Appeal To Fishing Fraternity: Beware Discarded Fishing Line!

This is an appeal to ALL anglers in the country! The graphic images (see below) have been circulated far and wide to S.A birders – BUT birders are not the problem – irresponsible, non-caring fishermen are (I personally doubt they are real anglers – Ed). The blight of discarded fishing line along our shore-lines is perennial, ongoing, unmanaged, and out of control, and tragic sights such as these photos show are directly attributable to a certain percentage of fishermen. These scavenging birds are an asset, they clean up the stinking bait often left behind (these Woollynecked Storks were consuming a pile of rotting chicken livers and a discarded fish) and perform an essential role. However it is distressing to many families, with children especially, to see birds in this state and be powerless to help. Ongoing awareness spread, especially to the youngsters, would go a long way. Hopefully the accompanying photos will make readers aware of the appalling results of carelessly discarded fishing-line. EVERYONE could GREATLY assist by just collecting up any line found, and disposing of it in nearby bins. A very simple request which would significantly help. Resorts could be approached to place a collection bin for this purpose at exit points. Thank-you very much for your assistance. Ingrid Weiersbye, on behalf of many many other bird lovers. Appeal to fishermen to act more responsibly The following set of photos graphically illustrates some of the worst traits in humans, and I for one hang my head in shame at our irresponsibility, and the knock-on effects to wildlife that we profess to care for. How have we become insensitive to our surroundings? In this case, the blame for discarded fishing line lies squarely at the feet of fishermen. Not all fishermen behave irresponsibly of course, I have friends who are keen fishermen & I know they act very responsibly and would never discard a single matchstick at the water's edge, let alone bunches of discarded fishing line. Sadly however, and judging by the amount of fishing line that one sees lying around on the margins of dams and along beaches, the majority of fishermen seem to have no concern for the way they litter! Msinsi Holdings manage the Albert Falls resort, and do a good job of running these facilities. However, there should be more accountability with not only keeping water margins clean of debris, but also signage to alert and educate fishermen re the dangers of items such as discarded fishing line. Fishermen are urged to act more responsibly, both along coastal shore lines and at inland fishing sites. Hugh Chittenden. The photos below show fishing line injuries to three separate Woolly-necked Storks. Stork Nos 1 & 2 photographed at Albert Falls Dam near Pietermaritzburg (March, 2019), and Stork No 3, photographed at Mtunzini, June, 2014. When storks become entangled in fishing line, the line often becomes tight, stopping the flow of blood, resulting in swelling and eventually foot or toe loss. This also means that the entangled birds can no longer roost on tree branches at night as they no longer have the capability to clasp onto the branch when the wind blows. Stork No 1, with the right foot showing stump-end & loss of toes from a previous (healed) fishing line injury. Left foot now undergoing similar constriction and potential further loss of toes. Stork No 1 attempting to find aquatic prey along the shallow margins of Albert Falls Dam. Stork No 1 in flight. A woolly-necked Stork on the edge of Albert Falls Dam, completely oblivious to the danger of fishing line just one meter behind where it is standing! Within minutes of photographing the first Woolly-necked Stork entangled with fishing line, a second bird was seen limping badly with a swollen toe dangling and about to fall off! This bird, in obvious pain, was found limping badly at the edge of the Umlalazi Lagoon, Mtunzini. Umlalazi Nature Reserve is managed by Ezemvelo. In November of 2015, a Palm-nut Vulture, was photographed at Mtunzini with fishing line attached to its one foot. The insert (below) shows one toe badly swollen and would have in all probobility lost that extremity shortly after this photograph was taken!