Between the 4th August and 2nd September two ATF Chile instructors (Rodrigo and myself!) took to the high seas onboard a Chilean pelagic longline vessel that fishes for swordfish. What was our mission? What was our objective?
Well, we were doing what the Task Force does best: conducting experiments in the use of mitigation measures that prevent seabird bycatch. We were investigating a combination of mitigation measures, at-sea and under commercial conditions with the view of measuring the efficiency of these measures and comparing the effect of seabird friendly fishing practices on target (fish) catch rates. In short, can we save the birds with current measures and will they impact the fishery?
Our work included measuring the sink rate of baited hooks to see if a modified fishing line would sink faster than the typical gear used in this fishery. The idea is, that if the hooks sink faster, the seabirds have less time to take the bait!
To do so, we had to keep in mind that some albatross species can dive down to 4 or 5 metres while many species of petrel can dive down past 10 metres. This means we have to help the fishing gear sink really quickly and out of the reach of these vulnerable birds.
We combined this with seabird counts and studies of how the birds attack hooks when we used the different kinds of fishing gear. This gives us an idea how the measures are working and to what extent they are effective solutions to seabird bycatch.
Not everything’s an experiment!
While we were aboard I also took some time to conduct at-sea observations of the seabirds that were present and those that followed the vessel. During one of these periods, I noticed a couple of the beautiful and critically endangered Waved albatross, birds that nest in the Galapagos Islands. This was the first time I had seen this species as they are not normally present this far south in Chilean waters.
I was even more surprised to find that I was recording the southern-most sighting of this species! I was able to get a couple of photos to confirm the sighting (see the picture), close to San Ambrosio Island more than 900 km off the coast of Chile (26°20’37”S, 079°53’28”W). We had to go a long way to see these birds, but it was worth it!
Working at-sea can be a real challenge sometimes but it also gives you the chance to glimpse the beauty and hidden secrets within the vastness of the ocean, his Majesty the Pacific!
I’m leaving for sea tomorrow on a tuna boat, hoping to have a good trip and that what I learn will be of use for the conservation of the seabirds we are working to protect.
This trip is an experiment to investigate the efficiency of an under-water setting capsule to reduce, and possibly eliminate, the mortality of seabirds in the pelagic longline fleet. The device was developed by Australian engineers and scientists and its efficiency will be tested in Uruguay through collaborative work between the National Aquatic Resources Department (DINARA), the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and Goldenstar S.A..
The experiment will take place in Uruguay due to the great seabird abundances and high capture rates in the region. The cooperation from the ATF team in Uruguay (from Proyecto Albatros y Petreles) has been important in the development of the project due to our experience onboard the ships of the fleet, our knowledge of the local seabird species and our good relationship with the captains and crew.
During the first trip I will be working with Graham Robertson, research scientist from the AAD. For the first set of the longline gear we will record the attack rates of seabirds on the baited hooks and subsequently evaluate the seabird capture during the haul.
We expect that the under-water setting chute will be an efficient method to reduce seabird mortality in areas of high seabird abundance, without negatively affecting the catch of target (fish) species.
Less than a month ago I was at-sea on the same vessel and I know all the guys onboard well, indeed I’ve spent many trips with this crew on different vessels over the years. I have no doubt that their willingness to help will be crucial for the success of the project and eventually for the conservation of albatross and petrels.
Since we began work on this project in Uruguay, a couple of months ago, the vessel has used the tori line developed by the Uruguayan ATF team displaying their dedication to preventing seabird bycatch. Without doubt the results we find on this trip will be of great importance for Australia and Uruguay, but at the same time, they will also have an impact on an international scale due to the urgent need for efficient mitigation measures in pelagic longline fisheries.
Simultaneously to my trip, Martin Abreu (Uruguayan ATF instructor) will be aboard another vessel that will operate in close proximity to ours. Martin plans to obtain further data that will allow us to make solid conclusions about the performance and use of our tori line design. These results will be critical for the implementation of the Uruguayan National Plan of Action – Seabirds.
During October we will be able to enjoy the feeling of finding ourselves back at-sea with a great number of seabird species. Although the reproductive season is beginning for many species that breed in the South Atlantic (like the Black-browed albatross), and even in other oceans (like the White-capped albatross, plus northern and southern Royal albatross), you can still see large numbers of birds at this time of year.
This is the period when the Spectacled petrel starts to arrive in abundance here, a bird endemic to Tristan da Cunha and one of the most charismatic species in the region. We can see several hundred around a single vessel.
However, without doubt for me, this is the best time of year to see the Wandering albatross from South Georgia. Having recently finished bringing up their chicks, these birds appear in our waters throughout August to November and they arrive in large groups with easily around twenty birds attending a single vessel.
Without doubt, Graham, Martin and I will be really enthused by the sight of these magnificent seabirds close to our vessels. We will also be content as we know our efforts with these experiments are definitely a huge step toward the conservation of these vulnerable species.
I’ve finally arrived back in the port of Itajaí following my first trip on a fishing vessel as part of the Albatross Task Force team in Brazil.
The vessel was a wooden 23 m longliner with 10 crew members, including myself. The target species during the trip included blue shark, tuna and swordfish and the captain, Belo, who has worked previously with Projeto Albatroz, and the Albatross Task Force was familiar with the testing and use of mitigation measures such as tori lines, line weighting and night setting.
It took us two days to reach the fishing grounds, situated near the oceanic boundary with Uruguay. By the time we arrived I was better acquainted with each of the crew members and their life histories (learning all about their family, their home town and how they became fishermen etc...).
I was pleased to find that Belo already knew a lot about the need for seabird conservation efforts, and we discussed the best methods available to protect them during fishing trips: a combination of a tori line, adequate line weighting and night setting.
He was familiar with the long journeys of albatrosses from breeding sites on sub-Antarctic islands to foraging areas in Brazilian waters. He explained how he understood that when an albatross is caught, its chick will die from starvation in the nest – I felt so happy to see the grasp he had on the situation, and hear his concern about the decline of seabird populations due to incidental bycatch in fisheries.
However, despite captain Belo’s knowledge and concern about incidental seabird bycatch, he did not want to use a tori line during fishing operations. He limited the vessel to night setting to avoid seabird bycatch, stating that the amount of seabirds around the vessel was not high enough to warrant using a tori line.
Without the added protection of a tori line we caught an adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed albatross.
Even during low seabird abundances there is a high possibility of killing one of these amazing birds. Only a combination of mitigation measures really reduces seabird bycatch to negligible levels, and we have a tough time convincing captains that this is necessary.
Until strict regulations are put in place, fishing captains will continue to follow their own strategies and albatrosses will continue to be killed in unsustainable numbers.
Recently I returned from my first trip working with the Albatross Task Force aboard the pelagic longline vessel “Maria Letícia”, from Torquato Pontes Fish Company. This boat sailed under captain Celso, a very experienced captain who specializes in catching tunas. Captain Celso has collaborated voluntarily with the Projeto Albatroz and Albatross Task Force since activities began in Brazil, allowing observers on board and using mitigation measures such as night setting and flying a tori line.
We left the Rio Grande harbor, in southern Brazil, in the early afternoon with very good weather (sunny and flat-calm sea conditions). We navigated to the fishing area which is located over the continental slope. During the first week of the trip the weather continued to be good. The nights were moonless and very dark, and as such the stars were very conspicuous and bright. The bioluminescence of the Noctiluca algae was strong and clear, creating a beautiful effect on the propeller turbulence. Sometimes I could also observe bright traces at the water surface where fast swimming penguins, fur seals or fishes passed.
During the trip I recorded 15 species of seabirds. The most abundant species were the Cape Petrel, Black-browed albatross, White-chinned petrel and Giant petrels, both Northern and Southern. Almost every day one or two Royal albatrosses (Northern and Southern) followed the vessel. I could see they were not always the same individuals by the different plumage stage. It was a surprise for me since the Wandering albatrosses are more common in the Brazilian sea than the Royals, but during this trip I saw the opposite. We also recorded Magellanic penguins, Fur seals, Common dolphins and Loggerhead turtles. One Loggerhead turtle was captured alive (caught by the flipper), and we returned it to the sea after loosening the hook line.
We started the trip setting up the tori line support pole for this new vessel so it was ready for use. In the total of seven sets we had used 7,200 hooks, and the only bird caught during this trip was a juvenile Black-browed albatross, caught alive as the fishing gear was hauled. The bird was carefully
released from the hook and returned to the water. Besides a superficial injury caused by the hook, the albatross flew away, apparently in a good state.
I saw another three albatrosses entangled in the fishing lines during the trip, although each was able to free itself from the line alone. Even so, this situation can easily cause serious injuries, especially broken wings and consequently prevent the animal from surviving at sea.
The Storm
On the seventh day at sea the weather began to deteriorate, and after the weather report announced strong winds (100 km/h) and big waves (6-7 meters) almost all boats fishing in southern Brazil returned to the harbours. However, our vessel and another two continued fishing. One of them was captained by Juninho, Celso’s son.
Sure enough, the next day the waves crashed in over 7 meters high and the winds blew stronger than 80 km/h. At about 3 pm, Juninho called Celso by radio and explained that his hull was damaged, a lot of water was leaking in the boat, and the engine room was already flooded. Moreover, the strong winds had broken the GPS antennas. As a result Juninho didn’t know their position and had no way of navigating back to port. Celso needed to rescue his son and their crew! He found the position of the “Maria” by calling the Brazilian Program of Satellite Tracking for Fishing Boats (PREPS) from the Ministry of Fisheries. After some adjustments to the bridge equipment, and more than five hours navigating in the storm, we found the “Maria” and escorted them back to Rio Grande harbour.
By the end of the trip everything turned out ok, and fortunately everybody returned safety to the port. I brought home a bit more experience from this trip and the happiness for having the opportunity to appreciate the grace of the albatrosses flying in perfect tune with the wild seas.
Best regards!
Dimas
For over 30 years Bruce Pearson, a professional artist, has worked on a range of themes to convey his enthusiasm for wildlife and especially birds, giving a sense of wonder to the wild places they inhabit. More recently he has focused some of his time on developing creative links between art and conservation as a contribution towards a wider effort by an informal grouping of artists, writers, musicians, poets and others inspired by the natural world.
Years ago Bruce spent considerable time on Bird Island, South Georgia as a research assistant working with albatrosses and other seabirds where he developed a deep passion for these animals. When he realised that the same birds he ringed and studied 30 years ago are seriously threatened he decided to use his skills and experience to raise awareness about the issue and funds for the conservation of the seabirds. And so the ‘Troubled Waters’ project was born. The time Bruce spent with albatrosses in the southern ocean produced sufficient artwork but in order to tell the complete story of these birds Bruce had to experience the birds’ interactions with humans at the heart of the issue - fishermen.
When Global Seabird Programme coordinator Ben Sullivan asked me if I could take Bruce with me on a longliner, I was little reluctant as I knew how hard it is to organise a trip on a fishing vessel for just myself, let alone for me plus a guest. Despite this, three local captains agreed to take us onboard but upon arrival, Bruce had to wait in Richards Bay for three weeks as the three boats had been grounded and never left the harbour.
While we were waiting for the vessels to make repairs and return to sea we managed to take a day trip while one vessel steamed to Durban for further repairs. Bruce also made good use of his time in the harbour sketching the fishermen offloading fish and fixing gear.
We eventually realised that the trip was not going to happen, so we decided to fly to Cape Town to undertake a 5 day trip onboard a trawl vessel instead. It wasn’t the original plan as Bruce was very keen to experience a trip onboard a longline vessel but nevertheless he was happy to spend some time at sea on a fishing boat with thousands of birds around (who wouldn’t?).
For four days Bruce was painting his heart out. He was able to directly observe the gannets diving at the nets, the albatrosses fighting for food and how we collect the data on bird mortality and fishing operations. By the end of the trip Bruce was happy with the results. Together with his Richards Bay work in the harbour and the sea trip he had enough material to go back to the studio and start working towards the main objective; the production of a book and an exhibit which will raise funds for albatross conservation.
For me it was a privilege to spend these weeks with Bruce; a great artist and an amazing soul and to be a part of this beautiful project which hopefully will help to save more albatrosses.