Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'

Fish-e-Fax Issue 202, 16 August 2007

Responsible fishing to protect wildlife

Fifteen years of rescues and research by Australian Seabird Rescue teams has revealed that 94 per cent of fishing-related injuries on sea and shorebirds are caused by anglers accidentally hooking a bird when they are fishing and to a lesser extent, by un-attended set lines. Historically, it was believed that the most common cause of injury to wildlife was discarded line, which rescue teams have found to be related to only 6 per cent of injuries.

• Cast away from foraging birds;
• Use barbless hooks, where possible;
• Not leave lines unattended;
• Collect all rubbish and tackle and dispose of it correctly; and
• Report any injured animals to Help of Wildlife on 0417 380 687 or Wildlife Victoria on 0500 540 000.