Introducing Projeto Albatroz

 

Who are we?

Projeto Albatroz is a non-governmental organization started in 1991,  that aims to reduce the unintentional capture by fisheries of albatrosses and petrels, that is threatening seabirds with extinction. 

What do we do?

We work in partnership with the government, fishing companies and fishermen. We develop research to support public policies and the promote environmental education with the fishermen and schools. We have four sites across Brazil. 

-Mitigation measures

In partnership with fishermen, Projeto Albatroz  develops actions to reduce the unintentional capture of albatrosses and petrels, called mitigation measures. In addition to benefiting the birds, the use of these measures also increases the productivity of fisheries. These measures have been adopted into Brazilian regulations. The main measures are:

1.  Tori lines (bird scaring lines): studies show that, in general, the use of tori lines reduced attempts by birds to take baited hooks by 67%, and also increases fishing productivity by preventing the hook catching a bird instead of a fish. The use of tori lines was even more significant in the first 50 meters behind the boat, where it reduced attempts by 97%. This area is critical because the bait is closer to the surface and therefore more available to the birds. 

 

Tori lines by Fabiano Peppes

-2. Weighted line: traditionally in longline fisheries in Brazil, a weight is put 5.5 metres from the hook to sink the line.  However positioning it 2 metres from the hook sinks the line faster, reducing the time available to the birds to grab the bait. 

3. Night setting: most seabirds feed during the day, so fishing at night prevents the capture of birds. This measure should be used in conjunction with tori lines and the weights to ensure greatest effectiveness.

 

Night setting by Dimas Gianuca

-Policy support

With support from Projeto Albatroz, Brazil became a member of the International Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) , thus taking on its governmental responsibility towards the conservation of these birds. We are developing the  National Action Plan for the Conservation of albatrosses and Petrels (NPOA) . An important step in albatross conservation. 

-Education

In 2011 we started working in schools and have developed the 'Albatross in School Program' in the city of Santos. It aims to involve students and teachers in marine biodiversity conservation, while also helping to spread the word about Projeto Albatroz. We teach children how everyone can contribute to albatross  conservation, offer games and activities for them to learn in a fun and interactive way.

 

Educational talk by Dimas Gianuca

-Work on boats

We work on board fishing vessels to show fishermen the importance of using measures to reduce the mortality of albatrosses.  During the fishing trips, we collect scientific data on the interaction of seabirds with fishing and test measures that reduce mortality.

 

Showing how to use tori lines by Dimas Gianuca