Fishermen in Cornwall have trialed a rotating "Looming Eye Buoy" to prevent seabirds from drowning in gill nets. Developed with the University of Exeter, the system significantly cuts accidental deaths by mimicking predators.
A 59 per cent drop in gill net bycatch
The Looming Eye Buoy (LEB) operates as a visual deterrent, utilizing a rotating head that projects an animated eye across the water's surface. According to the report, this "floating scarecrow"—a term coined by Tom Hooper of Fishtek Marine—tricks birds into perceiving a predator in the area, prompting them to avoid the vicinity of fishing nets.
The trial involved ten Cornish fishing vessels equipped with cameras to track bird behavior. The data revealed a 59 per cent reduction in seabird bycatch when the Looming Eye Buoys were active, effectively guiing birds away from the lethal mesh of gill nets that often trap guillemots and razorbills.
Why the Scarybird kite's 71 per cent success rate isn't the final answer
Research published in the journal Marine Ecology compared the LEB to another deterrent known as the "Scarybird" kite, which resembles a predatory bird. while the Scarybird kite actually achieved a higher reduction in accidental captures—reaching 71 per cent—the Looming Eye Buoy is considered the more viable long-term solution for the industry.
The University of Exeter researchers found that the LEB's design is far more practical for daily commercial use. Unlike the kites, which can be cumbersome to manage, the Looming Eye Buoys require minimal maintenance once they are deployed in the water, making them more attractive to mariners who prioritize operational efficiency.
Combatting the 95 ,000 annual seabird deaths across Europe
The scale of the problem extends far beyond the coast of Cornwall. As the report notes, approximately 95,000 seabirds are lost every year to bycatch along European coastlines. this staggering number underscores the urgency for scalable, low-cost interventions that can be adopted across various national fleets without imposing heavy financial burdens on fishermen.
By implementing the Looming Eye Buoy on a wider scale, conservationists believe the annual death toll could potentially be halved. This shift toawrd sustainable practices is critical for species on the brink of collapse, turning a routine fishing operation into a coexistence strategy between commercial industry and marine wildlife.
From Cornish waters to googly eyes on takeaway food
The success of the LEB is rooted in a broader biological principle regarding eye cues.. Dr. Laura Kelley of the University of Exeter has explored similar visual deterrents in urban settings, such as attaching googly eyes to takeaway food packaging to stop gulls from scavenging.
This research suggests that many animals are biologically hardwired to react to direct eye contact as a sign of aggression or threat. whether in a city center or the Atlantic Ocean, the presence of a "stare" triggers defensive behaviors, proving that simple visual cues can be more effective than complex physical barriers in wildlife management.
The durability of LEB hardware in turbulent Cornish seas
Despite the promising data, some operational hurdles remain. The University of Exeter team is currently working with sailors to refine the hardware, specifically focusing on buoy stability and the ability of the rotating mechanism to withstand the violent conditions of the Cornish coast.
Furthermore, it remains unclear exactly when and where bycatch risk peaks during different seasons. The research team intends to use the current data to create targeted deployment strategies, ensuring that the Looming Eye Buoys are positioned in high-risk zones at the precise times they are most needed.
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