Download AEBR 350 Electronic Automated Reporting System (EARS): Remote at-sea monitoring of seabird bycatch mitigation measures

Carovano, K.,; Pierre, J., Fuller, J., Cozza, A., Wealti, M., Torgersion, E., Jones, Z. (2025). Electronic Automated Reporting System (EARS): Remote at-sea monitoring of seabird bycatch mitigation measures. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 350. 47 p.

Methods to reduce and monitor seabird bycatch in tuna longline fisheries are subject to ongoing investigation globally. Proven methods to reduce seabird bycatch are available, while these may not be implemented at sea. This project progressed the development of a working benchtop prototype device designed to monitor deployment of a tori line (a line with streamers attached that is deployed astern the fishing vessel, and reduces the risk of seabird bycatch by deterring birds from attending longline gear during setting), night setting, and the presence of weights on longline branchlines. The benchtop prototype device was transformed into a unit designed for at-sea deployment and subjected to proof-of-concept at-sea testing. The seagoing prototype design incorporated two small IP cameras, a GPS antenna, a rotation sensor, and an externally produced tracking buoy intended to record the location of the terminal end of the tori line. Forty-five hours of camera imagery and associated data were collected from five longline sets during at-sea testing in New Zealand. Tori line deployment could be verified and longline setting time was recorded (relevant to monitoring night-setting). The tracking buoy located at the end of the tori line failed to record GPS information during testing. Therefore, the location of the terminal end of the tori line astern the vessel could not be determined. The project also encountered many logistical difficulties, in part due to taking place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended that future research focus on the use of cameras (electronic monitoring) augmented with additional tools (e.g. sensors) to meet research objectives. Also, use of off-the-shelf components and the simplest possible hardware solution would be beneficial, to minimise points of failure and the costs of bespoke development.