Floating scarecrows: how Cornish fishers are stopping seabirds drowning in their nets

In the cold winter waters off Cornwall, a quiet revolution is taking place. Ten local fishers, armed with a simple buoy that looks more like a looming pair of eyes than a piece of marine equipment, are helping to stem the tide of seabird deaths that have plagued European gill‑net fisheries for decades. The devices – a floating “scarecrow” buoy and a bird‑shaped kite – have been shown in a two‑year trial to cut the risk of razorbills, guillemots and other diving birds becoming entangled by as much as two‑thirds. The findings, published in Conservation Letters and analysed by the University of Exeter, could reshape how the industry balances profit with conservation.

The scale of the problem

Every year, an estimated 95,000 diving birds are unintentionally caught in gill‑nets along European coasts. These birds, which include the iconic razorbill and guillemot, dive beneath the surface to chase fish, only to become trapped in the vertical walls of netting that hang beneath the water. The mortality rate is high; once entangled, the birds drown quickly, adding a grim tally to the already precarious status of many seabird populations.

While the figure of 95,000 is a continent‑wide estimate, the impact is felt acutely in Cornwall, where the winter months see the highest incidence of by‑catch. The seasonal spike points to a clear pattern: colder waters bring more fish, attracting more seabirds, and consequently increasing the likelihood of accidental capture. Understanding this seasonal rhythm is crucial for targeting mitigation measures where they matter most.

Simple solutions, striking results

The two‑year trial, coordinated by ten Cornish fishers and the marine‑technology firm Fishtek Marine, tested two low‑tech deterrents. The first, a “looming‑eyes buoy” (LEB), features a spinning head with oversized eyes that rotate as the buoy bobs in the sea. The second, a commercially available “scarybird” kite, mimics the silhouette of a predatory bird and flutters above the water’s surface. Both devices aim to exploit the birds’ instinctive aversion to potential threats.

Results were striking. The chance of a seabird being caught in a gill‑net fell by 59 % when LEBs were deployed, and by 71 % when the kite was used. These reductions translate to a substantial decrease in mortality, offering a pragmatic pathway to protect vulnerable seabird colonies without imposing heavy burdens on fishers.

How the devices work

The LEB’s design is deliberately conspicuous. Its rotating head creates a visual disturbance that mimics the movement of a predator’s eyes, prompting diving birds to abort their plunge before they reach the net’s vertical walls. The kite, by contrast, presents a silhouette that resembles a raptor gliding overhead, triggering an instinctive avoidance response. Both deterrents rely on behavioural cues rather than physical barriers, meaning they do not interfere with the net’s fishing efficiency.

Crucially, the devices are inexpensive and easy to install. Fishtek Marine supplied the buoys, while the kite is commercially available, meaning that the technology can be rolled out quickly across fleets without extensive retraining or costly retrofits. This simplicity has been highlighted as a key advantage in the push for broader adoption.

Scientific validation

University of Exeter researcher Tom Horton, lead author of the study, described the findings as “some of the strongest evidence to date that simple, practical deterrents can substantially reduce seabird by‑catch in gillnet fisheries.” The study’s methodology involved fitting cameras to the participating boats, allowing researchers to monitor seabird behaviour in real time and quantify the devices’ impact.

By correlating the presence of the deterrents with reduced by‑catch rates, the researchers were able to isolate the effect of the devices from other variables such as weather or fish stock fluctuations. The rigorous analysis underpins the claim that the observed reductions are directly attributable to the LEB and kite, rather than to incidental changes in fishing practices.

Implications for policy and practice

The evidence now provides a clear lever for policymakers seeking to balance marine conservation with the livelihoods of coastal communities. With the seasonal peak in winter identified, regulators could mandate the use of deterrents during the high‑risk months, ensuring protection when it is most needed while allowing flexibility the rest of the year.

Such targeted measures align with the RSPB’s by‑catch programme manager, Yann Rouxel, who praised the study as a “major milestone” that demonstrates effective mitigation without impeding fishers at sea. The endorsement from a leading conservation body adds weight to calls for industry‑wide adoption, potentially shaping future European Union fisheries directives and national regulations.

Challenges and next steps

Despite the promising results, scaling the solution will require coordination. Adoption hinges on convincing a broader cohort of fishers that the devices do not compromise catch rates. Ongoing monitoring will be essential to ensure that the deterrents remain effective across different marine environments and fishing methods.

Future research could explore refinements, such as optimal buoy placement or kite design tweaks, to maximise deterrent impact. Moreover, extending trials beyond Cornwall to other European fishing hotspots would test the devices’ versatility and help build a pan‑European evidence base.

What this means for Cornwall’s seabirds

For the razorbill and guillemot colonies that nest along Cornwall’s rugged coastline, the introduction of LEBs and kites offers a tangible lifeline. By reducing winter by‑catch, the devices could help stabilise declining populations, contributing to the broader recovery of seabird numbers across the region.

Beyond the immediate conservation gains, the initiative showcases a model of collaborative problem‑solving: scientists, conservationists, technology firms and fishers working together to devise low‑cost, high‑impact solutions. If the momentum continues, Cornwall could become a benchmark for sustainable fisheries, proving that protecting wildlife need not come at the expense of those who depend on the sea for their livelihood.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: The Guardian UK; theguardian.com; Global1.News (04 October 2026).

By Erica Thornton, Staff Writer