Fishing concepts... fishing crew develop their own albatross scaring device.
Akira sails to the fishing area, and during the journey, I build the tori lines cables (bird scaring lines) together with the crew. They learned a lot, and so did I!
The wide experience of these men makes them capable of absorbing and implementing new technologies with expertise.
Therefore, the 'concept' of tori line was quickly incorporated with common sense. The activity was concentrated in the poop of the boat where a short explanation on the use and applicability of tori line was directed to the crew.
The general idea of 'for what' and of 'why' of my presence there in their 'house' was understood by all the crew and I was welcomed with respect and affection, making my presence on board easy and pleasant helping me to develop my work together with the skipper and crew.
The crew members as a whole had collaborated with the setting up of the equipment. They had even considered the use of alternative materials to make the scaring lines. They were resourceful, they suggested that the nylon normally used as fishing gear branch lines (normally discarded as garbage after use) be substituted for the twisted cable (palhinha). This would make the cost of the tori line cheaper and give use to a material that would normally be discarded.
Additionally, they realised that they could also use the straps from the fishermen's waterproof deck suits for another part of the tori line.
As a results of this joint effort, two tori lines had been created and used side by side. One was a scientifically produced line which was being developed through at-sea trials and the other one the fruit of the creativity of these notable men of the sea.
It really was a case of 'the technical and the practical, side by side, in pursuit of a common value'.
All our arrangements were co-ordinated in an efficient and animated way. The initial discussions with the vessel 'Akira', a longline fishing vessel, under the command of skipper Rogerio and your crew, indicated that everything about our high sea trip would be fine.
Everyone actively participated in choosing the best place for the installation of the tori lines. They had shown curiosity on the works to be developed on board.
The work developed for this particular fishing fleet, that acts from the port of Itajaí, is proving to be of extreme relevance to the wider picture of activity. Seabird interactions are damaging to fishing owners and the alarming declines in seabirds in the last decades.
Simple initiatives such as the installation of tori lines and the spreading of the results obtained with this mitigation measure mean that even more fishermen seek to support the cause - preserving the species threatened and promoting sustainable fisheries.
'Life at sea is an adventure...' The first time I heard this sentence was at the Projeto Albatroz's video 'Sea Workers', during a Scientific Observer Course, and I had no idea how it would change my life.
Since my first contact with Projeto Albatroz four years ago, I've accomplished several scientific and fishing cruises (on commercial longline and leased fleets).
Now I've returned to work with the big albatrosses after a long journey and this time working on an important campaign. The Albatross Task Force is an important way to search for a positive coexistence between fishing activity and the conservation of marine life.
This week, I helped the other Brazilian Task Force member, Fabiano Peppes, to build a tori line and it was a good experience! Hopefully next week I will accomplish my first Albatross Task Force trip, leaving from Itajaí port, testing the tori line.
I will be back in early May, so please wait for the news from this trip.
When I had started here, working in seabird conservation, I had never even seen an albatross before, never been on a fishing boat before - the challenge was unknown to me.
Now, almost two years down the line, I can safely say that I have achieved what very few people who work in conservation can say they have achieved, at the cold face of the bycatch issue.
I am here to tell you, with a heavy heart, that I am leaving the Albatross Task Force. I am very sad to be leaving, as I have been highly fulfilled working with the force. It has been incredibly dynamic, going to sea, running workshops, working this close with the fishery.
I would not have gained this much experience nor realised my passion for marine conservation as intensely as I do now, if I had not been working with these ancient, majestic and mysterious ocean mariners. I have developed an undying passion for the birds, and look forward to future endeavours with the Meidad and Barry here in South Africa, as well as being reunited with the albatrosses each time I am at sea.
I know the ATF is doing a fantastic and courageous job daily. Additionally, the coverage of our efforts has been tremendous and this work would not be a reality without the campaign.
It has been an emotional time as well, at sea and face to face with the fishers, and as a result, the greatest development and growth period of my life. The ATF was my first ever post and I have been privileged employee of it.
This work, in my eyes, is the closest (emotionally and physically) a conservationist can get to working on such a major threat with opportunities in succeeding and overcoming the problem.
With that, I say goodbye and send thanks and support to these dedicated and passionate people. Best of luck to all you guys up there, ATF in Brazil and here in SA (and anywhere else ATF members start to work).
May the force be with you!
Hello seabirds' friends.
I am here to tell you the news from Santos/Brazil Port.
As the summer is not a good time to observe birds here in Brazil, I have been preparing the vessels to start to test the bird scaring lines (tori lines). This equipment is essential for scaring seabirds while the fishermen are setting the baits at sea.
Captain Dirceu from the Camburi fishing vessel has agreed to install the tori line. He said that he already has some experience of how to use it on board because he has previously worked in a Chinese fleet. This fleet operated in regions (below 20° latitude south) where there were many albatrosses and petrels.
The Captain suggested a tori line model which has a low risk of entangling with the longline during the settings. The next day, the Captain and I discussed the best place to install the tori lines poles on the boat. We decided to test a pole with 90° of angle, in spite of other tori line models here in Brazil being installed at a 25° angle. I have called this model 'Dirceu's tori line'.
After two days, the tori line was ready and I demonstrated the equipment details to Captain Dirceu. He was happy to test this mitigation measure to reduce seabird bycatch and he said: 'I compromise myself to help the seabird researchers and to improve the efficiency of tori lines because when autumn-winter times arrive I just want to appreciate the beauty of these magnificent birds'.
I promised to the Captain that I would share his tori line model among the other fishermen. He got very excited about it!! Actually, I am departing to test the tori lines at sea today. When I come back I'll tell you about the news! I am very excited to see how the behaviour of fishermen about it will be, and the efficiency of Mr. Dirceu's model of tori line.