Seabirds
IUCN classification: Endangered or Vulnerable
- Dyer Island alone hosts over 29 different species of seabirds throughout an entire year, either for resting purposes during their migration routes or to nest and breed at.
- South Africa is considered the fourth most important coastal state for seabirds. This is because the oceans of South Africa contain lots of food and coastal islands for breeding (like Dyer).
- Many seabirds are long-lived, slow to breed, and have delayed sexual maturity. This “life history” makes them very vulnerable to disruptions in human form like pollution, by-catch, and over-fishing.
- Seabirds are considered the most threatened groups of animals by the WWF.
- 15 of the 24 endangered albatross and petrel species forage in South Africa's coastal waters.
- Albatrosses are the largest birds in the world, some with wingspans greater than 3.5m!
- The biggest threats to seabirds are “by-catch,” or being caught on accident while fishing for a target animal, and marine pollution. Many birds are drawn to the activity of fishing trawlers and end up tangled in nets when diving for fish. One trawling vessel alone can be responsible for hundreds of seabird deaths per trip.
