Human observers

Introduction

Human observers can verify presence and use of all types of seabird safe practices.

When on duty human observers can verify presence and use of all types of seabird safe practices. They can also check additional information on whether the practices are being used to the correct specifications.

Observers need to keep current with standards set by the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). This makes sure information collected by observers are robust.

Specifications

Equipment

Measuring tape, scales, camera. 

Bird scaring lines 

Design specifications

  • The presence of an adjustable tori pole that allows the streamers of the bird scaring line to hang above where baited hooks land in the water. Hooks usually land to the side of the vessel outboard of the stern quarter.
  • Height of the bird scaring line attachment point above the waterline.
  • Length of the bird scaring line.
  • Number of streamers, length of longest streamer, spacing, and streamer material.
  • Presence of an in water drag section, including materials.
  • Presence of spare bird scaring lines materials on board.

What to record per set

  • Was a bird scaring line used
  • Was the bird scaring line lost or tangled during a set and not immediately replaced
  • Were the streamers hanging over where baited hooks landed in the water

More about bird scaring lines.

Line weighting 

Design specifications

  • Type of weight (lead swivel, weighted hook, sliding weight, double weight).
  • Mass of weight closest to hook.
  • Distance between the hook and the weight.
  • Proportion of branchlines with weights.
  • Presence of spare weights on board.

What to record per set

  • Number of hooks set with and without weights.
  • Flybacks of hooks towards the vessel.
  • Crew safety procedures in place (description).

More about line weighting.

Night setting 

Design specifications

  • Was the skipper familiar with the night setting, and how did they define night setting.

What to record per set

  • Location at start of set (latitude and longitude).
  • Time of start of set.
  • Time of completion of set.
  • Was the set fully carried out 30 mins after dusk, and 30 mins before dawn.

More about night setting.

Hook shielding devices 

Design specifications

  • Name of manufacturer.
  • Spare hook shielding devices onboard.

What to record per set

  • Number of hooks set with and without hook-shielding devices.
  • Number of hooks where hook-shielding devices were not correctly used. For example, not closed over the hook prior to setting.
  • Number of lost or damaged hook-shielding devices seen during the haul.

More about hook shielding devices.

Underwater bait setter 

Design specifications

  • Name of manufacturer.
  • Maintenance record.

What to record per set

  • Number of hooks set with and without the underwater bait setter.
  • Setting depth of baited hooks.

More about underwater bait setters.

Download a factsheet

Human observers (PDF, 1,123K)

Further information

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