Floating scarecrow buoy cuts seabird deaths in fishing nets

If you gaze out toward the ocean and see a massive set of eyes watching you back, take it as no cause for alarm. Researchers have installed what amounts to a floating scarecrow off the coast of Cornwall. This device, officially called the Looming Eye Buoy or LEB, aims to stop seabirds from ending up inside fishing nets. Tom Hooper, a senior fisheries scientist at Fishtek Marine, explained the mechanics clearly. The buoy features a rotating head with an eye that creates the illusion of an animated gaze. This looming effect deters birds from approaching the gear.

It may sound funny to some, yet data proves the method works well. After deployment, the risk of guillemots and razorbills getting tangled in nets fell by 59 per cent. During a two-year trial involving ten Cornish fishermen equipped with cameras on their vessels, scientists monitored these effects closely on seabird bycatch levels. The problem remains significant; roughly 95,000 seabirds are accidentally caught and drowned in nets along the European coast annually. This phenomenon, known as bycatch, strikes several species hard, specifically guillemots and razorbills.

The University of Exeter team tested two distinct deterrent strategies: the LEBs and so-called scarybird kites. As the name implies, these kites are shaped like predators. The results showed both techniques delivered strong outcomes. Bird capture chances dropped by 59 per cent with the buoys and climbed to a 71 per cent reduction using the kites. Tom Horton, the lead author from the University of Exeter, noted that this study offers some of the strongest evidence yet that simple, practical deterrents can substantially reduce seabird bycatch in gillnet fisheries. By pinpointing exactly when and where risk spikes, authorities now have a clear path to target mitigation measures where they offer the greatest conservation benefit for vulnerable populations while encouraging sustainable fishing habits.

Earlier this year, scientists from the same university suggested sticking googly eyes on takeaway boxes to keep hungry birds away. Amazingly, gulls found these marked boxes less appealing. They approached slower and were far less likely to peck at them. Mr Hooper added that any technology used at sea must be simple and robust. Working directly with fishermen meant learning how devices are actually used in the field, allowing teams to refine tools so they fit operational needs perfectly.

This isn't the first time researchers have turned to eyes for protection against seabirds. Dr Laura Kelley explained the psychology behind it in an article for The Conversation. Many animals, whether wild or domesticated, recognize eyes as indicators of a predator or signals of intent. Direct eye contact often conveys aggression, while looking away suggests no threat. Animals generally respond defensively when they see something staring right back at them.