March 29, 2024

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New gadget could reduce shark bycatch by 90{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} | Environment

New gadget could reduce shark bycatch by 90{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} | Environment

Maritime scientists have created a piece of technological know-how that could greatly cut down shark bycatch by emitting short electrical pulses as a deterrent.

The small battery-run product, recognized as SharkGuard, diminished the numbers of blue sharks accidentally caught by business fishing gear in a French longline tuna fishery in the Mediterranean by 91{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} and stingrays by 71{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec}, in accordance to a review in the peer-reviewed journal Existing Biology.

Clipped on to the line upcoming to a baited hook, SharkGuard emits a quick pulse each and every two seconds. When that pulse temporarily overstimulates the electrical sensors about a shark’s nose and mouth – referred to as the ampullae of Lorenzini – the shark swims absent.

Dr Phil Doherty, lecturer in maritime conservation science at the University of Exeter and guide creator of the research, mentioned that although SharkGuard is doing what it has been developed to do, more sea trials are essential to assess its success in other fisheries.

“It’s cutting down blue shark and pelagic [oceanic, not bottom dwelling] stingray catch on these hooks, so we can be very confident for these species in this fishery,” he said. “But [SharkGuard] desires to be built on a scenario-by-scenario foundation to make sure it’s fit for objective.”

Every yr an estimated 100 million sharks, skates and rays are killed by fishing and bycatch. Given that 1970, the international abundance of oceanic sharks and rays has declined by 71{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} because of to fishing methods.

Longline fishing rigs can be a lot more than 30 miles long, with hundreds of branch strains hanging down from one particular most important floating floor line. The SharkGuard clips on to the branch traces subsequent to just about every baited hook. More study will set up the thresholds essential to discourage unique sharks.

Pete Kibel, co-founder and director of FishTek, the maritime engineering company that created SharkGuard, hopes the unit will be commercially readily available by 2024. “The clever bit is miniaturising the whole issue to produce a thing that is operationally practical for fishermen,” he said. “I’m self-confident that we will get in between 70{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} and 95{18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} [reduction] throughout the critically endangered pelagic shark species that we’re making an attempt to preserve.”

Kibel reported the latest trial showed a nominal reduction in tuna catch, the goal species. “We consider this is possible thanks to the fat of the SharkGuard models altering the fishing depth of the baited hooks, alternatively than the electrical pulse emitted,” he explained. The business explained it is building a lighter, induction-charged model without batteries.

Bycatch mitigation instruments are just 1 component of the answer for safeguarding sharks from fishing, in accordance to Ali Hood, director of conservation at British isles charity Shark Believe in.

“Limiting or even prohibiting the capture of sharks and rays based mostly on scientific assistance is only the first action in seeing populations rebuild,” she reported.