Each year thousands of seabirds are accidentally killed while foraging behind fishing vessels in the world’s oceans. Thanks to a device known as a bird scaring line, which is flown behind vessels to protect the danger areas, seabird bycatch has been reduced in some fisheries by up to 90%.
Ocean View is a coastal village near Cape Point where there is a very high level of unemployment, due in some ways to the demise of the line-fishing industry. Within this community is the Ocean View Association for Persons with Disabilities (OVAPD) who indicated a willingness to become involved in the manufacture of bird scaring lines. This association provides disabled people from in and around the local community with a place where they can interact, learn skills and even make a small income.
This project which was first started in 2006, aimed at providing fishing industries with bird scaring lines at an affordable cost, while at the same time providing up-lifting employment to individuals in a fairly impoverished community. In 2011, BirdLife South Africa assumed responsibility for managing the project when a second round of funding was received from Total South Africa.
In just under a year the centre has produced over 65 bird scaring lines which are used in both the longline and trawl fisheries. It takes the small team of ten people just over an hour to construct one line. A variety of materials are used to create the lines including cable ties, garden hose, rope and plastic strapping. The lines are sold to fishing companies, with a small proportion of the money being given back to the Ocean View Centre.
Each year, we like to thank the team for all their hard work and take them on an excursion that somehow links to the marine environment or the project itself. Thanks to Circe Launches in Hout Bay who provided discounted tickets, and Total South Africa for the financial support of the project, many of the team got to experience their first trip onboard a boat out to sea. We took the team to see Seal Island followed by a delicious lunch. Each team member was awarded with a certificate and a gift pack to end the day on a high. We were also fortunate enough to have two journalists join us for the day and record some of the events.
A day out for the team is something they treasure and look forward to for the entire year. They show such enthusiasm and give 100% of their effort into the construction of each and every line. This project is an excellent example of an environmental NGO, a community centre, large commercial fishing companies and a corporate sponsor all work together towards a common goal!
The image below displays Ross Wanless, BirdLife South Africa, helping build bird scaring lines with the team from Ocean View Centre.