A MARINE organisation group is urging fishermen to dispose of their gear after a bird was found with a fishing hook protruding from its beak.
The South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (SAAMBR) animal health team performed an operation on an adult swift tern after it was brought to them by members of the public.
The bird was found along the shoreline of Ushaka beach with two large fishing hooks in its stomach.
The rescued bird has affectionately been named Thomas.
“Under anaesthetic, Dr Francois Lampen was able to surgically incise his stomach and skillfully retrieve the line and both hooks. We are pleased to report that Thomas is awake and walking around his enclosure,” said SAAMBR in a statement.
“Although his condition is still quite severe, he will be monitored closely and we are hopeful he will make a complete recovery.”
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Tracy Shaw, Registrar at SAAMBR, said birds getting caught on fish hooks was a common occurrence across the Durban coastline.
“We don’t get to see the full impact of the damage because in most cases the birds will fly away and it’s difficult having trying to chase a flying bird,” she said.
“The hooks damage their esophagus and it’s a horrible way to die.”
Shaw said this is caused by mostly by fishermen leaving their baited lines on the beach and not properly disposing of them.
Coastal birds, who are opportunistic scavengers, latch on the baited fish which is disguised with a hook, she said.
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“We need to educate the public on the correct way of disposing or recycling fishing lines and the dangers of marine pollution because its affects are visible on all sorts of animals,” she said.
Shaw said they hope to release Thomas soon.
SAAMBR and the World Wide Fund for nature published a guide for responsible angling which can be found here: opens as PDF.
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