THE dreadful reality of the damage discarded marine nets can cause to wildlife was witnessed first-hand by a Kerry photographer who set out to capture some of the marine life and fauna of the Skelligs.
Lee Tiller accompanied ecotour boatman John O’Shea on the trip and as they got close to Little Skellig to capture images of the gannet colony breeding grounds, they were horrified by what they saw.
A distressed gannet was flapping about in the water, completely ensnared and tangled in a net, with its feet and wing completely tangled and the lower half of its bill snagged open by netting.
“Undoubtedly, this bird was going to drown. John masterfully manouvered his boat beside the terrified bird which attempted to take off several times in order to escape,” said Lee.
“I think on the fourth attempt one of our guests, armed with a long gaff, managed to hook the netting and haul the bird aboard,” he added.
The distressed gannet was cut free from its inevitable death trap and promptly released back to sea, scampering across the water before soaring up into the air.
“This one was lucky. How many others are not? I shudder to think,” said Lee, a gifted photographer who is based in Kenmare.
He said what was really extraordinary was the reaction of hundreds of other gannets that descended and circled the boat while the rescue was underway.
“I’ve often said that Little Skellig is like a snow globe – this time we were right in its centre and it was astonishing,” Lee added.
After they departed the Skellig Islands, the tour group sailed to Bull Rock where they were upset to discover that the discarded marine net problem was no better and in perhaps even worse with netting strewn all over the rocks where the gannets and other seabirds sit.
Pictures: Lee Tiller. Click on individual images for details
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