Understand
Floating scarecrows successfully reduce accidental seabird deaths in Cornish fishing nets
Overview
Trials off the Cornish coast involving scientists from Fishtek Marine, the RSPB, and the University of Exeter show that floating 'scarecrow' devices and bird-of-prey kites can significantly reduce the accidental capture of endangered seabirds like guillemots and razorbills in fishing nets.
Key points
- A floating device known as a Looming Eye Buoy (LEB), developed by Fishtek Marine and the RSPB, uses a spinning top with an animated eye effect to deter birds.
- A two-year trial involving 10 Cornish fishermen demonstrated that LEBs reduced the risk of seabirds being caught in nets by 59%, while bird-of-prey kites reduced the risk by 71%.
- An estimated 95,000 diving seabirds are caught and drown in fishing nets across Europe annually.
- Species such as guillemots and razorbills are currently on the Amber List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.
- Researchers noted that the technology allows fishing to continue while protecting vulnerable seabird populations.