Floating Scarecrows Help Cornish Fishers Reduce Seabird Deaths in Nets

Fishers in Cornwall are testing a low-cost solution to a long-standing conservation problem: seabirds drowning after becoming entangled in fishing nets. A two-year study has found that simple deterrents, including bird-shaped kites and a floating scarecrow device, can substantially reduce the number of diving birds caught underwater.

Every year, an estimated 95,000 diving seabirds, including razorbills and guillemots, are thought to drown in fishing nets, according to the research. These birds dive underwater in pursuit of fish and can become trapped in nets set beneath the surface, with fatal consequences.

A Simple, Low-Cost Fix

The deterrents tested in the study rely on visual cues to discourage birds from diving near nets in the first place. Bird-shaped kites mimic the presence of predators, while the floating scarecrow serves a similar purpose, aiming to keep seabirds away from danger zones without requiring expensive equipment or significant changes to fishing practices.

Researchers and local fishers involved in the project have described the results as encouraging, noting that the devices are inexpensive to produce and simple to deploy compared with more complex technological solutions. The study was supported through community funding, reflecting local interest in finding practical ways to protect seabird populations without disrupting the fishing industry that many coastal communities depend on.

If the approach proves scalable, researchers suggest it could offer a model for other fishing communities facing similar seabird bycatch issues, potentially reducing drowning deaths while preserving traditional fishing livelihoods.