Recently I returned from my first trip working with the Albatross Task Force aboard the pelagic longline vessel “Maria Letícia”, from Torquato Pontes Fish Company. This boat sailed under captain Celso, a very experienced captain who specializes in catching tunas. Captain Celso has collaborated voluntarily with the Projeto Albatroz and Albatross Task Force since activities began in Brazil, allowing observers on board and using mitigation measures such as night setting and flying a tori line.
We left the Rio Grande harbor, in southern Brazil, in the early afternoon with very good weather (sunny and flat-calm sea conditions). We navigated to the fishing area which is located over the continental slope. During the first week of the trip the weather continued to be good. The nights were moonless and very dark, and as such the stars were very conspicuous and bright. The bioluminescence of the Noctiluca algae was strong and clear, creating a beautiful effect on the propeller turbulence. Sometimes I could also observe bright traces at the water surface where fast swimming penguins, fur seals or fishes passed.
During the trip I recorded 15 species of seabirds. The most abundant species were the Cape Petrel, Black-browed albatross, White-chinned petrel and Giant petrels, both Northern and Southern. Almost every day one or two Royal albatrosses (Northern and Southern) followed the vessel. I could see they were not always the same individuals by the different plumage stage. It was a surprise for me since the Wandering albatrosses are more common in the Brazilian sea than the Royals, but during this trip I saw the opposite. We also recorded Magellanic penguins, Fur seals, Common dolphins and Loggerhead turtles. One Loggerhead turtle was captured alive (caught by the flipper), and we returned it to the sea after loosening the hook line.
We started the trip setting up the tori line support pole for this new vessel so it was ready for use. In the total of seven sets we had used 7,200 hooks, and the only bird caught during this trip was a juvenile Black-browed albatross, caught alive as the fishing gear was hauled. The bird was carefully
released from the hook and returned to the water. Besides a superficial injury caused by the hook, the albatross flew away, apparently in a good state.
I saw another three albatrosses entangled in the fishing lines during the trip, although each was able to free itself from the line alone. Even so, this situation can easily cause serious injuries, especially broken wings and consequently prevent the animal from surviving at sea.
The Storm
On the seventh day at sea the weather began to deteriorate, and after the weather report announced strong winds (100 km/h) and big waves (6-7 meters) almost all boats fishing in southern Brazil returned to the harbours. However, our vessel and another two continued fishing. One of them was captained by Juninho, Celso’s son.
Sure enough, the next day the waves crashed in over 7 meters high and the winds blew stronger than 80 km/h. At about 3 pm, Juninho called Celso by radio and explained that his hull was damaged, a lot of water was leaking in the boat, and the engine room was already flooded. Moreover, the strong winds had broken the GPS antennas. As a result Juninho didn’t know their position and had no way of navigating back to port. Celso needed to rescue his son and their crew! He found the position of the “Maria” by calling the Brazilian Program of Satellite Tracking for Fishing Boats (PREPS) from the Ministry of Fisheries. After some adjustments to the bridge equipment, and more than five hours navigating in the storm, we found the “Maria” and escorted them back to Rio Grande harbour.
By the end of the trip everything turned out ok, and fortunately everybody returned safety to the port. I brought home a bit more experience from this trip and the happiness for having the opportunity to appreciate the grace of the albatrosses flying in perfect tune with the wild seas.
Best regards!
Dimas