Arctic Science Journeys
Radio Script
1997

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Fishing for Albatross
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STORY: The short-tailed albatross is one of the world's rarest seabirds, and it's also one of the most graceful. Its seven-foot wingspan and slender body allows it to soar low over the ocean and dive on squid and fish near the surface. While beautiful to watch, the short-tailed albatross's hunting technique is causing headaches for Alaska's commercial fishermen.

The problem is that the seabird sometimes dives on fishermen's baited hooks as they sink slowly beneath the ocean's surface. During the last two years, three short-tailed albatross were hooked and killed in Alaska's longline fishery--this is where miles of baited hooks are laid on the seafloor to catch halibut and cod. Under the Endangered Species Act, the state's 60-million-dollar-a-year fishery could end if fishermen catch more than four short-tailed albatross over the next two years.

Kim Rivera is a fisheries regulation specialist with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

RIVERA: "Technically, what the Endangered Species Act says is you're prohibited from taking these species. The commercial fisheries get an exemption from that. If the incidental take limit is exceeded, the fishery could be closed."

In response, fishermen themselves have pushed for new regulations that require methods be used to avoid catching the endangered seabird. Thorn Smith is executive director of the North Pacific Longliners Association.

SMITH: "The fact of the matter is that this is a very highly endangered species. As a consequence, the commercial fisheries are very severely restricted. We obviously have found it necessary to take action to make sure that we don't catch these birds. I should add that the measures that we are using will avoid all other seabirds as well."

Those new regulations become law later this month. They require that fishermen choose from among several techniques to avoid catching albatross. Among the techniques are fishing at night when seabirds are less active. Fishermen also can deploy their hooks through special tubes that extend below the ocean's surface. In addition, fishermen can attach streamers to their vessels to scare the seabirds away from their boats. Kim Rivera of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

RIVERA: "Essentially what you have is this line hanging over that area with these streamers that are hanging from the main line. They whip and move unpredictably, snapping in the wind in whatnot and scare the birds away."

Millions of short-tailed albatross once lived in waters from Japan to Alaska. But by the early 1900s, hunters had killed most of them to use their colorful plumage in ladies hats. Today, only about 800 are left, but their numbers are steadily increasing, according to Rivera. Although the regulations are meant to help the albatross, other seabirds will benefit as well.

RIVERA: "In 1995, for instance, in the Gulf of Alaska, in observer samples, there were 352 birds total, taken. Northern fulmars were taken in the greatest amount, followed by albatross. In the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands there were 4,400 birds. Those were northern fulmars, followed up by gulls."

Fishermen say the steps they take now to help the short-tailed albatross survive will in the end also help them preserve their livelihoods.

OUTRO: For Arctic Science Journeys, this is Debra Damron reporting from Fairbanks, Alaska.