Read about the Smart Hook in the latest Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter

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The latest issue (No. 11, Nov-Dec 2008) of the electronic Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter (BCNN) has now been published.  The issue contains two articles of interest to the conservation of albatrosses and petrels.

Hans Jusseit (Ahi Enterprises, Australia) writes (pp. 7-9) on the “Smart Hook”, a new development whereby the longline hook is protected by a shield, held in place by a bio-degradable pin, which dissolves and releases the shield, thus exposing the baited hook at a depth of below 25 m.

The second article, by Shelly Biswell, Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust , New Zealand reports (pp. 9-10) on the recent workshop held in November 2008 by the SSST.  The Workshop received a presentation on the Smart Hook, expected to be on the market by mid-2009, as well as on two other developments to reduce mortality in longline fisheries: the “Cachaloteras” or Chilean Longline System* and the New Zealand -developed Kiwi Longline Setting Tunnel (click here to view a separate ACAP news item on the SSST Workshop).

The BCNN may be received by e-mail on request from its Editor, Emma Bradshaw at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. or found by going to the NOAA Fisheries Service web site's Bycatch Feature at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/bycatch.htm.

*To read a paper on the Chilean Longline System go to http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/Vol-15-2008/04moreno-et-al.pdf.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 8 December 2008