Image: Kieran Lawton | Creative Commons
Underwater bait-setter on fishing boat.
Underwater bait setter
Find out about the seabird-safe practice of underwater bait setter.

An underwater bait-setter is a computer-operated and hydraulically-powered machine that releases baited hooks underwater. This method keeps baitted hooks out of sight and reach of seabirds.

Baited hooks are placed inside a capsule, which is released and travels down a track underwater. When the capsule reaches its deepest depth, baits are flushed from the capsule with water pressure from a spring-loaded door in the bottom section of the capsule. This allows baited hooks to be released beneath the dive depths of albatrosses and petrels.

Effectiveness

The underwater bait setter reduces seabird captures by more than 95% and the scientific proof of this level of effectiveness is medium.

Limitations

Costs. 

Effect on fish catch

None.

Costs

The cost to buy, install, and train the crew is around US$31,000. Annual maintenance is around US$2,500. The life of the underwater bait setter can be extended indefinitely with replacement parts and is guaranteed for ten years.

Sourcing materials

An underwater bait setter is commercially available through Skadia Technologies.  

Solving problems

Problem: The underwater bait setter has moving parts that could cause injury or death

Solution: Before operating, users must read and understand the manufacturer’s safety manual, including all operating instructions and safety instructions. 

Case study

The underwater bait setter has been used in Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealand skipper using the machine reported that seabirds stopped following the vessel because there were no baits in sight.

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