Pablo Yorio, Cristian Marinao, Nicolás Suárez, Kelp Gulls (Larus
dominicanus) killed and injured by discarded monofilament lines at a
marine recreational fishery in northern Patagonia, Marine Pollution
Bulletin, Volume 85, Issue 1, 15 August 2014, Pages 186-189, ISSN
0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.052.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14003439)
Abstract: Among marine debris, monofilament fishing lines often result
in negative impacts on marine organisms. We characterized marine debris
and incidence of lost and discarded monofilament lines along beaches
used by recreational fishers, and report the impact of lines on Kelp
Gulls (Larus dominicanus) at the Bahía San Blas protected area, site of
one of the main shore-based recreational fisheries of the southwestern
Atlantic. Over 55% of the marine debris recorded originated from
recreational fishing activities. Balls of tangled monofilament lines
were found at a rate of 40.5 items per km. A total of 27 adult Kelp
Gulls were found entangled with monofilament. All individuals were
tangled to vegetation within colony boundaries. Four of the gulls had a
monofilament line protruding from the bill, showing that they may be
also killed when trying to obtain bait. Our results indicate that lost
or discarded monofilament lines in the Bahía San Blas recreational
fishing area result in undesired impacts on coastal wildlife.
Keywords: Monofilament fishing lines; Marine debris; Kelp Gull; Wildlife
mortality; Recreational fisheries; Bahía San Blas