Electronic monitoring potential

Electronic monitoring has the potential to confirm if:

• Night setting protocols are followed
• Bird-scaring lines are used. Eelectron cannot confirm that the bird-scaring lines meets all design specifications. However, when electronic monitoringis combined with dockside inspections, the verifier can be more confident these specifications are being met
• Hook-shielding devices are used. electronic monitoring cannot confirm the hook-shielding device meets specifications. However, when electronic monitoringis combined with dockside inspections, the verifier can be more confident that these specifications are being met
• An underwater bait setter is used. Electronic monitoring cannot confirm the depth that hooks are released from the bait setter
• Line weights are present on branchlines. Electronic monitoringcannot confirm the mass of weights or their distance from the hook. However, when electronic monitoring is combined with dockside inspections, the verifier can be more confident these specifications are being met. Note however, the position of sliding weights in relation to the hook is easily changed

Electronic monitoring specifications

To detect bird-scaring lines

Camera position

Cameras should be placed so that the bird-scaring lines attachment point and bird-scaring lines streamers are in the camera frame. Visibility will be diminished at night, but it should still be possible to detect the presence of the bird-scaring lines and see the streamers.

Minimum footage review

Footage at the start and end of the set.

What to record in the review of each set

• The presence of an adjustable tori pole that allows the BSL to be positioned throw the baited hooks so they land to the side of the vessel outboard of the stern quarter
• Whether a bird-scaring lines is deployed prior to start of the setting process and is present until after the last baited hook is set
• Whether the bird-scaring lines streamers hang above the baited hooks when they land in the water.
• The presence of coloured streamers

To detect line weighting

Camera position

cameras should be placed so the weights on branchlines can be seen when the branchlines are stored. A camera should also be placed so the hook end of the branchline is in frame during setting (camera at the stern), and during hauling (camera at the hauling station).

Minimum footage review

Branchlines when they are stored, and throughout the set to see if weights on branchlines were always used.

What to record in footage review per set:

• Instances where weights are missing from branchlines
• Instances of flybacks towards the vessel

To detect night setting

Camera position and footage review

N/A

What to record in the review of each set

• Time of the start and end of the set
• Latitude and longitude
• Length of time (minutes) any setting occurs prior to 30 mins before nautical dusk
• Length of time (minutes) setting continues after 30 mins after nautical dawn

To detect use of hook-shielding devices

Camera position

At the stern, so the baiting process and use of hook-shielding devices can be seen.

Minimum footage review

Samples throughout the set to see if hook-shielding devices were used on all hooks.

What to record in the review of each set

• Instances when hook-shielding devices are missing from branchlines
• Instances where hook-shielding devices are not used properly or did not function (not closed over the hook)

To detect use of underwater bait setter

Camera position

close to the stern where the capsule loading can be seen.

Minimum footage review

Samples throughout the set.

What to record in footage review per set

Instances where the underwater bait setter is not used (for example baited hooks thrown manually by crew)

Artificial intelligence/machine learning 

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has developed artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) that can detect whether a bird-scaring line is being used on a fishing vessel 

This new technology will make the footage review process faster and cheaper. It is expected that AI/ML will be further developed to detect use of other seabird-safe practices.

Further information

To learn about the use of EM to assess the impact of fishing on seabirds see Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels - Bycatch monitoring.