Home / Environment / Clever Kite and Eye Buoys Cut Bird Bycatch by 71%
Clever Kite and Eye Buoys Cut Bird Bycatch by 71%
2 Oct
Summary
- Eye buoy reduced auk bycatch by 59%; kite reduced it by 71%.
- Trial involved 10 fishermen and 1,057 fishing nets.
- Deterrents could protect seabirds without major gear changes.
A recent trial in the waters off south-west England has demonstrated the effectiveness of simple deterrents in reducing fishing net bycatch for seabirds. Researchers found that a "Looming Eye Buoy," designed to appear threatening with animated eyes, reduced the risk of auk bycatch by 59%. A commercially available kite, resembling a bird of prey, proved even more successful, cutting bycatch by 71%.
The two-year study, conducted between October 2023 and March 2025, involved 10 commercial fishermen and monitored 1,057 fishing nets. The devices were attached to modified fishing buoys, and their performance was compared to untreated nets. While both deterrents showed significant success, the kite was more effective at closer distances, whereas the buoy's influence extended over a broader area.
Further analysis indicated that bycatch rates were highest during January and February, particularly when targeting European sea bass and Atlantic mackerel with nets of specific mesh sizes. This suggests that deterrents could be deployed more selectively during high-risk periods, optimizing conservation efforts and minimizing additional work for fishermen.
Participating fishermen provided valuable feedback, highlighting the need for lighter deployment equipment and stronger kite materials. The study concludes that these above-water deterrents are relatively simple, low-cost solutions adaptable to existing fishing equipment, offering a promising avenue for protecting vulnerable seabird populations.
