Injuries from hooks and fishing lines (accidental capture by longline)
The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is a large seabird that readily follows fishing boats to feed on bait or discarded fish. \nWhen setting longlines (long lines equipped with numerous baited hooks), the bird can swallow a hook while...
What is it?
The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is a large seabird that readily follows fishing boats to feed on bait or discarded fish. \nWhen setting longlines (long lines equipped with numerous baited hooks), the bird can swallow a hook while trying to grab the bait, or find itself hooked by a wing, a leg or the beak by the line itself. \nThis accidental capture, called “bycatch” in English, is one of the main causes of unnatural mortality in this endangered species. \nIt causes injuries that can range from a simple superficial wound to immediate drowning if the bird is dragged underwater by the weighted line.
Key point
Accidental capture by longline is one of the main threats to the survival of the wandering albatross, a species classified as vulnerable on a global scale. Immediate drowning is common and prevents any veterinary intervention.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
The signs depend on the location of the injury. \nA swallowed hook can cause difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, refusal to eat and depression. \nA hook stuck in the beak, leg or wing causes a visible wound, sometimes local swelling and lameness or inability to fly. \nA line wrapped around the body can cut off blood circulation and cause swelling or necrosis of the limb. \nIn severe cases, the bird is dragged underwater by the weight of the line and the hook, which can cause drowning even before any possible intervention. \nA bird brought back alive often presents a state of extreme fatigue, dehydration and marked depression.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The injury is caused by the ingestion of a baited hook or by the physical entanglement of a part of the body (beak, wing, leg, neck) in a fishing line, most often during pelagic or demersal longline fishing operations. \nThe wandering albatross is particularly exposed because it dives at the surface to catch bait as the lines are put into the water, before they sink beyond its reach.
The scavenging behavior of the species around fishing vessels, the absence of bird-scaring devices on boats, the laying of lines during the day rather than at night, and the absence of sufficient ballast for hooks (which then remain on the surface for a long time) greatly increase the risk of accidental capture. \nInexperienced young birds and periods of high fishing activity in the species' feeding areas are also aggravating factors.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The diagnosis is established by a complete clinical examination upon recovery of the bird, including the search for any visible or palpable hook or line fragment. \nAn x-ray allows you to locate a hook that has been swallowed or lodged deep in the tissues, and to assess possible internal damage. \nA general assessment (hydration, state of breathing, weight) is essential because these birds are often exhausted when they are taken into care.
Treatment
The treatment is surgical in the majority of cases: removal of the hook under anesthesia, sometimes requiring an endoscopy or an intervention if the hook is lodged in the digestive tract. \nAntibiotic treatment may be necessary to prevent wound infection, combined with species-appropriate painkillers. \nSupportive fluid therapy is often essential to correct dehydration. \nRehabilitation before release (recovery of flight, waterproofing of plumage) is an essential step before any return to the natural environment.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Prevention is primarily based on measures applied by the fisheries themselves: laying lines at night, quickly weighting hooks to make them sink faster, using bird-scaring lines (“tori lines”), and avoiding the release of bait while laying the lines. \nThese measures, recommended by fisheries management organizations and international agreements for the conservation of albatrosses and petrels, significantly reduce the rate of accidental capture. \nThere is no individual prevention possible on the bird side; protection of the species depends on responsible fishing practices.
Possible complications
Possible complications include infection of the wound, perforation or digestive obstruction by the hook, necrosis of a limb from stricture of the line, and drowning at sea before any possibility of rescue. \nIncomplete healing of the beak or wing can permanently compromise the bird's ability to fly or feed.
When to see a veterinarian
Discovery of an albatross with a visible hook or line wrapped around its body.\n Bird unable to fly or move normally after interaction with a fishing vessel.\n Presence of excessive salivation, refusal to feed, or swelling around the beak or neck.\n Any visible wound, regardless of size, in a seabird recovered alive.
Prognosis
The prognosis strongly depends on the location of the injury and the time taken to treat it. \nA superficial injury treated quickly has a favorable prognosis. \nA swallowed and deeply lodged hook, or an old wound that is already infected, clearly darkens the prognosis. \nThe vast majority of birds captured at sea are never recovered alive, which makes the overall mortality linked to this phenomenon very high at the population level.
Frequently asked questions
Can an albatross injured by a hook be treated?
Yes, if the bird is recovered alive and quickly taken care of by a structure specializing in marine wildlife. Surgical removal of the hook and supportive care often results in recovery, but the prognosis depends on the severity and location of the injury.
Why are albatross so affected by longline fishing?
They follow fishing boats to feed on bait and discarded fish. In attempting to catch bait as the lines are set, they sometimes swallow the hooks or get stuck on them.
Are there measures to avoid these captures?
Yes, several measures exist: laying the lines at night, weighting the hooks so that they sink faster, and using bird scaring devices on ships. These practices greatly reduce the risk.
What to do if you find an albatross injured by a fishing line?
You must contact a wildlife protection organization or a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals as quickly as possible, without trying to remove the hook yourself, as this can aggravate the injury.
References
WOAH — Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (ex-OIE)
FAO — Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 03 September 2026
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