WWF has strongly supported this Agreement which takes a trans-national approach to protecting the globe trotting birds of the Southern Oceans, and aims 'to achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status for albatrosses and petrels. The Australian Government has led efforts to develop and finalize this Agreement both at international and national levels. Longline fishing is a major source of death for 12 of the 14 albatross species currently recognized. Longline fishing, primarily for tuna, attracts seabirds by providing a supply of food through thousands of baited hooks which are set off the stern of fishing vessels and trail behind the boats for up to 120km. Albatrosses and other seabirds dive or swoop on the bait, become hooked and are drowned when the baited lines sink.
Albatrosses have the highest proportion of threatened species of any bird family.
What is needed is full independent observer coverage on these vessels to ensure accurate reporting of seabird mortality so that the full extent of devastation is known. Nightsetting of baits when there is less interaction between birds and fishing vessels is now mandatory and other measures such as underwater bait delivery shoots must be tested, and introduced across the industry if found to be effective. The spill occurred when the Indonesian tanker, 'MT Endah Lestari' began listing shortly after leaving the Malaysian Port of Pasir Gudang early on Wednesday, local time. The tanker was carrying 600 tons of phenol, a corrosive chemical used to make plastics and pesticides. It's not yet clear how much of the tanker's colourless load, which dissolves in water, was spilt, but large numbers of dead fish have been seen in the area.