Fishing equipment, marine debris and hydrocarbon soiling associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia, 2005/06

This report describes and quantifies occurrences of fishing gear, marine debris and oil associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006. It is the thirteenth such annual report. As in previous years, more items of marine debris and fishing gear (mostly longlining gear) were found in association with wandering albatrosses than with any other species. Although the total number of items encountered has decreased significantly since a peak between 2000 and 2002, more items were encountered this season than in the previous season for all species monitored with the exception of black browed albatross. Entanglements continue to be observed at a rate similar to that of previous seasons, hooks being typical of those used in the Patagonian toothfish industry. Whilst the occurrence of debris and fishing gear at Bird Island remains substantially lower than during a peak that occurred half a decade ago, the recent increase is of concern.