Hookpod testing well underway

Since the last update when the hookpods and ProGlow LED lights were on their way to Brazil, we have made considerable progress. It took much longer than expected to get the materials out of Brazilian customs due to bureaucratic delays and taxation issues. But, we finally managed to get the hookpods and lights to the port where they were deployed onto vessels for testing. 

Albatross Task Force instructor Augusto Costa is currently at sea conducting the tests, and we are looking forward to his reports of how they are performing, and importantly how the fishing crew are getting on with them. 

The objective of the tests  is to evaluate the performance of hookpods under commercial fishing conditions in the Brazilian pelagic longline fleet. The specific objectives include comparing the catch of target fish species and seabird mortality, plus durability of Hookpods and ProGlow lights for two independent treatments:

Treatment 1.

Branch lines set with hook pods placed at 3.5 m from the hook, a 15 g lead and a non-weighted swivel placed directly below the pod.

Treatment 2.

Branch lines set with hook pods placed at 3.5 m from the hook, 17g Proglow light and a non-weighted swivel placed directly below the pod.

Once these results start coming in, we will report our results here.