2012/08/16

The Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) or Schwarzbrauenalbatros

Though the Black-browed Albatross is the most widespread and common member of the albatross family it’s situation is grim due to a dramatic reduction in population triggered by the consistently rising demand for seafood by us humans. The species is now classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) after research showed a staggering decline of 67% decline over 64 years, which is traced back to increased longline fishing in the southern oceans. Longline fishing is a commercial fishing method where a line with hundreds or even thousands baited hooks is set in the ocean and is controversial because of the so-called bycatch, fish or other animals accidentally killed while seeking the target species. I don’t want to spoil the pleasure of your next portion of fish and chips but it’s very likely that using this wasteful technique has caught the cod or haddock you are feasting on, propably costing the lives of turtles, sharks and many seabirds. Commercial longline fishing is one of the main threats to albatrosses with estimated 100,000 birds per year killed in this way and sadly the Black-browed Albatross is the most common bird killed by fisheries. Even ignoring the sad fate of seabirds and other bycatch it’s increasingly hard to enjoy the culinary treats that seafood offers without a bit of bad conscience taking in account the major problem of overfishing. Especially my favourite palatable fish, the southern bluefin tuna, is declining in numbers due to overfishing, a deplorable development boosted by the rising demand due to my own and Suki the cats insatiable appetite for this particular delicacy. Thinking about all this I may actually do the right thing and skip my tuna sandwich today and leave the seafood to the seabirds like the Black-browed Albatross.

 

Next week: The Eastern Spinebill or winter honey.