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Scare Devices Slash Bird Deaths in Fishing Nets
1 Oct
Summary
- Simple deterrents reduce seabird bycatch by about two-thirds.
- Looming-eyes buoy and kites significantly cut bird entanglement.
- Study helps target seasonal mitigation for vulnerable seabird populations.
Simple deterrents have significantly reduced the number of razorbills and guillemots trapped underwater in fishing nets. A two-year study conducted by Cornish fishers and scientists tested devices like bird-shaped kites and a "looming-eyes buoy" to scare diving birds away from gillnets.
The trial, analyzed by the University of Exeter, demonstrated a substantial decrease in seabird bycatch. Using looming-eyes buoys (LEBs) led to a 59% reduction, while scarybird kites achieved a 71% reduction in entanglement. This indicates that practical, simple solutions can greatly mitigate the accidental capture of diving birds.
Further analysis revealed that most seabird captures in Cornwall occur during winter. This finding is crucial for targeting the deployment of deterrent devices seasonally. Researchers believe this targeted approach offers a clear opportunity to maximize conservation benefits for vulnerable seabird populations and encourage more sustainable fishing methods.
