From the report: Figure 1. Diagram of bottom trawl gear with warp cables above and below the water line.

A review of warp mitigation methods for inshore trawl vessels <28m in length by Rachel P. Hickcox and Darryl I. McKenzie (Proteus, New Zealand) for New Zealand’s Conservation Services Programme has been released by the Department of Conservation.

The Executive Summary follows:

“The incidental catch of seabirds due to warp or cable strike is one of the main risks posed by coastal commercial trawl fisheries. Several different types of seabird bycatch mitigation devices are used that attach to or around warps, cables, and the vessel to form physical and visual barriers to deter seabirds. There is uncertainty, however, about the effectiveness of mitigation devices on small vessels, and there are no mandatory requirements for trawl vessels <28m in length to employ such devices. There is also no clear guidance or best practice due to limited observer data, at-sea trials, and published studies on the effectiveness of warp mitigation devices. 

The following literature review provides a brief overview of eight mitigation devices that are used on trawl vessels in New Zealand and around the world, only two of which are currently being used on vessels less than 28 meters in length overall. Data on seabird capture rates from the reviewed studies is presented and supplemented with observer data collected in New Zealand coastal trawl fisheries between 2015 and 2020. Current best practices for data collection regarding seabird abundance and warp strike observations were critiqued in preparation for a workshop that was held with invited experts. Workshop attendees met to discuss research approaches and develop recommendations (Phase 1) for at-sea trials of devices to quantify their relative effectiveness in mitigating warp strike (Phase 2). 

Warp strike/capture rate was 0.59 captures/100 tows on observed New Zealand coastal trawl vessels <28m between 2015 and 2020, regardless of mitigation method. Mitigation devices were used during 42% of all observed trawl tows between 2015 and 2020, with the bird baffler being the most frequently used. Based on the review of 14 international studies, it was determined that tori lines, bird bafflers, warp scarers, plastic cones, and water sprayers are the best candidate devices for trials on trawl vessels <28m to test their effectiveness at reducing seabird warp strike. 

During the workshop, tori lines, bird bafflers, pinkie buoy warp deflectors, and plastic cone warp deflectors were recommended for at-sea trials, based on expert opinions of feasibility, cost, practicality, and safety. Due to the large variation in vessel configurations, experts suggested categorising <28m vessels into three additional size classes. Sample size, vessel selection, gear configuration and type (e.g., size, structure, use of Dyneema warps), and the effects of discharge management were also discussed relative to efficient data collection methods and study design. Considerable challenges with testing mitigation devices at sea were raised that may make an at-sea trial difficult and/or impossible, including sample size and the confounding effects of many factors influencing warp strike rates. 

Best practices for data collection of abundance and warp strike rates, used by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, the Department of Conservation, and Fisheries New Zealand, should form the basis of at-sea trial methodology, with some suggested modifications based on international studies and trials. Trial scope, device availability on vessels, cost, and feasibility will determine which of the four recommended mitigation devices are prioritised for testing. If a statistical approach is taken to address project objectives, alternative data collection methods such as electronic monitoring and on- board cameras should be considered to supplement observer data on warp strikes and the effectiveness of mitigation devices. 

Reference:

Hickox, R.P., Mackenzie, D. 2023. Review of warp strike mitigation methods on <28m commercial trawl vessels in New Zealand. MIT2022-07 final report prepared by Proteus for the Department of Conservation. 72 p. 

22 September 2023

 
Still some down to lose, the Royal Cam chick on 27 August, photograph by Sharyn Broni

The 2023 Royal Cam chick, named Manaaki, has fledged from Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on New Zealand’s South Island at an average age of 240 days and of a “healthy weight”. The globally Endangered Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi chick, identified genetically as a male, was last seen hovering above the ground by the live-streaming camera during strong winds and then flew out of camera frame during the afternoon of 16 September. It was not seen within the colony the next morning.

Manaaki’s regurgitated plastic pieces

Before fledging, Manaaki regurgitated some pieces of plastic within a bolus of squid beaks alongside its nest, reminding us that this year’s theme for World Albatross Day on 19 June was “Plastic Pollution” (read an earlier ACAP Latest News post on regurgitated plastic at Taiaroa Head).

Over the next few days both colour-banded parents of the Royal Cam chick were seen visiting the empty nest (watch a short video of the male parent returning).)

As of 17 September, 18 chicks have fledged from the headland colony leaving 15 still to go; by today (21st) only nine chicks of the 32 remain in the colony.

News from the Facebook groups Albatross Lovers and the Royal Albatross Centre.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 21 September 2023\\

Expressions of interest are sought by the World Seabird Union (WSU) to host the Fourth World Seabird Conference (WSC4) in 2026.

“The WSU seeks a Local Host for WSC4 who will work hand in hand with the WSU board of directors to promote and showcase the presentation of global seabird research and conservation efforts. The WSU is committed to facilitating WSC4, and we believe that the best approach to developing a successful conference is to partner with a Local Committee and allow them substantial flexibility in the planning and management of the conference. The International Steering Committee of the WSU will be available to provide support, advice, and assistance in all phases of the conference as needed or requested but does not intend to manage the Local Committee.”

The inaugural World Seabird Conference, led by Pacific Seabird Group, was hosted in Victoria, Canada in 2010. Cape Town, South Africa hosted WSC2 in 2015, and WSC3 was to be held in Hobart, Tasmania in 2021, but had to be moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expressions of interest can be made through an online form at the following link, https://forms.gle/C6TFfSztp2rpfDpj9.

The deadline for submissions is October 5th, 2023.

20 September 2023

“Moment of Release”, a new public albatross sculpture is unveiled in New Zealand

From time to time ACAP Latest News has featured sculptures depicting albatrosses around the world. Not a common subject for public display perhaps, but examples covered in this website exist in Chile, Ecuador’s Galapagos and in the UK, with a wooden one on the USA’s Midway Atoll sadly lost to termites (click here and here). The latest sculpture that has come to ACAP’s attention is of a globally Vulnerable and Nationally Vulnerable Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora has very recently been unveiled in Tutukaka on New Zealand’s North Island.

Information on the new sculpture comes from the Facebook group of The Petrel Station Seabird Tours & Research - Tutukaka, NZ as follows.

“Today [17 September] at Tutukaka was the unveiling of this awesome life-size bronze sculpture called ‘Moment of Release’ which depicts the moment local bird carer legend Robert Webb releases a Southern Royal Albatross [known as Albert] he's holding aloft at the front of a boat back in 2005. The sculpture was created to commemorate and honour the amazing and selfless work Rob and his wife Robyn have put into helping and saving thousands of birds (including countless seabirds) throughout the NZ's Northland region over the last 40 odd years out at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre. The albatross had needed care and thanks to Rob and Robyn it made a full recovery. You are both legends and the work you do for our local birds is an inspiration.”

Inspiration for the artwork: Albert the Southern Royal Albatross gets released at sea in 2005

ACAP Latest News reached out for more information and received a quick reply: “The seabird released was a Southern Royal Albatross (which the sculpture represents). And there were actually two artists who collaborated on the creation - Susan Dinkelacker and Dell Pryor. One created the albatross, and the other created Robert - a very talented pair.”

Read more about the unveiling here and watch a two-minute video about the release of Albert and to hear from the two sculptors.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 19 September 2023