Albatross Task Force

What We Do & Why We Do It

Reducing Seabird Bycatch

Seabirds are among the most threatened bird groups globally, with ocean wanderers like albatrosses and petrels at particular risk due to their slow reproduction, late maturity, and reliance on high adult survival. Bycatch, the accidental capture of seabirds during fishing operations, is the leading cause of at-sea mortality, killing hundreds of thousands annually. Birds are injured or killed when colliding with trawl cables, becoming trapped in nets, or drowning after being hooked in longline fisheries.

The Albatross Task Force (ATF) works to ensure seabird management at fisheries level through grassroots engagement and research. Working with government to implement policy and compliance measures, as well as supporting global bycatch reductions, through international collaborations and advocacy.

How we do it

The South African ATF team collaborates with fishermen to address the challenges faced at sea, thereby creating opportunities for the exchange of knowledge.

We work primarily with four key fishing fleets:

Demersal Hake Trawl
Pelagic Tuna Longline
Demersal Hake Longline
Tuna Pole and Line

The South African ATF team conducts research in collaboration with fishermen to develop and adapt mitigation measures that do not impact fishing operations.

Through training and  awareness we create opportunities for the exchange of knowledge across fisheries and other stakeholders.

We work with government departments to improve legislation and implement compliance measures, to reduce the incidence of seabird bycatch and improve the sustainable use of our oceans.

By engaging internationally and in close collaboration with other ATF teams, we generate best-practice advice and advocate for implementation of mitigation measures across the Southern Ocean.

Our goal is to significantly reduce seabird bycatch, in line with sustainable fishing practices and seek lasting compliance with mitigation measures through committed government involvement. 

Bycatch Solution And Mitigation Measures

Best-practice Mitigation measures for Longline and Trawl fisheries in action 

Bird-scaring lines effectively keeping seabirds away from trawl cables during fishing operations

Bird-scaring Lines act as visual deterrents preventing birds from colliding with trawling cables – resulting in injuries or mortalities and from drowning as a result of swallowing baited hooks deployed during longline operations, before these have sunk out of reach. Night setting and line weighting are additional mitigation measures required during longline operation, to reduce the diversity and abundance of birds present and to ensure baited hooks sink out of reach of diving seabirds as fast as possible, while under the protection of the Bird-scaring Line.

A closed Hookpod

Hook-shielding devices such as Hookpods have been developed as a stand-alone measure, eliminating the need for nigh-setting and the use of Bird-scaring lines during Pelagic Longline operations.

Our mitigation measures adhere to best–practice guidelines of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels and have been incorporated into Fisheries Permit Conditions for trawl and longline fleets. 

Project Downloads

Further Project Information

Demersal Longline Project

The project is part of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fishery Improvement Projects (FIP) which support the transition of SAHLLA members to obtain Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification through the South African Hake Longline Fishery Improvement Project by characterising the fleet through harbour visit assessments.

Proposed vessel bycatch mitigation strategies as well as helping with the update permit conditions with respect to gear material and configuration to reduce seabird interactions and reduce seabird bycatch.
Hookpod Trial Project

Reducing seabird mortality in pelagic longline fisheries traditionally requires combining line-weighting, night setting, and bird-scaring lines, but these measures can disrupt fishing operations and are often challenging. The invention of the Hookpod (HP) in 2005 by the British Kibel brothers transformed mitigation efforts by providing a single, reusable device that shields baited hooks until they sink below 20m, out of reach of most seabirds. (Picture 10)

In this study we trialled the HP-mini for the first time in South African waters, and assessed the operational efficacy and comparing target catch rates between the HP and standard tuna longline gear configuration. Results showed the Hookpod maintained target catch while reducing seabird risk. (Picture 11)
Inshore Hake Trawl Project

In 2021, the Albatross Task Force received a two-year research grant from the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund to address seabird bycatch in South Africa’s inshore trawl fishery. Working with SECIFA and 13 fishing companies across five harbours, the project tackled the challenge of fitting bird-scaring lines to small vessels by designing and testing smaller, more practical versions (Picture 12)

Bespoke seabird mitigation plans were developed for these fleets, alongside trials of electronic monitoring to collect seabird data. The initiative strengthened collaboration with vessel owners and stakeholders, supporting SECIFA’s MSC certification and advancing sustainable fishing practices through tailored solutions.
Imvelo Bird-scaring Line Compliance Device

In 2021, the Albatross Task Force partnered with Imvelo Blue Environment Consultancy to advance a locally invented electronic compliance device that monitors the deployment of Bird-Scaring Lines (BSLs). Funded by the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), the project refined the Imvelo BLS device, which records mechanical tension to confirm proper use of BSLs. (Picture 13)

Invented by Sihle Ngcongo and technically developed by Dr. Nelson Miranda in South Africa, the device was tested at sea under varied conditions, including weather and tampering risks. Improvements enabled easier data capture via USB and broader fleet compatibility, strengthening seabird bycatch mitigation.
Bird Scaring Lines Manufacturing Project

The Bird Scaring Lines (BSLs) are produced in collaboration with the Ocean View Association for Persons with Disabilities (OVAPD), established in 2011. Supported by the FirstRand Foundation, the project promotes biodiversity conservation, on by crafting and supplying four types of BSL, two trawl and two longline designs to the fishing industry. It also creates meaningful employment for persons with disabilities by integrating them into conservation focused production work. OVAPD, a registered non-profit, provides adults with disabilities a space to learn skills, earn income, and access opportunities otherwise limited by transport barriers or the nature of their disabilities, helping them participate in the broader economy and environmental sector. (Picture 14)
Bird-scaring Line Compliance Project (2025-2027)

Fleet-wide implementation trial in the Hake Trawl fishery of the Imvelo Bird-scaring Line tension device.  This innovative device was initially trialed in 2021, by the ATF in partnership with Imvelo Blue Environmental Consultancy. (Picture 6)