Scientists, researchers and professional fishermen have been keeping an eye on the flesh-footed shearwaters which recently arrived back on the islands in King George Sound.

They had travelled thousands of kilometres from the northern hemisphere to court and breed.

Researchers recently banded more than 500 birds on Breaksea Island in an effort to track their movements and mortality rates.

“These birds can live for over 30 years, but only lay a single white egg per pair, per year – so each bird is important,” said researcher Dr Chris Powell.

The birds feed entirely at sea on small fish and invertebrates. They return daily after dusk to breeding colonies on islands.

South Coast purse seine fishermen have been proactive in taking up a number of techniques to help protect the birds in recent years.

The professional fishermen have used mitigation methods including an independent observer program, the use of net tension management, dawn fishing closures, and some experimental deterrents such as shark oil and sprayed water.

They have been supported by OceanWatch Australia through its SeaNet Program, the WA Fishing Industry Council Inc (WAFIC), Murdoch University and South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc.

Competition for pilchards and risk of entanglements in King George Sound is most intense in autumn when high densities of parent birds are taking turns feeding their growing chick.

OceanWatch Australia (OWA) is a national, environmental, not-for-profit company that works to achieve sustainability in the Australian Seafood Industry.

The recent approval of a research project co-funded by the WAFIC and South Coast NRM made it possible for researchers to band mutton birds in King George Sound.