---
title: "Hookpod trials to go commercial on Brazilian longliners"
---

# Hookpod trials to go commercial on Brazilian longliners

The Hookpod is a reusable hook-shielding device that encloses the point and barb of a longline hook in a polycarbonate case, making it impossible for seabirds to become hooked when closed.  Upon reaching a depth of 10-15 m water pressure fires an internal piston which causes the device to open, releasing the hook to begin fishing. The Hookpod has a LED built into the casing, so there is no need to use chemical light sticks, which are often discarded at sea once used.

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/Hookpod-closed.JPG)

 Hookpod in the closed position protecting the hook

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/Hookpod-open.jpg)

 Hookpod in the open position after the hook is released

 The [Hookpod company](https://www.hookpod.com/) now plans to produce 20 000 pods and distribute them in fisheries in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa.  Working with the Brazilian NGO [Projeto Albatroz](https://projetoalbatroz.org.br/)it is intended to equip five fishing vessels to use hookpods under commercial conditions in in Brazilian waters ([click here](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hookpod/hookpod-saving-the-albatross-from-extinction?ref=user_menu)).

 Use of the hookpod has been assessed by ACAP to meet its performance requirements and is therefore considered to represent best practice in pelagic longline fisheries ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/en/bycatch-mitigation/mitigation-advice)).

 Read more on hookpods [here](https://www.acap.aq/en/14-news/latest-news/2922-research-shows-hookpods-on-pelagic-longliners-save-albatrosses-and-petrels-from-drowning-without-affecting-catch-rate-of-fish?highlight=WyJob29rcG9kIiwiJ2hvb2twb2QnIl0=).

 **Selected Literature:**

 ACAP 2017. *[ACAP Review and Best Practice Advice for Reducing the Impact of Pelagic Longline Fisheries on Seabirds](https://www.acap.aq/en/bycatch-mitigation/mitigation-advice/3242-acap-2017-review-and-best-practice-advice-for-reducing-the-impact-of-pelagic-longline-fisheries-on-seabirds/file). Reviewed at the Tenth Meeting of the Advisory Committee Wellington, New Zealand 11 – 15 September 2017*. 26 pp.

 Sullivan, B.J., Kibel, B., Kibel, P., Yates, O., Potts, J.M., Ingham, B., Domingo, A., Gianuca, D., Jiménez, S., Lebepe, B., Maree, B.A., Neves, T., Peppes, F., Rasehlomi, T., Silva-Costa, A. & Wanless, R.M. 2017. At-sea trialling of the Hookpod: a ‘one-stop’ mitigation solution for seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries. [*Animal Conservation* DOI: 10.1111/acv.12388](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/acv.12388/full).

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 March 2018*