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New Zealand hoki fishermen to fit bird bafflers.
31st December 2002,
New Zealand hoki fishermen will have fitted Brady Bird Bafflers to their trawlers, if they are over 40 metres, by next May. This is an important move for the industry as there has been considerable opposition from conservation groups regarding the number of seabirds - particularly albatross and petrels - that are caught on longlines.
For sometime the Hoki Fishery Management Company (HFMC) has been working to develop the technology which would protect the birds. David Sharp, chairman of the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (Sea FIC), believes these bird bafflers will go a long way towards solving the bycatch problem.
The bafflers, designed by Ministry of Fisheries observer Keith Brady, keep the birds away from the fishing lines at the back of the trawler. They have taken some time to develop. Mr Brady started work on the baffler prototype in 1999 on the fishing vessel Tomi 86. He added: "It's been a real challenge to find materials that were both bird-friendly, but also tough enough to withstand the kind of conditions that the baffler may be used in."
"It has to be easy to use, or it won't get used. Life is busy on a trawler; the baffler had to be something you could put out and forget, then bring in again with ease. We've achieved that. It takes moments to set it and you just simply wind it back in on a hand winch when you've finished."
According to Seafood New Zealand, the industry’s main magazine, the secret of the Baffler’s success lies in Keith’s powers of observation and knowledge of seabird behaviour. The design plays on the behavioural patterns of seabirds and preys on their habits, chiefly their dislike of flying under things or having something over them. It doesn’t actually scare birds, but confuses and – yes, baffles – them so that they give it a wide berth.
Trials so far indicate that the constant motion of the Baffler will ensure that the birds do not become familiar with it.
Skippers also wanted something that was safe. A system has been incorporated into the design ensuring that the winch and arms can support a man’s weight if need be.
Recent trials on deepwater trawlers have proved the baffler devices are simple to use and very effective in keeping seabirds away from the trawl wires. One vessel trialing the Baffler is the San Venturer. Skipper Dave Webb is very positive about the system even though it is still in the developmental stages. "It’s stood up to some pretty rough weather conditions and part of the challenge for Keith was to create a system that was sturdy enough without being cumbersome. He’s done that."
Mr Sharp said this latest announcement has topped off a year of improvements in seabird-safe fishing for the industry.
"In June, the Southern Seabird Solutions group started up. This is a collaborative effort between conservation groups, industry and government to promote seabird-safe fishing practices in the southern oceans. And the group has had some real achievements.
"In September, we saw the Seafood Industry Training Organisation trial seabird-safe training for crews aboard fishing vessels."
This training will become NZQA-registered next year.
"In October, we saw ling longliners adopt a code of practice for seabird-safe fishing," he added.
"In November, Sanford skipper John Bennett was awarded the 'Golden Albatross Award' at the International Fishers' Forum in Hawaii for his work in seabird mitigation.
"And now the Hoki Fishery Management Company has made this announcement about fitting the Bird Bafflers."
Mr Sharp said it was pleasing to see companies and the industry in general taking such positive steps. "Most fishermen out there genuinely care for the environment and many of the 'best practice' standards in seabird-safe fishing come about through their efforts," he said.
By Jenny Haworth
FIS.com
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