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Johanna Pierre and colleagues (Dragonfly Science, Wellington, New Zealand) have produced a report identifying mitigation methods for reducing seabird bycatch by scampi trawl fisheries in New Zealand.  Their research was funded by the Conservation Services Programme of New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.

The project’s shortened summary follows:

“This project sought to identify potential methods with which to mitigate seabird captures in the New Zealand scampi fishery, test the feasibility and effectiveness of these methods, and make recommendations on future work on seabird bycatch in this fishery.  Through reviewing available information and holding an expert workshop (including representatives from the scampi fishing industry), the researchers identified three areas for work:

$1·         improving batch discharge regimes to ensure discharge is held on-board during shooting and hauling;

$1·         improving the design and construction of paired streamer lines;

$1·         and testing the “restrictor” – a novel approach to reducing seabird captures in scampi nets.

Assessing of the operation feasibility and subsequent testing of the net restrictor was then conducted utilising fisheries observers and underwater cameras.  Video footage of the net restrictor in the water confirmed that the being [sic] to the centre net in a triple net rig was reduced by 75% during hauling.”

Click here to access related publications and reports by Dragonfly Science from 2007.

Reference:

Pierre, J.P., Cleal, J., Thompson, F.N. & Abraham, E.R. 2013.  Seabird Bycatch Reduction in Scampi Trawl Fisheries  Final Research Report for Department of Conservation project MIT2011-02.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  27 pp.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 August 2013