Progress report on the development and testing of the underwater bait setter for pelagic longline fisheries

This paper summarises recent progress and future work relating to the development, construction and testing of a device that sets hooks several metres underwater to avoid detection by seabirds.

The underwater setter is a stern-mounted hydraulically-driven device. It comprises components that are fixed to the vessel and a component (a capsule that holds the baited hook) that is driven down into the water column each time a hook is set. This design is the most fuel efficient method of delivering baited hooks at required depths underwater because it minimises the drag associated with devices that remain underwater while setting (e.g., underwater setting chutes). The device is modular and can be readily retrofitted to most tuna fishing vessels after their construction.

Note: also found among the meeting documents of the Third Meeting of the Seabird Bycatch Working Group (ACAP). SBWG-3 Doc 06