ANGLER'S
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
SEABIRD PROTECTION

Why Protect Seabirds ?

• Seabirds are an important part of the marine environment.
• Seabirds generally feed on bait fish and are not competing with sport fishermen.
• Some seabirds are ENDANGERED or THREATENED; of particular concern in          California are the
  • CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN
  • CALIFORNIA LEAST TERN

  • MARBLED MURRELET

• Seabirds, especially young pelicans, are particularly susceptible to being hooked or entangled by fishing line.

How YOU Can Protect Seabirds?

• Don't let seabirds grab your bait, watch your bait all the time, and look carefully before you cast and retrieve your line.
• If fishing from a boat, don't begin chumming if seabirds are nearby.
• Don't leave fishing lines unattended or reeled up with bait dangling from the hook.
• Don't foul your line around telephone or electric wires; dangling hooks are a hazard to seabirds.
• Don't throw fishing line into the water; even small amounts can tangle a bird (throwing plastic into the ocean is illegal).

• Avoid roosting and nesting areas - disturbing birds may cause them to ABANDON their nest.

Note: West Anacapa Island is the major Brown Pelican nesting colony in California and has a NESTING AREA CLOSURE (JAN 1 - OCT 31) that extends offshore to a depth of 120 feet on the north (landward) shore.

If YOU Hook a Bird

• Don't Cut or break the Line; it could be lethal to the bird, due to entanglement and starvation.

• Get ASSISTANCE - Seabirds can be very DANGEROUS;  PECKING AT YOUR FACE AND EYES IS A COMMON DEFENSE.

  • STEP 1    Bring the bird in slowly and gently. Don't lift the bird by the line and use a dip net if available.  If you are on a pier walk the line to shore, or use a hoop net positioned under the bird to lift it.
  • STEP 2    Get control of bird's BILL before taking it from the net.  Cover its head and eyes with a cloth to calm it (do not obstruct breathing), and keep the wings folded in their normal closed position.
  • STEP 3    Always maintain control of  the bird's head and body.
  • STEP 4    Remove hook & ALL line - NEVER pull the hook directly out; cut off the barb first.  Then release bird carefully.

  • STEP 5    Call the local Game Warden if the bird is seriously injured or deeply hooked.  While waiting, cut the line and keep the bird restrained.

  If YOU See Harassment of Seabirds

• Explain why birds should not be harassed.  If the offender continues to harass the bird after your warning, call the local Game Warden or 1 (800) 952-5400 - TOLL FREE for the California Dept. of Fish & Game - CalTIP.  

DO NOT TRY TO CAPTURE INJURED BIRDS;
call the appropriate resource agency for help.

IT IS BETTER TO AVOID HOOKING SEABIRDS
THAN TO HAVE TO RESCUE ONE

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service
National Marine Fisheries Service

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	Marine Recreational Fisheries Program
	Habitat Conservation Division
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