosses from extinction.

Source: BBC