Unusual deaths of large cormorants on the coast of Chabaksar

Expert of the National Research Institute of Oceanography: The possibility of birds dying due to getting stuck in fishing nets
58 The carcass of the great cormorant (Qaraghaz) in history 28 December 1404 During a field visit to the ocean beach of Chabaksar, Gilan province, an active fishing pole was identified near it..

Reza Rahnama, an expert of the National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences, who visited the site of the accident, confirmed this.: Preliminary investigations show that the scattering of carcasses near the feather net and the absence of visible signs of disease, poisoning or deliberate hunting strengthen the possibility of a common factor in the death of these birds..

According to this expert, the most probable scenario is cormorants getting caught in fishing nets and dying from suffocation. The guide explained about this: Cormorants are piscivorous and diving birds that may inadvertently enter nets while feeding in coastal areas and active fishing grounds. This type of net has a high risk for diving birds due to its large size, density of the net and long time spent in the water.

He added emphasizing the ecological role of this species:Cormorants are part of the food chain of the Caspian Sea and play a role in regulating the fish population. The collective loss of these birds can be a warning sign of the increasing pressure of human activities on the biodiversity of coastal areas..

This expert of the National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences stated at the same time: In this case, no intentional violation or negligence on the part of local fishermen is assumed, and the fishing community is considered one of the main beneficiaries of the Caspian Sea ecosystem. However, the absence of some technical measures to reduce bycatch of birds can lead to unintended losses..

In the end, the guide emphasized the need to take preventive measures and said:
Using low-risk deterrent tools for birds on fly nets, continuous monitoring of fishing areas during the seasons of migratory birds, training the fishing community and conducting joint studies between responsible institutions can play an effective role in reducing the recurrence of such events..