In the first six months of the fishing season, I have mainly been focussed on getting the mitigation research plan up and running for the pelagic longline fishery. This fleet targets swordfish from the port of Coquimbo and currently includes seven vessels.
The research plan has the comparison of two bird-scaring line designs as its main objective, whilst at the same time we are taking the opportunity to get the fishermen used to these newly improved devices in all their fishing operations.
We are carrying out this work together with scientific observers from the Chilean Fishery Institute (IFOP). They are responsible for the monitoring the fisheries along the length of the Chilean coast. We have had total support from the fishermen and the professional approach from the observers gives us a lot of confidence about the quality of the information we are collecting.
I have just got back from a meeting with the observer who will work onboard the FV Vama II, a fishing vessel that has had few fishing trips this year but appears to be ready to head to the high seas.
My work has consisted in preparing the observers with the seabird protocols designed for the experiments and onboard observations, sorting the forms and equipment necessary to complete the work. Our work is based on the design used by Washington Sea Grant for the Alaskan fishery in the North Pacific.
My time has also been spent with the captains and crew in the port, which has been really important to ensure the officials and managers of the observers in Valparaiso are kept in touch with our movements in Coquimbo. This has mainly involved meetings and the preparation of agreements between us to help keep a collaborative momentum in Chile.
It is important to highlight that the collaborative work between the Albatross Task Force and IFOP has generated a mutual interest in creating a strategic alliance. This will not just work with mitigation aboard vessels in the pelagic fleet but also with other fleets that may present levels of seabird bycatch along the lengthy coastline of Chile.