Care In Birds Research Articles

Bird scaring lines reduce seabird mortality in mid-water and bottom trawlers in Argentina

Abstract Seabird bycatch in fisheries, and the development of effective mitigation to minimize this, have been subject to increasing research attention over the past three to four decades. Trawl fisheries represent a particular challenge, as bird mortalities (especially highly threatened albatrosses and large petrels, Procellariforms) occur primarily through difficult-to-detect collisions with warp and net monitoring cables. Effectiveness of bird-scaring lines (BSLs) as a mitigation measure can be fleet-specific, and studies relating specifically to reducing collisions with the net monitoring cable are rare. To support improved assessment and mitigation of seabird bycatch in trawl fisheries, we studied the mortality associated with mid-water and bottom factory trawl vessels along the southern tip of the Argentine Patagonian shelf, across 2144 trawls from 2012 to 2019, with three specific objectives: (i) inform improved bycatch management in this (and other) trawl fisheries by analysing differences in seabird collision rates and outcomes between net monitoring and warp cables, as well as the effect of mitigation measures in reducing collisions; (ii) explore the effects of key fishing operation variables on seabird impact outcomes; and (iii) estimate the annual seabird mortality in the study fleet. We tested the efficacy of BSLs as a mitigation measure to reduce seabird mortality, on warps and net monitoring cables. Our results show that seabird mortality increases in the presence of a net monitoring cable. Our estimation of fishery-wide mortality without the use of BSLs includes 108 [31–186] Southern royal albatross (Diomedea epomophora) and 279 [108–465] Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) killed annually by the collisions with the net monitoring cable. We demonstrate the efficacy of BSLs in reducing the number of collisions and in combination with no discarding of fishes, seabird interactions fell to c. zero. Our study builds the case for better bycatch data collection in trawl fisheries, the strong influence of discarding, and the feasibility of simple mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch, including on the net monitoring cable.

Effect of bird scaring methods on crop productivity and avian diversity conservation in agroecosystems of Benin

Farmers are developing methods to scare off and reduce bird damages. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of these methods through a simple form of evaluation that allowed to highlight relationship between these methods and productivity on the one hand, and the relationship between these methods and conservation of birds in the agricultural environment according to different vegetative stages on the other hand. 713 farmers were interviewed in the agro-ecological zones of Benin. This study reveals the use of four methods. These are auditory method, visual method, exclusion method and mixed method. They are used primarily to reduce "loss and damage" and "reduce the frequency of bird visits". 96.78% of farmers agreed that these methods improve yields. Moreover, effectiveness of the methods varies according to the vegetative stages and the duration of its application. Bird species richness was also significantly and positively influenced by bird control methods (Maize: p= 5767e-3) and (Rice: p=4482e-6). Long-term studies, generalized to different forms of agricultural area, are needed for a better assessment.

Slow sink rate in floated-demersal longline and implications for seabird bycatch risk.

Bycatch of birds in longline fisheries is a global conservation issue, with between 160,000-320,000 seabirds killed each year, primarily through being caught and drowned as they attempt to snatch baits off hooks as they are set. This conservation issue has received significant recognition in southern hemisphere longline fisheries over the past several decades, largely due to the impact on highly charismatic and highly threatened birds, notably Albatrosses. As a result, the use of effective mitigation measures has been subject to fisheries regulations to reduce seabird bycatch from longliners in a number of national jurisdictions and in several Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RMFOs). While mitigation measures have been mandated in a number of north Pacific longline fisheries, this is largely not the case in north Atlantic longline fisheries. This includes vessels using floated-demersal longlines in the North-East Atlantic longline fishery targeting European Hake Merluccius merluccius, in which high levels of seabird bycatch are estimated. In this paper, we analysed the sinking speed of a floated-demersal longline used to target European Hake in the offshore waters of Scotland, to determine potential bycatch risks to seabirds. We deployed Time Depth Recorder devices at different points of the gear. We assessed how this gear performed in comparison to the best practice minimum sink rate of 0.3 m/s recommended by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) to limit bird access to baited hooks. We found that the average sinking speed of the floated-demersal longline was substantially slower than the ACAP recommendation, between two and nine times slower in non-weighted parts of the gear down to 10m water depth. Our work also found that the sink rate is particularly slow in the top 2m of the water column, increasing with depth and stabilizing at depths over 10m, presumably a consequence of propeller wash behind the vessel. We calculated that the distance astern of the vessel for hooks to sink beyond susceptible seabirds' reach largely exceeds optimum coverage of best practice design Bird Scaring Lines (100 m). Our results indicate that hooks from floated-demersal longlines are therefore readily open to seabird attacks, and as a result, present a clear bycatch risk. Research is needed to adapt existing mitigation measures to floated-longlines and to develop novel mitigation approaches to improve the sink rate of the gear without impacting target fish catch.

Predicting the relative effectiveness of different management scenarios at reducing seabird interactions in a demersal trawl fishery

The incidental mortality in trawl fisheries is considered a conservation threat for many seabirds. We simulate management scenarios, combining bird scaring lines (BSL; zero, one and two) and variables describing discards (occurrence, levels, type, and mode), to predict the total seabird collisions with warp cables potentially produced by a demersal trawl fleet operating in a region and season of high seabird abundance. A total of 2067 collisions, including 439 heavy collisions and 53 fatal collisions, were recorded on five trips aboard the Uruguayan trawl fleet. One BSL reduced collisions and heavy collisions by 89%, and the associated mortality by 94%. Best management scenarios in terms of reducing collisions were those without discards, where the models with BSL outperformed the scenarios without BSL. Scenarios with two BSL presented slight improvements, likely caused by the small sample size. Under a scenario without discards, the mortality caused by the entire fleet is likely to be negligible. Given the inability to eliminate discards in most situations, we simulated scenarios of discharge produced in batches with BSL. This could drive mortality to negligible levels. We provide six recommended scenarios (S) ordered by expected reduction in seabird mortality. Fisheries implementing BSL as a single mitigation measure should present a strong reduction in seabird mortality. However, the ability to hold discards on board, at least partially, can drive mortality to negligible levels. This should occur without discards and BSL use (S1), without discards and without BSL (S2), and with batch discharge and BSL use (S3).

Data Analysis of Nursing Effects in Pediatric Gastroenterology Department under High Content Image Analysis Technology.

Objective Based on the nursing analysis of children aged 0∼3 in the Department of Gastroenterology, from the perspective of nursing methods and nutrition, bird's nest nursing and high-quality nursing methods were used to intervene children to help them improve their gastrointestinal conditions and sleep quality (Su-Jin, 2021). Methods A total of 2465 healthy children under 3 years were selected, with normal action and intelligence and accompanied by their parents. Among them, there were 635 children in the observation group (O group) and 355 children in the reference group (R group) in the bird's nest nursing group, 572 children in the O group and 603 children in the R group in the other high-quality nursing group. The observation group received routine nursing, while the control group received nest nursing and quality nursing. The height growth rate, weight growth rate, brain weight growth rate, blood cell routine, and serum biochemical examination results of infants aged 6 months and 3 years in the O group, image analysis technology is used to analyze and discuss the gastrointestinal imaging examination of children, so as to conduct more detailed and accurate research. Results Through the analysis and comparison of the physiological index data of 6-month-old and 3-year-old infants in the observation group and the reference group, and the satisfaction of parents, it was found that the children's physiological indexes, gastrointestinal digestion, weight gain, and brain weight gain rate through bird's nest care and high-quality care were slightly better than those in the observation group, and the parents' satisfaction was also slightly higher. Conclusion Wei et al. (2020). By creating a comfortable environment and simulating the children's growth environment under the mother's care, it is found that the bird's nest care and high-quality care programs can calm children's emotions, increase children's appetite and digestion, so as to promote children's gastrointestinal digestion and achieve the goal of healthy growth (Wei et al, 2020). Finally, the conclusion is drawn that starting from the needs of children, scientific and correct gastrointestinal care and dietary nutrition should be used to promote the healthy growth of children.

Study on the daily activity of scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) in the Indonesian rice field

The Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) is known as a common pest in the Indonesian rice field. However, there is no study on the daily activity of this species. This study aims to determine the daily activity of L. punctulata in rice field habitat. The research was conducted on April-May 2021 in Aceh Besar (Sumatera), Wonogiri (Central Java) and Tulungagung (East Java). Sixty-three hours of observations were carried out in seven days using scan sampling and data recorded using the continuous method. Observation time was divided into morning, afternoon, and evening for three hours each time. Data variation was analyzed with ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis, then the correlation between behavior and temperature was analyzed using Pearson and Spearman Correlation Test. Our results show that moving (35.9 – 65.2%) and feeding (16.9–44.69%) are the most frequently observed behaviors. Only sunbathing behavior in the afternoon was significantly different in three locations (p-value < 0.001). Correlation analysis shows that feeding and sunbathing behavior have an inverse correlation with temperature. However, resting behaviors increases with increasing temperature. Temperature affects daily activities due to the bird’s thermoregulatory system. The other factors also influence L. punctulata behavior, such as other bird species presence and bird scaring activities.

IOT BASED SMART AGRICULTURE

Agriculture plays a vital role in the development of an agricultural country. Around 70% of people depend on farming in our country, and one-third of the nation's income comes from agriculture. Issues concerning agriculture have been continually impeding the improvement of the nation. The main answer for this issue is smart agriculture by modernizing the current customary strategies for farming. Henceforth the undertaking targets making agribusiness smart using computerization and IoT advances. The featuring highlights of this project incorporate smart GPSbased remote-controlled robots to perform errands like weeding, sensing moisture, animal and bird scaring, spraying, and so on. Also, it contains smart irrigation with savvy control and canny dynamic dependent on precise ongoing field information. Thirdly, smart warehouse management includes temperature support, humidity maintenance, and burglary discovery in the stockroom. Controlling of every one of these tasks will be through any far-off shrewd gadget or PC associated with the Web, and the tasks will be performed by interfacing sensors, Wi-Fi or ZigBee modules, camera and actuators with miniature regulator and raspberry pi

A System Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect and Scare Bird Flocks in the Protection of Ripening Fruit.

Flocks of birds may cause major damage to fruit crops in the ripening phase. This problem is addressed by various methods for bird scaring; in many cases, however, the birds become accustomed to the distraction, and the applied scaring procedure loses its purpose. To help eliminate the difficulty, we present a system to detect flocks and to trigger an actuator that will scare the objects only when a flock passes through the monitored space. The actual detection is performed with artificial intelligence utilizing a convolutional neural network. Before teaching the network, we employed videocameras and a differential algorithm to detect all items moving in the vineyard. Such objects revealed in the images were labeled and then used in training, testing, and validating the network. The assessment of the detection algorithm required evaluating the parameters precision, recall, and F1 score. In terms of function, the algorithm is implemented in a module consisting of a microcomputer and a connected videocamera. When a flock is detected, the microcontroller will generate a signal to be wirelessly transmitted to the module, whose task is to trigger the scaring actuator.

Tori lines mitigate seabird bycatch in a pelagic longline fishery

Albatross bycatch has been increasing over the past decade in the US tuna longline fishery of the central North Pacific. A controlled field experiment was used to assess the efficacy of bird scaring or tori lines as a seabird bycatch mitigation measure for this fishery in a 3-factor sampling design with other mitigation methods (blue-dyed bait, offal discharge). A multilevel geoadditive Bayesian regression modeling approach was used to assess 3 albatross-gear interaction metrics (attempted contacts, contacts, captures) recorded for each longline set using an electronic monitoring system. We found albatross contacts with baited hooks were ca. 3 times (95% highest posterior density interval [HDI] 1–7) less likely for sets equipped with tori lines rather than without tori lines. Attempts to contact baited hooks were ca. 2 times (95% HDI 1–4) less likely for tori line-equipped sets. Albatrosses were also less likely to be captured in tori line sets but captures were too few to support strong inference compared with the contact rates. Tori lines were therefore found to be an effective management measure to mitigate albatross interactions in this fishery. Offal discharge during setting, however, was associated with higher seabird interactions—but that inference was not strong since offal discharge and blue-dyed bait were confounded treatments in some sets. Nonetheless, it was apparent that neither offal discharge nor blue-dyed bait was helpful in reducing albatross interactions in this trial and so the efficacy of those measures warrants further experimental investigation.

A contribution to reducing bycatch in a high priority area for seabird conservation in Portugal

SummaryBycatch is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity, affecting ocean ecosystems at a worldwide scale. The main focus of bycatch studies has been on the impact of larger vessels, with few studies assessing the impact of artisanal fisheries. Moreover, bycatch studies are often limited to a small number of marine regions, and significant gaps still exist in our knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of seabird bycatch. Here we present a multi-approach method to accurately quantify seabird bycatch driven by small- and medium-sized fishing fleets operating in a high priority area for seabird conservation on the Portuguese mainland. Results of three mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch on fishing gear where seabird bycatch is most likely to occur were also tested: high contrast panels in bottom gillnets, black hooks in demersal longlines and a bird scaring device in purse seines. The efficacy, acceptance, and economic viability were tested for each mitigation measure. Sixty-seven individuals of seven seabird species were bycaught during 295 monitored fishing trips between 2015 and 2018. Bycatch occurred mainly in demersal longlines (0.07 birds fishing event-1), followed by purse seines (0.02 birds fishing event-1) and bottom gillnets (0.01 birds fishing event-1). Nevertheless, the bird scaring device caused birds to interact less with the vessel (the presence of gulls was reduced by 11%), thus decreasing the likelihood of bycatch. This device has proved to be low-cost (representing less than 5% income of a single day’s landings) and easy to implement, being also well accepted by purse seine fishermen. It was not possible to evaluate the efficacy of high contrast panels and black hooks, as no bycatch events were recorded during trials.

Division of Labour in Rice Production and Processing across Gender in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study assessed division of labour in rice production and processing across gender in Ogun state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used in sampling 120 rice farmers who are both producers and processors. Primary data were obtained from the respondents with the use of structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, charts, mean and t-test statistic. The findings revealed that, in rice production; clearing of farm land (90.0%), de-stumping/packing (98.3%), and tilling of land (98.3%) were mainly carried out by men while women were more involved in activities such as planting (52.5%), weeding (50.8%), bird scaring (69.%), harvesting and packing (74.2%). In rice processing; men performed major activities in milling (95.8%), de-stoning (95.0%) and transportation (91.6%) while women were more involved in threshing (84.2%), sun drying (80.9%), and winnowing (87.5%). The result of t- test showed that, there was significant differences in the average quantity of rice (kg) produced by men and women in year 2012 (t=3.930; p≤0.05), 2013 (t=4.748; p≤0.05), 2014 (t=3.570; p≤0.05) and 2016 (t=3.096); p≤0.05) but there was no significant difference between the average rice produced by men and women (t=0.308; p&gt;0.05) in year 2015. Interventions to address the rice production and processing in major energy require activities (like clearing, milling) should be tailored towards men while low energy activities (like planting, harvesting, marketing) interventions should be tailored towards women in order to enhance high productivity and quality processing.&#x0D; Keywords: gender division of labour, rice production, rice processing

The Efficacy of Visual and Auditory Bird Scaring Techniques using Drone at Paddy Fields

Birds can cause damages to crop and financial losses to farmers and able to spread exotic diseases such as Avian influenza and Newcastle disease to human. Numerous methods have been used in controlling birds, e.g. chemical, auditory, visual and lethal. In this research, visual and auditory methods were applied, where reflective boards and speaker were installed on a drone and were flown at different altitudes and intervals. The scaring approach were divided into five (5) categories; reflective board only, ultrasonic sound, predator sound, combination of reflective board and ultrasonic sound and combination of reflective board and predator sound. The test was conducted at a paddy field plot, Botanical Park, Shah Alam. The findings indicate that combination of visual and auditory techniques scared the highest number of birds. However, the effectiveness gradually decreases as altitude increases. The interval of flight does not show any correlation with the number of birds that flew away. It is recommended to conduct future research far from residential area due the sound from the drone and auditory devices which cause disturbances to residents. Future experiments should be conducted in a control environment, free from human and ground vehicles interruption in order to have better observations on the efficacy of the chosen methods.

Self-Automated Agriculture System using IoT

The world populationsupposed to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 and is difficult of feed such population . So for feeding the entire population the agriculture sector should be embed with IOT and farmers also should adopt this technology [1]. It is essential to increase the productivity of farming and agricultural process with the help of technologies like IoT.IoT can make farming easier by reducing the cost by decreasing the intervention of farmers in this field through automation. This paper aim is to develop a self- autonomous agriculture system works by connecting physical devices and systems to the internet. IoT is a very promising technology to drive the agricultural sector, it is the backbone for sustainable development mainly in developing countriesthat are experiencing rapid population growth like China, India etc, stressed natural resources, agricultural productivity reduction due to climate change. Hence the paper aims at making the agriculture smart using IoT technologies. The projects include a GPS based robot to perform tasks like weeding, spraying, moisture sensing, bird scaring, keeping vigilance, etc. This project requires smart irrigation with smart control and best decision making based on accurate real time data. Thisincludes crop management, waste management, warehouse management, theft control etc. Controlling of all the operations will be through a remote smart device like phone or computer connected to Internet and the operations will be performed by using sensors, Wi-Fi or ZigBee modules, cellular, LoRa,camera and actuators with micro-controller and raspberry pi [2].

Economic aspects birds of prey usage as bird control operation

Birds attracted to citys waste landfills represent a significant hazard and additional inconvenience to people. It is necessary to understand not only the reasons for which birds enter the given territory, but also the economic components of the scaring process. The article analyzes the results of bird control management work at several waste management facilities. Based on these calculations, its possible to determine of costs level and select the optimal model for the work of specialists in bird scaring.

Effects of best practices to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries on other threatened, protected and bycaught megafauna species

Fisheries bycatch is one of main conservation problems for many threatened seabirds. Currently, it is unknown whether existing best practices to mitigate seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries influence the capture of other vulnerable taxa. We assessed the effect of two seabird mitigation measures for pelagic longline fisheries on 13 threatened, protected and/or bycaught species, including elasmobranchs, teleosts, sea turtles and fur seals. Analyses were from two experimental studies in Uruguay assessing the effect of a bird scaring line (BSL) and branch lines with weights close to the hooks (weighted branch lines) on these taxa. One hundred longline sets with randomized use of a BSL were deployed. In turn, 224 paired longline sections, with control branch lines versus weighted branch lines, were deployed. BSL use did not increase the capture of any of the species addressed. No detectable differences in capture rate were recorded in our branch line weighting study. However, the effect of branch line weighting in the capture of Porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) remains unclear and requires further research. Our study suggests that effective measures to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline have no negative connotations for other vulnerable species. Caution should be exercised when interpreting our results as analyses were underpowered to detect small and subtle differences in the catch rates. We strongly encourage researchers to conduct similar studies to elucidate potential regional and across fisheries differences in the effect of seabird mitigation measures in other vulnerable taxa, as well as the effect that mitigation measures for other taxa may have on seabirds.

Mitigating bycatch of threatened seabirds: the effectiveness of branch line weighting in pelagic longline fisheries

AbstractSubstantial numbers of seabirds are bycaught each year in pelagic longline fisheries. Increasing the sink rate of baited hooks by reducing the distance between the hook and the weight of the branch lines (leader length) has enormous potential to mitigate this bycatch. Here, we test the effect of reducing the leader length on seabird attacks on baited hooks and bycatch rates plus the effect on fish catch rates on the Uruguayan slope. Two branch line configurations were tested: a control treatment (CT) of the standard branch lines used in the Uruguayan fishery, with 75 g swivels on 4.5 m leaders; and two experimental treatments (ET) consisting of branch lines with either a 60 g or 65 g weight on 1 m leaders. Seabird attacks were assessed during 34 daylight longline sets (100–150 hooks each) without a bird scaring line (BSL) comparing two treatments: CT versus 65 g ET. The fish catch was assessed during 224 paired sections (75 vs. 75 hooks) from 109 fishing sets deployed mostly during the night and with a BSL, comprising 77 pairs of CT versus 60 g ET and 147 pairs of CT versus 65 g ET. The number of primary (231 vs. 91) and multiple (50 vs. 14) attacks were significantly higher in the CT compared with the 65 g ET respectively. The seabird bycatch rate was 42.5% lower in the 65 g ET than in the CT. The use of branch lines with short leaders did not affect the catch of target species. This study conducted in an area of high bycatch risk provides strong experimental support for the use of branch line weighting to reduce seabird bycatch. Based on the observed bycatch rates, this measure should be implemented in combination with other mitigation measures. The simultaneous use of branch line weighting, a BSL and night setting resulted in zero seabird bycatch.

Hawk kite as potential bird scare device (the case of pigeons and grain processing factory)

Here we presented the preliminary results of hawk kite usage against the feral pigeons in some grain processing factory. We studied the temporal and spatial patterns of repellent effect and bird behavior. We suggested the feral pigeons gradually increase the level of tolerance towards the hawk kite if no additional repellent measures were undertaken. Moreover, even initially the feral pigeons demonstrate higher tolerance towards the hawk kite compared to the Rooks or Hooded Crows.

Feeding the world while reducing farmer poverty? Analysis of rice relative yield and labour productivity gaps in two Beninese villages

Abstract Improvements in agricultural land and labour productivity are needed to meet the growing food demand and reduce farmer poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of this study were to (i) quantify variation in labour inputs, yield and labour productivity among rice fields; (ii) elicit factors associated with this variation; and (iii) identify opportunities for improving yield and labour productivity. The study was carried out in two contrasting Beninese villages: Zonmon in the south and Pelebina in the north-west. In Zonmon 82 irrigated rice fields were surveyed during the 2013 and 2014 dry seasons. In Pelebina 50 rainfed lowland rice fields were surveyed over three rainy seasons (2012–2014). Data on farmer field management practices and field conditions were recorded through interviews with farmers, on-farm observations and measurements. Stepwise regression analyses were used to identify variables associated with variation in yield, labour inputs and labour productivity. Average yields were 4.8 ± 2.0 t ha−1 in Zonmon and 2.3 ± 1.2 t ha−1 in Pelebina. Average labour productivity, however, was larger in Pelebina (17 kg of paddy rice person-day−1) than in Zonmon (8 kg of paddy rice person-day−1). Relative yield gaps (43–48%) and labour productivity gaps (59–63%) were similar in the villages. There was no trade-off between yield and labour or labour productivity within the villages, suggesting that in many cases rice yields can be increased without additional labour inputs. The major labour-demanding farming operations were bird scaring in Zonmon and harvesting and threshing in Pelebina. We identified opportunities to improve rice yield and labour productivity, given current farmer knowledge and resource endowment. Based on the statistical models fitted per village, increasing the average hill density would result in up to 1.2 t ha−1 more yield, and up to 4 kg person-day−1 greater labour productivity for Zonmon. Increasing the average field size and avoiding rice shading would result in up to 0.8 t ha−1 more yield, and up to 17.1 kg person-day−1 greater labour productivity for Pelebina. Further enhancing yield and labour productivity will require (i) introducing small-scale mechanisation and other labour-saving innovations, in particular for labour-demanding farming operations such as bird scaring in Zonmon and harvesting and threshing in Pelebina; and (ii) combining analyses of yields and labour productivities at field level with detailed analyses of labour use and labour productivity at farm level. We found that, on average, one hectare in Zonmon contributed twice as much to Beninese rice production than one hectare in Pelebina but with a two times smaller reward for farmer labour. This paradox of higher yields but lower labour productivity in such different rice growing environments and farming systems should be addressed in elaborating development policies.

Fishery-specific solutions to seabird bycatch in the U.S. West Coast sablefish fishery

Abstract Bird scaring lines (BSLs) protect longline fishing gear from seabird attacks, save bait, reduce incidental seabird mortality and are the most commonly prescribed seabird bycatch mitigation measure worldwide. We collaborated with fishermen to assess the efficacy of applying BSL regulations from the demersal longline sablefish fishery in Alaska to a similar fishery along the U.S West Coast. In contrast to Alaska, some U.S. West Coast vessels use floats along the line to keep hooks off the seafloor, where scavengers degrade the bait and the target catch. Our results confirmed that BSL regulations from Alaska were sufficient to protect baits from bird attacks on longlines without floats, but not baits on longlines with floats. Longlines with floats sank below the reach of albatrosses (2 m depth) at a distance astern (157.7 m ± 44.8 95% CI) that was 2.3 times farther than longlines without floats (68.8 m ± 37.8 95% CI). The floated longline distance was well beyond the protection afforded by BSLs, which is approximately 40 m of aerial extent. Black-footed albatross attacked floated longlines at rates ten times more (2.7 attacks/1000 hooks, 0.48–4.45 95%CI) than longlines without floats (0.20 attacks/1000 hooks, 0.01–0.36 95% CI). Retrospective analysis of NOAA Fisheries Groundfish Observer Program data suggested that seabird bycatch occurs in a few sablefish longline fishing sectors and a minority of vessels, but is not confined to larger vessels. Analysis also confirmed fishermen testimonials that night setting reduced albatross bycatch by an order of magnitude compared to daytime setting, without reducing target catch. Night setting could be an effective albatross bycatch prevention practice if applied to the U.S. West Coast sablefish longline fishery and provide a practical alternative for vessels that elect to use floated longlines. These results highlight the importance of understanding region-specific longline gear modifications to identify effective bycatch reduction tools and the value of working collaboratively with fishermen to craft solutions.

Impact of Wild Birds on Agriculture at Desert Reclaimed Lands With an Evaluation of Some Safe Damage Preventive Methods

Survey of wild bird species was done in El-Wady El-Gadid Governorate during years 2014 and 2015. Evaluation of some environmentally safe bird damage-prevention methods were carried out in rice, sorghum and wheat fields. The survey results showed that 15 bird species Resident (Re) and Visitor (Vi) were recorded; Bubulcus ibis (Cattle egret) (Re), Vanellus spinosus (Spur winged lapwing) (Re), Spilopelia senegalensis (Laughing dove) (Re), Streptopelia decaocto (Eurasian collared dove) (Re), Motacilla alba (White wagtail) (Vi)and Passer domesticus (house sparrow) (Re), were found in El-Kharga, El- Dakhla and El-Farafra, Elanus caeruleus (Black-winged kite) (Re), Athene noctua (Little owl) (Re), Gallinula chloropus (Moorhen) (Vi), Ardeola ralloides (The squacco heron) (Vi), Merops persicus (Blue-cheeked bee-eater) (Vi), Egretta garzetta (Little egret) (Vi), Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged stilt) (Re) and Pycnonotus goiavier (yellow-vented bulbul) were found in El- Dakhla. While Coturnix ypsilophora (The brown quail) (Re) was found in El-Kharga. Results also revealed that damage in rice by thehouse sparrow was high in Gharb-El-Mawhob. While laughing dove caused high damage in sorghum crop, but it did not cause damage in wheat, in El-Dakhla. There was significant decrease in house sparrow damage to rice by using three methods of bird scaring methods, i.e. balloon, metallic-coloured stripes and aluminium reflective stripes at three different hights. The damage of laughing dove to sorghum crop was also significantly decreased by the use of these scaring devises at different heights compared with control. It could be concluded that the best bird environmentally scaring method was the aluminium reflective stripes, at