One of the most significant threats to seabirds is the incidental capture in fishing operations, also known as bycatch. However there are simple and effective measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of fisheries on seabirds, including the use of hook-shielding devices. In today’s blog, Andrea Angel, Albatross Task Force Manager from BirdLife South Africa, explains how the Albatross Task Force team in South Africa are working with fishers to trial the use of hook-shielding devices to keep seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels, safe from bycatch.
Globally, a third of all seabird species are under threat of extinction, with approximately half of all seabird species showing declines in population numbers. One of the leading causes of seabird mortality is bycatch in longline fisheries.
Seabirds, in particular albatrosses and petrels, are attracted to the bait used by fisheries and end up drowning as a result of swallowing baited hooks. While albatrosses are surface feeders, some petrel and shearwater species can dive to depths of 20m to chase prey below the water.
Albatrosses are surface feeders (as shown here) whereas some petrel and shearwater species can dive to depths of 20m or more in search of food. © RSPB (rspb-images.com).
Reducing the risk of bycatchMeasures to reduce seabird bycatch have developed over the past two decades. For boats that use baited hooks deployed on longlines to catch tuna and swordfish, measures include setting lines at night when seabirds are less active, adding weights to hook lines to reduce the amount of time hooks are accessible to seabirds, and deploying a bird-scaring line to prevent seabirds from entering the area where hooks sink. When used in combination, these measures reduce bycatch to minimal levels. However, using all three in combination requires a change in practices onboard and fishers often resist using the measures due to beliefs that they impact catch or endanger crew.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of a new measure, it is good practice to test it at-sea under commercial fishing conditions alongside the standard gear normally used. This gives industry and government the confidence to adopt new practices in the fishery.
The HookpodThe Hookpod was developed to be a stand-alone mitigation measure, integrating weight at the hook where it is most effective and eliminating the need for night-setting and the use of a bird-scaring line.
A baited hook enclosed within a Hookpod during line setting operations. © BirdLife South Africa.
The Hookpod is known as a “hook-shielding device” which encloses the point and barb of a baited hook to protect seabirds during setting operations. A pressure-sensitive release mechanism releases the hook when it reaches a depth of 20m which is beyond the dive depth of most seabirds. This design means the Hookpod significantly reduces the risk of seabirds swallowing or accessing the baited hooks until they have sunk safely out of reach.
There are different versions of the Hookpod available depending on the preference of fishing captains. The Hookpod-mini is the smallest version which comes without the option of an integrated LED light. This is being trialled in South Africa by the Albatross Task Force team based in Cape Town in close collaboration with a pelagic longline vessel owner. The objective of the trials is to assess if the Hookpod-mini is a viable option for use in the South Africa tuna and swordfish fishery.
The Hookpod is known as a “hook-shielding device” which encloses the point and barb of a baited hook to protect seabirds during setting operations. A pressure-sensitive release mechanism releases the hook when it reaches a depth of 20m which is beyond the dive depth of most seabirds. © Hookpod Ltd.
Fishing captains need to feel comfortable with any new mitigation measure (Hookpod-mini in this case) before they can be adopted as part of the daily routine. This requires careful demonstration and practice by the crew to get used to the Hookpod design and function and the necessary adaptations to their routine when setting and hauling the line.
Longline operations are complex with a lot of moving parts as hook lines need to be uncoiled, baited, attached to the main line and cast out – all in 9-second intervals! Some captains also add a disposable chemical light stick to attract fish, which also takes time. Buoys and radio beacons are also added at regular spacing along the 60 km of main line so it can be found again a few hours later when it’s time to start hauling in the catch.
Waiting for the word GO! It takes a coordinated effort to ensure all goes smoothly while setting 60km of longline with over 1,500 hooks attached. © BirdLife South Africa.
Trialling the Hookpod-miniIn March, the Albatross Task Force team joined the vessel in the harbour as it prepared to leave for the first trial trip. The team worked with the crew fitting the Hookpod-minis for several hours before Reason Nyengera, our Albatross Task Force instructor, left with the vessel to work with the skipper and crew in trialling the Hookpod-minis.
A setting bin with branchlines fitted with Hookpod-minis ready for deployment. © BirdLife South Africa.
A longline trip lasts around five to seven days, as fish catch is kept on ice and is brought back to harbour quickly to ensure it is as fresh as possible. It is hard work onboard a fishing vessel, as sleeping quarters are inevitably small and it takes time to adapt to life at sea and a work routine when everything is rolling with the swell of the ocean. Reason is an old hand at this and collects excellent data on the performance of the Hookpod-minis as well as recording everything caught on lines set with Hookpod-minis as well as those set with standard gear.
To date, five trips have been carried out with a total of just over 38,000 hooks set. This is just the start of a longer process, where the gear will be tested and adjusted over several months. One of the challenges the team has encountered seem to be related to the strong currents in South Africa where the mighty Atlantic and Indian oceans collide. It was found that both standard lines and those with Hookpod-minis entangled, but that entanglements are occurring more on Hookpod-mini lines. This is why trials are necessary, and why they are conducted with the cooperation of commercial fishers as they are the best placed to identify how best to incorporate seabird bycatch measures into their routine. They are no more interested in catching birds than our team is, so getting this to work is a win-win situation for them and the birds.
Future plansThe Albatross Task Force team is working with the captain to test the Hookpod-minis with additional weight to combat the strong currents, which was successful in Brazil where a similar fishing gear and operation is used. If this is the case, then the heavier Hookpod with the integrated LED light might be the best option for this fishery and would have the additional bonus of replacing the need for disposable chemical light sticks.
Working with fishers requires understanding what matters to them, and conducting trials is an important part of finding solutions and compromises that are acceptable for everyone. South Africa has mandatory night-setting regulations which some fishers argue negatively impact them, as they want to be able to fish during the day. The Hookpod-mini would allow that and may be the best option. So, while setbacks are inevitable when working in unpredictable oceanic conditions, the team is hopeful that hook shielding devices will have a future in South Africa.
Fishing crew and Albatross Task Force team (Andrea Angel and Reason Nyengera) preparing for Hookpod-mini trials. © BirdLife South Africa.
The BirdLife International Marine ProgrammeThe BirdLife International Marine Programme, hosted by the RSPB, is dedicated to the protection of seabirds and the wider preservation of marine ecosystems. Through collaboration with a global partnership the programme conducts important research on seabirds and marine ecosystems, identifying conservation needs and coordinating grass roots action. As a team, they support design and designation of protected areas, advocate for sustainable fisheries, and take action to reduce seabird bycatch. The programme empowers local communities in conservation efforts, and their global collaboration ensures a coordinated approach to marine conservation worldwide.
Hookpod Ltd Hookpod Ltd. is a private company which has been established by a small group of shareholders with the aim of eliminating seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries.
The BirdLife International Marine Programme, hosted by the RSPB, is dedicated to the protection of seabirds and the wider preservation of marine ecosystems. © RSPB (rspb-images.com).
Continue reading• On a mission to protect seabirds from bycatch in fisheries: an interview with Yasuko Suzuki • World Seabird Day – protecting biodiversity in the High Seas • World Tuna Day 2023 - how seabird safe is the tuna we eat? • A view from the waves – how we’re working with retailers to make seafood safer for seabirds
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