MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Discarded fishing tackle is causing distress and death to marine life on the Garden Route, according to the SPCA.
SPCA Garden Route chair Heather Church says: "Dead seagulls and other marine birds and animals - many of them entwined in fishing line - are found regularly on the beaches. Some fishermen litter the beaches with their line and hooks, stinking bait boxes and smelly plastic bags, as well as drink bottles and general rubbish.
"They should take their rubbish home or put it into a dustbin. Fishermen like this obviously do not care about the environment or animals.
"On Mondays locals have to take black plastic bags to the beach to clean up after these filthy people and at low tides they have to climb out as far as possible on the rocks to try to extract all the nylon line that is caught on the rocks.
"Many birds get their feet caught in the lines or hooks and die a slow and painful death."
Church says many other animals are affected by this fishing litter - dolphins, turtles, seals, fish and more get entwined in drifting fishing lines.
Many dogs have been hurt after eating baited hooks left lying about. Discarded, rusty and dirty hooks are a health risk and get stuck in the feet of children, adults and animals walking on the beach or rocks.
“Fishermen, clean up after yourselves if you want to make use of our natural resources. It is the least you can do,” pleads Church.
The SPCA urges all fishermen to:
- Make sure they take all of their fishing tackle home with them;
- Examine their surroundings before casting to avoid snagging flying birds in their lines;
- Keep their bait boxes closed to prevent birds from stealing hooked bait;
- Use barbless fishing hooks and weighted fishing lines to avoid hooking seabirds.
- Safely dispose of fishing hooks and lines and keep the water and surrounding areas free of debris.
- Not leave fishing rods unattended with bait dangling from the hook. Birds and dogs are put at risk.
What to do if you accidentally snag a seabird
Never chase the bird. If it is entangled, do not cut it free. It may get away and trail the line behind it.
If it is unable to free itself it will starve within a few days and may entangle other birds or animals as well. Even short lines of 20cm can kill.
Always reel the bird in slowly and gently and don’t lift it with the line. Use a net or your hands, protected by a cloth, to cover the bird's head and eyes gently with a cloth or towel to calm it but make sure it can breathe.
Keep its wings folded in their normal position and maintain control of the bird’s head and body. Find a large container and keep the bird calm and quiet while you call for help.
Call the SPCA (044 693 0824; emergency after-hours: 072-287 1761) or SANCCOB (021 557 615) for assistance and advice.
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