Increase visual detectability of fishing gear for mammals

Overall effectiveness category Likely to be beneficial
Number of studies: 2
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

55%
Certainty

45%
Harms

5%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Increasing the visual detectability of fishing gear to marine and freshwater mammals may allow mammals to detect and avoid gear reducing the risk of entanglements. This intervention may involve changing the colour, pattern, or luminosity of gear materials, or attaching markers or LED lights to gear.

Study locations

Key messages

Two studies evaluated the effects on marine mammals of increasing the visual detectability of fishing gear for mammals. One study was in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada) and one was in Cape Cod Bay (USA).

COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES)

POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES)

BEHAVIOUR (2 STUDIES)

Behaviour change (2 studies): One study in the Gulf of St. Lawrence found that minke whales approached white ropes more slowly and changed their bearing more when approaching black ropes compared to ropes of other colours. One study in Cape Cod Bay found that simulated ropes painted red or orange were detected by North Atlantic right whales at greater distances than green but not black ropes, and more whales collided with green ropes than the other three rope colours.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A study in 2010 of a pelagic area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada (Kot et al. 2012) reported that white ropes were approached more slowly by minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata than ropes of other colours, and whales changed their bearing more when approaching black ropes. Results are not based on assessments of statistical significance. Minke whales had greater reductions in swimming speed when approaching white ropes (average -1 m/s) than black, yellow, orange, green or blue ropes (combined average -0.5 m/s). Minke whales changed their bearing more when approaching black ropes (average 91°) than white, yellow, orange, green or blue ropes (combined average 55°). In June–August 2010, experimental trials were carried out with white, black, yellow, orange, green and blue polypropylene ropes (1.5 cm diameter) suspended in water 8–14 m deep. During each trial, 5–10 ropes of the same colour were spaced 15 m apart perpendicular to the shore. Ropes were attached to a buoy and moored to the sea floor. Observers in a boat anchored 100 m away recorded the speed and bearing of 7–12 individual whales passing the ropes of each colour.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Kot B.W., Sears R., Anis A., Nowacek D.P., Gedamke J. & Marshall C.D. (2012) Behavioral responses of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) to experimental fishing gear in a coastal environment. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 413, 13-20.
A study in 2013 at a pelagic site in Cape Cod Bay, USA (Kraus et al. 2014) found that simulated ropes painted red or orange were detected by North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis at greater distances than ropes painted green but not black, and more whales collided with green ropes than the other three rope colours. Changes in the behaviour of right whales approaching the ropes occurred at greater average distances from red ropes (3.9 m) and orange ropes (4.1 m) than green ropes (1.9 m). The difference was not significant between black ropes (3 m) and the other three rope colours. More whales collided with green ropes (total seven whales) than the other three rope colours (total 2–3 whales), although the difference was not tested for statistical significance. A row of four simulated vertical ropes (spaced 25 m apart) were placed 75–100 m in front of whales travelling near the water surface. Ropes consisted of 10-foot sections of rigid PVC pipe (1-inch diameter) painted red, orange, green or black and suspended between a weight and a buoy. Whales were observed from a stationary boat. Changes in the behaviour of whales (including respiration, mouth closures, submergence times, and turning angles) within 10 m of the ropes were recorded by video 52 times during nine days in 2013. Distances were measured with a laser range finder.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Kraus S., Fasick J., Werner T. & McCarron P. (2014) Enhancing the visibility of fishing ropes to reduce right whale entanglements. National Marine Fisheries Service, Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program report.

Please cite as:

Berthinussen, A., Smith, R.K. and Sutherland, W.J. (2021) Marine and Freshwater Mammal Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Marine and Freshwater Mammal Conservation

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