Our first results are in from Brazil- and they look promising!
Since late May we have been testing Hookpods and ProGlow lights in the Brazilian pelagic longline fleet. The specific objectives of our project included comparing the catch rate of target fish species and seabirds, and monitoring the durability of Hookpods and the ProGlow LED lights, as an alternative to disposable chemical lights sticks.
Our Albatross Task Force instructors have so far conducted three back-to-back trips on the study vessel, and have witnessed over 15,000 hooks being set and hauled. On each trip the instructor is out on deck, no matter the weather, to watch the fishers setting the line. Each hook is baited and is then inserted into a Hookpod, before being deployed overboard. Half of the hooks also have an LED light attached to the line, which is designed to attract fish. This is the first time they have been tested in a commercial fishery.
Our initial findings are due to be presented to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) Seabird Bycatch Working Group in September. This group encompasses the World's experts in seabird bycatch and is an important step in getting our results recognised, and recommendations made for Best Practice techniques for reducing seabird bycatch.
Our initial results indicate that using ProwGlow lights increases the number of fish caught- which is a bonus for fishers, whilst also drastically reducing plastic waste. The seabird bycatch rate has been very low- with only one bird killed so far on 15,000 hooks; this is a reduction of almost 90% compared to what we would expect in this fishery for this time of year.
The Hookpods have been have been performing well with less than 1% being damaged, which is an acceptable rate of damage for the fishery.
Most importantly the crew and captain of the vessel have shown a high level of acceptance of both Hookpods and ProGlows. On seeing the equipment the first impressions of the crew were not positive. They are experienced working in a set way and the changes to fit Hookpods and lights on the line did not interest them. They also had concerns that Hookpods may not open to release the hook, and that the new equipment could increase entanglements of the line.
Despite these concerns, after the first day fishing the crew noted that the new equipment stowed perfectly in the bins they use to hold the hooks, and the Hookpod fitted easily into line setting and hauling operations. The Hookpod therefore was readily accepted by the crew and skipper, and did not interfere with or delay the fishing operations.
We still need to complete more trips over the next few months to build up a larger sample size, to be able to conclusively report on the effectiveness of Hookpods and ProGlows. However our initial results have left us feeling cautiously optimistic, as the words of Augusto Costa, Albatross Task Force Instructor demonstrate: "The Hookpods are performing very well, the crew are handling the new equipment with ease, and the captain has expressed his approval of both the Hookpods and ProGlow lights." Once again we'd like to reiterate that this work has only been possible due to the generous donations we received from our project backers. Your support is actually saving the lives of seabirds (including albatross) right now off the coast of Brazil- thank you!
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