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.
Abstract:
The current status of national surveys on monitoring of marine debris and their impact on marine mammals and seabirds in the Convention Area has been reviewed. The CCAMLR Marine Debris Database contains data from 12 sites, most within Area 48. South Africa submitted data on beached marine debris for the first time from Marion Island (Subarea 58.7). There are 4 sites that have data for more than 3 consecutive years (ranging from 5 to 16 years), these are: Cape Shirreff, (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands); Bird Island, (South Georgia); Signy Island, (South Orkney Islands), and King George Island, (South Shetland Islands).
Marine debris, principally packaging items, fishing gear, and wood items, reached a peak in the period 1994-1996 at Bird Island and Signy Island, but have declined until recently. The number of debris items found has increased in the last season reported at Bird Island (2004), Signy Island (2005) and King George Island (2005). The majority of items found were packaging materials.
The level of marine debris found in Grey-headed albatross, Black-browed albatross and Wandering albatross colonies at Bird Island in 2005 has substantially declined from previous seasons. Fishing gear such as lines and hooks and miscellaneous broken plastics continue to form the major part of the debris associated with seabird colonies.
The number of Antarctic fur seal entanglements at Bird Island reached a peak in 1993 and has showed a general decline since, with the lowest levels on record being reported for the 2005 season. Packaging bands, synthetic string and longline fragments continue to be the main entangling materials. Seabirds were reported entangled at Bird Island for the first time. The number of seabirds contaminated with hydrocarbons remains low.
