Illuminating gillnets to save seabirds and the potential for multi-taxa bycatch mitigation

Authors
Mangel, J.C., Wang, J., Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Pingo, S., Jimenez, A., Carvalho, F., Swimmer, Y. and Godley, B.J.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Royal Society Open Science
Volume (Issue #)
5(7)
Page #s
4
Contact information
Jeffrey C. Mangel, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, UK- jeffrey_mangel@yahoo.com
Summary

The authors tested the effectiveness of using green light emitting diodes (LEDs) on demeral, set gillnets in Constante, Peru as a visual deterrent to reduce seabird bycatch. When comparing illuminated nets to control nets, seabird bycatch was significantly lower and represented an 85.1% decline in guanay cormorant ((Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) bycatch. Target catch was not affected, suggesting that this mitigation technique may be an effective mitigation method for seabirds, the same way it seems to be effective for reducing sea turtle bycatch.

Field Studies

Illuminating gillnets to save seabirds and the potential for multi-taxa bycatch mitigation

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Sechura Bay, Peru
Target catch
fish: (Paralichtys spp.), guitarfish (Rhinobatos planiceps), rays (superorder Batoidea
Effect on bycatch species
significant reduction (85.1% for guanay cormorants (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii))
Effect on target catch
none
Bycatch species
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear