Interesting,
There is a similar case from South Africa and it is having serious proven
effects on survival of Cape Gannets. Because of competition from pilchard and
anchovy vessels, the birds have become accustomed to feeding on readily
available discards from other trawlers. Sadly, the energy in the flesh of the
discarded fish is much lower than their natural prey of pilchard and anchovy.
The latter are filter-feeders, hence lower trophic level. As a rule of thumb,
every step up the trophic level (as one animal eats another), you lose 90% of
the energy. Anyway, the consequence is rampant breeding failure amongst Cape
Gannets, that need 30% more energy during chick-rearing than at other times.
They are calling it 'Seabird Junk Food'.
Very worrying indeed.
Simon.
> From:
> To:
> Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:56:02 +1000
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Some North Sea Gannets may be dependent on fishing
> discards
>
> see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100322101521.htm
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> birding-aus.blogspot.com
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