Big-eyed buoys and kites help protect seabirds from fishing nets

Floating buoys with large, moving eyes and bird-shaped kites made fishing nets less dangerous for guillemots and razorbills in a trial off Cornwall, south-west England. Compared with nets without deterrents, the buoys reduced the odds of these diving seabirds being caught by 59%, while the kites reduced them by 71%.

The two-year trial involved 10 fishers, with cameras on their boats helping to record accidental catches, known as bycatch. University of Exeter scientists analysed the results, which were published in Conservation Letters.

Developed by Fishtek Marine and the RSPB conservation charity, the buoy has a spinning head with large eyes designed to discourage birds from diving towards nets. The kite resembles a bird of prey. Both work above the water to keep birds away from gillnets, vertical walls of netting suspended beneath the surface.

An estimated 95,000 diving seabirds are caught and drown in gillnets around Europe’s coasts each year. In the Cornwall trial, most seabird catches occurred during winter, suggesting that protection could be concentrated when the danger is greatest. Fishers’ feedback also helped identify ways to improve the devices for everyday use.

The deterrents reduce risk rather than eliminate it. Careful placement matters, and kite performance depends on wind conditions. Further research is needed to understand how effectiveness varies across fisheries and environments.