Three rescued gulls died due to complications caused by fishhooks embedded in their bodies.“It’s really disheartening to see them in that condition. They can’t hydrate, hunt or eat,” says Native Bird Rescue’s Karen Saunders. Photos Native Bird Rescue

Those out fishing this summer are urged not to discard fishhooks, lines and nets that can become death traps for seabirds.

The plea comes from Waiheke’s Native Bird Rescue after the charity recently treated five seabirds with serious hook injuries. The rescue centre’s Karen Saunders says two pied shags and three gulls were rescued from Oneroa, Shelly Beach and Little Oneroa. A pied shag seen hooked at Orapiu could not be captured.

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