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Fishing around pelicans: Some suggestions
Each
year IBRRC treats many endangered
brown pelicans that have gotten
themselves tangled in discarded
fishing line and hooks. We'd
like encourage fishermen to
take better responsibilty for
their habitat for the sake
of all. Here's some suggestions:
 |
This
pelican had its hooked
beak treated. Others
aren't so lucky. Larger
image (Jay Holcomb/IBRRC) |
Switch to barbless
hooks. The use of barbless hooks works well for getting
hooks out of birds and it has been proven that very
few fish ever get away because a hook is barbless and
causes less harm to fish that are caught and released.
1. Never discard used lines over the side
of the boat or leave it where you've fished. Please
dispose of it properly and if you can't find a receptacle
close by, just please carry it out with you to dispose
of properly. Monofilament line entanglement is a slow
and painful death. If you ever see lines or hooks in
the water, on the beach, or anywhere in the environment,
pick it up and cut it into little pieces before disposing
of it.
2. Avoid casting
when seabirds are in the
area, you may avoid having
to reel in a hooked one and
having to deal with it.
Suggestions from Kent Sheaffer at Reel
Buddies:
If you hook or find a hooked bird, there
is something you can do to help:
1. If in California, contact
IBRRC or
a local wildlife rehabilitation center near you if
you
don't
feel comfortable
dealing
with
it without instructions, but just don't walk away!
2. NEVER just cut the line, leaving some
of the mono filament, it can kill the bird and other
birds can get wrapped in it as well.
3. Get someone to help you. It is just about
impossible to do the job of holding the bird and removing
the hook and/or line alone. Use a lot of common sense
and caution. Birds will instinctively go for your eyes
with their beaks.
4. Figure out how you can safely capture
the bird. If you have a large poled net, you can use
that. Or, drop a cast net over the bird, being careful
not to bend and break the feathers. Don't try and lift
or pull the bird by the hooked line! It will cause the
bird to struggle from pain and you'll just set the hook
and cause more damage.
5. Get control of the birds head, but don't
hold the bill shut. Pelicans can't breath if their bills
are held shut. Grasp the bird's bill with your hands
and keep a hold on it, before removing it from the net.
If you have a towel or heavy shirt available you can
cover the bird's head to help calm it.
6. Untangle the bird and make sure you get
it all lines off. If there are no hooks in the bird,
carefully release it while protecting your face. If
the bird is too weak to fly, get it to a wildlife rehabilitation
center for medical treatment.
7. If a hook is embedded in the flesh, gently
push it through until you can see the barb. Clip the
barb off and pull the hook back out. Be careful to cover
the hook before you cut it, the hook could fly into
your face while being cut. If you leave the hook or
barb in the bird it will die from infection.
8. If the hook is through bone, or the bird
is bleeding badly or seems very lethargic and non-aggressive
it is already in serious condition and will need professional
help. Do not release the bird, but call us or your local
wildlife rehabilitator and get it help as quickly as
possible. Never keep the bird and try and treat it yourself,
it is illegal to do so! |
