Date:  17 November 2008 

Three devices to reduce the number of seabirds accidentally killed and injured in commercial fisheries were showcased at an international workshop hosted by Southern Seabird Solutions Trust last week in Nelson.  The workshop was attended by representatives from the fishing industry, government, conservation organisations, eco-tour operators and Maori interests.  Participants came from New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina and the United Kingdom.

Seabirds, especially albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, are often attracted to fishing vessels to feed on bait or discards and offal.  Tens of thousands of seabirds are killed and injured in the southern hemisphere each year on longline hooks, trawl cables, and trawl nets.

During the workshop participants learned about three new mitigation devices that may each play a vital role in reducing the accidental captures of seabirds in specific fisheries.  

“Fishermen are very practical people and when they heard about the new devices they immediately started discussing how they could adapt them for their fisheries,” said Southern Seabird Solutions Trust Convenor Janice Molloy.  

The Smart Hook from Australia is in the final research and development stages and is expected to be on the market in mid-2009.  The system was demonstrated by its inventor Hans Jusseit who is an ex-tuna longline fisherman.  The Smart Hook is a modified hook with a shield that stops seabirds and turtles from getting hooked and was recently chosen as the winner of Australia’s ABC “New Inventors”.   

Professor Carlos Moreno of Chile talked about the Cachaloteras which he developed with Chilean fishermen to stop whales from taking fish off of longline hooks.  The Cacheloteras ensures that fishermen don’t lose their catch to whales and as an added bonus eliminates accidental seabird captures.

Closer to home, New Zealand fisherman John Bennett discussed a brand new mitigation measure called the Kiwi Longline Setting Tunnel.  The “tunnel” was part of an overall retrofit of the Antarctic Chieftain.  It has been designed to release baited hooks closer to the water’s surface to reduce seabird interactions.  The tunnel has already been trialled at sea, but will get an extended workout when the Antarctic Chieftain fishes in the Antarctic next month.  

Ross Tocker, Sealord’s General Manager International Fishing, says “New Zealanders have been at the forefront of developing ways to reduce seabird bycatch.  The tunnel is just one of a long line of mitigation devices that Kiwi fishermen have been behind.  And based on the experience, know-how and enthusiasm of the people who attended the Trust’s workshop last week it wouldn’t surprise me if three or four new mitigation ideas weren’t already in the works.” 

Molloy adds, “There are some really good news stories where we know seabird fishing fleets, companies and individual fishermen are already taking the steps necessary to reduce seabird deaths and injuries.  These steps complement and reinforce the work being undertaken and implemented by government.

“Alongside other groups’ activities to reduce other risks to seabirds, the engagement of the fishing industry in addressing fishing-related issues makes the future more hopeful for seabirds.”

The Southern Seabird Solutions Trust is supported financially by the Department of Conservation, and the fishing industry through the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council and the Deepwater Group Ltd.  The Trust is also supported by WWF-New Zealand.  Funding for the Trust’s projects comes from a variety of sources, both within and outside New Zealand, and includes financial contributions from supporters, grants, sponsorship and services in kind. 

Release ends

Background information

Southern Seabird Solutions was established to promote fishing practices that avoid seabird deaths in southern hemisphere fisheries. It is an alliance of the government, seafood industry, environmental groups and Maori interests working together to solve the incidental capture of seabirds during longline and trawl fishing.