Albatros research fishermen

When the driver saw the white dot he went full speed towards it. As the tiny boat got closer, the spot grew bigger, a massive bird larger than a turkey sitting on the ocean. Seeing danger approaching, the albatross opens its wings and deploys at the same time its real glory. But to no avail, there is no wind, the giant cannot take off and remains a sitting duck. It is no trouble for Lindsay Smith to catch him with a small net. After measurements and other blood sampling to monitor various parameters and know altogether more about the conservation biology of the species, the individual already banded 20 years ago will be released.

              SOSSA Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association is made up of very keen amateurs who spend most of their time working on the marine life just off the coast of Wollongong. Their projects have been going on for more than 40 years during which the populations of their major research, the albatross, crashed due to long line fisheries practice. That was very well monitored by their banding records, the only one operating out of the breeding grounds. Indeed they are very fortunate to live in the only area in the world where these pelagic birds come to the coast.