Out of 21 albatross species, 19 face the threat of going extinct because of longline fishing operations. ‘But not if I have anything to do with it,” Samantha declares. This sea-girl from Cape Town will go to any length to save her birds, and not even the roughest seas will deter her from her mission.
Most of her time is spent assessing which bird species get caught and under what conditions. Through her research, she explores ways to reduce this unnecessary mortality and raise awareness about the plight of albatrosses.
Working at sea, Samantha not only has to battle against harsh sea conditions but also the male-dominated fishing industry. Even though she’s often the only woman on board, she doesn’t bat an eyelid.
‘This can be hard at times, but it’s a small price to pay to protect these amazing birds. It’s my dream to ensure both the survival of our seabirds and the sustainability of our fisheries.”
Samantha hopes every fisherman will realise why it is vital to look after all seabirds. ‘I hope my passion and enthusiasm will be contagious. By finding practical solutions, we can tackle this problem together.”