sentinel

@Matt Trujillo Photography: Nothing that sinister Matt. It is simply a loose loop that is slipped over the bird's head to keep him in the boat when the fisherman changes position, so he won't get lost. (You can't see it all as iit is hidden under the plumage.) The fisherman slips it off and the bird is free to go at will when they stop to go fishing.
I am glad I went out with this fisherman because I always thought using cormorants to fish was rather cruel. I thought they had a noose around their neck that did not allow them to feed. In reality these birds were this man's working pets. They craved and got lots of his affection. The bird does have a collar around its neck (you cannot see it) that allows him to swallow fish but does not allow him to swallow quite large fish. These he happily regurgitates for the fisherman in exchange for a smaller fish and a cuddle. I am sure not all are as kind to their animals as this fisherman was. Unfortunately this is so for many pets.