WO2005067711A1

WO2005067711A1 - Method and apparatus for camouflaging fish bait to protect against catch of unwanted species, as well as fishing tackle with camouflaged bait

Info

Publication number: WO2005067711A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Floris R. J. Koumans
Original assignee: Savewave B.V.
Priority date: 2004-01-20
Filing date: 2005-01-20
Publication date: 2005-07-28

Abstract

The invention relates to fishing tackle with bait camouflaged to protect against unwanted bycatch, comprising a fishing line portion carrying a baited fishing hook, the baited hook being enclosed in an in water disintegratable packaging. The invention also relates to a method of camouflaging fish bait to protect against catch of unwanted species, wherein a baited hook on a fishing line is enclosed in an in water disintegratable packaging. Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for camouflaging fish bait, comprising a packager that encloses baited hooks carried on fishing line portions in an in water disintegratable packaging and to the use of water disintegratable polymer composition, in particular a dark coloured water disintegratable film, for camouflaging baited fish hooks to protect against bycatch of unwanted species, in particular seabirds.

Description

Title: Method and apparatus for camouflaging fish bait to protect against catch of unwanted species, as well as fishing tackle with camouflaged bait.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for camouflaging fish bait to protect against catch of unwanted species, as well as to fishing tackle comprising a fishing line portion carrying a camouflaged baited hook. In commercial fishing, the fishing tackle often comprises a hook with bait. The largest segment of commercial fishing based on lines with baited hooks is long lining. Long lining is a fishing practice that is implemented world wide. The fishing tackle usually involves very long stretches of line set with thousands of baited hooks. There are two specific types of long lining: - Pelagic long lining, wherein a main line of many kilometers in length has spaced apart side lines, the side lines each carrying a baited hook.

The main line is set out of a boat and sinks to a chosen depth, where it hangs freely in the water suspended from the surface by floaters at certain distances. By varying parameters such as bait, depth and hooks a specific target fish is targeted for catch. Target fish in pelagic long lining include swordfish and tuna. - Demersal or bottom set long lining, wherein a main line of many kilometers in length has spaced apart side lines that each carry a baited hook. The main line is set out of a boat and sinks to the bottom, often reaching depths of over one kilometer. Bottom set long lining generally targets smaller pieces of fish, and thus generally uses smaller sizes of hooks and bait. Target fish in demersal long lining include halibut, hake, patagonian toothfish and cod. Although very discriminating in target fish species and thus in principle less harmful for the general fish population than fishing with nets, there is a major ecological problem in commercial long lining: relatively high rates of catch of unwanted species other than fish, in particular seabirds, turtles and seals. When setting the line in long lining, the hooks get baited. The bait used is usually a chunk of fish, squid or octopus, but may include any other type of bait that attracts the targeted species of fish. Most of the types of bait are, however, also attractive to other species than the target species, in particular to seabirds, turtles and seals. When the line is set out during the day, the seabirds are able to detect the bait on the hooks that slowly sink towards the desired fishing depth. When a seabird detects a piece of bait, it dives after it and tries to eat it. In many cases the bird swallows the bait with the hook and in this way gets caught on the line, drowns and dies. For other unwanted species of catch such as turtles or seals the process is much the same. At this moment many seabird populations are under severe pressure due to the high rates of unwanted catch from long lining. Some seabird species, e.g. the albatross, are already threatened with extinction. Accidental bycatch in long lining is the single greatest threat to the world's seabird population. Presently 26 species of seabird, including 17 species of albatross are in danger of extinction because of the deaths caused by long lining. As can be imagined, these unwanted and terrible deaths greatly affect the commercial long lining industry. Pressure of governmental organizations, non governmental organizations and consumers are imposing restrictions and regulations on the long lining industry. This is unwanted by the fishermen and poses a threat to this type of fishing that actually would have a relatively low impact on the environment if the bycatch issue could be avoided. Prohibiting long lining will probably cause fishermen to shift to other types of fishing, which are less discriminating in target fish and generally have a relatively high number of marine mammal bycatches. To prevent unwanted species getting caught in long line fishing, the long line fishermen presently has several options. These options include: - Setting out the long lines at night. This prevents the seabirds from seeing the bait when it is set out. This, however, has a major impact on the fishermen's operation. Firstly, the fishermen have to work at night, when conditions are harsher than during the day. Secondly, many valuable fishing hours are lost waiting. For example, when the line is hauled in during the day, the fishermen have to wait until it gets dark before setting out the line again. Setting out the long lines at night is therefore rather inefficient and costly for the fishermen. - Dragging bird- scaring lines (tori lines) behind the vessel. These lines have plastic streamers tied to them that flap in the wind and scare birds away from the baited fishing line. This possibihty is labour intensive, increases the costs of fishing and is far from fully effective. - Using fast sinking lines. The weight of the main line is increased by using specific materials, e.g. lead. This brings the hook faster to the desired depth, so that the seabird has less time to detect and swallow the baited hook. Such fast sinking lines do not have a significant negative influence on the catch, but greatly increase the costs of fishing as they are approximately thirty percent more expensive th.an normal lines. Further, lead that gets lost at sea is very harmful for the environment. - Camouflaging the bait to protect against unwanted species of catch. By colouring the bait in a dark colour, e.g. dark blue or black, it will be harder for the seabirds to detect the bait. Also because the bait is dark coloured, it is less attractive. A first problem with colouring is that it influences the attractiveness of the bait to the targeted species. It is difficult to dye the bait in such a way that the colour dissolves in such a time and to such a degree that the bait remains optimally attractive to the target fish. In particular, the uncertainty of the fishermen to catch the same amount of fish as when using undyed bait makes them hesitant to make use of this option. In practice, colouring the bait has a negative economic effect for the fishermen, as it only increases the handling and costs of the bait and does not increase the catch. Although each of the above options solves a part of the problem, none of these options offers an effective and commercially attractive solution. Such an effective and commercially attractive solution should include a total or near total stop of unwanted bycatch combined with a positive economic effect for the fishermen, e.g. a reduction in costs and/or an increase in catch. The present invention aims to provide a dramatic decrease in bycatch of unwanted species, in particular a total or near total stop of seabird bycatch, combined with a reduction of costs and/or an increase in catch. Thereto, the invention provides for fishing tackle with bait camouflaged to protect against unwanted bycatch, comprising a fishing line portion carrying a baited fishing hook, the baited hook being enclosed in a water disintegratable packaging structure. By enclosing the baited hook in an in water disintegrating packaging, the bait can be camouflaged from being detected by unwanted species of catch during setting out of the line and during the initial stages of sinking. After the baited hook enclosed in the packaging has passed the initial stages of sinking and is out of reach of seabirds and preferably also out of reach of turtles and/or seals, the packaging disintegrates in the water to such an extent that the enclosed baited hook becomes accessible for the target species. To optimize the camouflaging effect of the packaging, the packaging preferably has a dark coloured outer appearance, e.g. a dark blue or black outer colour. However, it shall be clear that the camouflaging effect of the packaging is based on the prevention of unwanted species to recognize the enclosed baited hook as bait, and may e.g. also be achieved by giving the package an appearance that is frightening, e.g. fluorescent. Further, to increase the camouflaging effect, the package preferably encloses the baited hook such that the odour of the bait is kept within the package, e.g. by means of a substantially odour tight packaging structure. Within this context, the terms "in water disintegrating" or "water disintegratable" define the property of a material or object that it loses its integrity in water e.g. because it, parts or components thereof dissolve, degrade or disperse in water. Disintegration of the packaging structure means that the enclosed baited hook becomes accessible for the target species, e.g. through collapse, opening, unfolding of the packaging structure after dissolution, degradation or dispersion of parts or components of the structure in water or e.g. by falling apart of the complete packaging structure by dissolution, degradation or dispersion of the structure in water. The water soluble packaging may include a packaging structure that is partially disintegratable in water, e.g. a package that is kept together by water disintegratable parts, e.g. water disintegratable welds or glue connecting non-water soluble parts. Preferably, the packaging is fully disintegratable in water. The package may be composed of components having the same disintegration time, or of a single component. The packaging structure may also be composed of water disintegratable components that have different disintegration times, e.g. a relatively quickly disintegrating glue that binds a more slowly disinte rating packaging material. This way, the packaging can be designed to fall apart rather suddenly, so that the enclosed baited hook can rather abruptly become fully accessible at a chosen time. The packaging enclosing the baited hook need not have, and preferably does not have any negative influence on the attractiveness of the bait. Moreover, as will be discussed more in detail further on, during sinking of the bait, the packaging can actually prevent the bait from losing any of its attractiveness. Although packaging the baited hook requires an investment, this investment is won back by having more baited hooks available at the target depth, which hooks have a better quality of bait. The camouflaging packaging keeps seabirds from targeting the bait, which significantly increases the availabihty of baited hooks at target depth. Further, less hooks get lost through accidental catch of seabirds, turtles and seals and time to remove dead seabirds, turtles and seals from the line can be saved. Preferably, the water disintegratable packaging structure is made of biologically degradable and/or environmentally friendly material. Preferably, the water disintegratable packaging comprises a water disintegratable polymer composition. A presently preferred water disintegratable polymer composition is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). However, as will be set out further, other water disintegratable compositions may also be used e.g. Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), Poly Glycolic Acid (PGA) or Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) or compositions e.g. based on cellulose, glucose or starch. PVA is a material that resembles a plastic and has the ability to disperse in water, which characteristic can be controlled relatively well. Further, PVA can be coloured relatively easy, is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Preferably, the packaging comprises water disintegratable film, in particular PVA film. Such film is commercially available through MonoSol, LLC of Portage, Indiana, U.S.A. Advantageously, the film is provided with a dark colour, e.g. by adding dark pigments. Advantageously, the packaging comprises a wrapping encosing the baited hook. This way the baited hook can be packaged with film rather easily. However, the packaging may also comprise a bag or sachet enclosing the baited hook. In yet another embodiment, the packaging may comprise a box or a tube. To ensure that the packaging does not negatively influence the characteristics of the bait, the packaging structure is preferably self supporting and preferably does not adhere or stick to the bait. Preferably, the disintegration time of the packaging in water is several tens of minutes, in particular approximately 100 minutes. This way, the package can be set to open after the bait has descended, e.g. when the bait has reached its target depth or during the final stages of descent. As an option, the packaging may also enclose additives, in particular attractants such as fish meal or fish oil. Optionally, the packages of camouflaged fishing bait are frozen, e.g. to keep them fresh and to prevent premature disintegration of the packaging. The fishing line portion extending from the packaging may be the main hne. However, preferably, the main line is part of a long fishing line that is provided with a plurality of interspaced side hnes, each side hne comprising a line portion with a baited hook that is enclosed in a water disintegratable packaging. Preferably, each water disintegratable packaging encloses a single baited hook. However, optionally, the packaging may enclose more hooks. Using the invention, the catch of target species can be increased due to: - The better quality of bait, because taste, smell and texture of the bait can be preserved as the packaging can shield the bait from being washed out during sinking. Retaining the characteristics of the bait is very important for the catch. - The possibility to use additive that increase the attractiveness of the bait to the target species. When the bait is packaged in accordance with the invention, it is possible to add to the enclosure certain substances that create an odour or that are attractive to the target fish, which substances are released after the package has been dissolved. Such additives can e.g. be fish meal or fish oil. By fine-tuning the dissolving time of the package, one can release the attractant at the desired depth. - More availability of baited hooks for target fish, as less baited hooks will be picked clean by birds and other unwanted species. - Less losses of hooks due to unwanted bycatch and less time to be spent on the removal of unwanted bycatch. The invention also relates to a method of fishing wherein baited hooks on a fishing line are enclosed in an in water disintegrating packaging. The invention further relates to method of camouflaging fish bait, wherein a baited hook on a fishing hne is enclosed in an in water disintegrating packaging. Further, it is advantageous if the film dispenser and optionally other portions of the packager are shielded off from water, e.g. by a water tight or water shielding enclosure. Still further, the invention relates to an apparatus for camouflaging fish bait, comprising a packager that encloses baited hooks carried on fishing line portions in a water disintegratable packaging. Preferably, such a packager is a film wrapping machine that comprises a film dispenser for dispensing water disintegratable film. Further it is advantageous if at least the film dispenser and optionally other portions of the packager are shielded off from water, e.g. by a water tight or water shielding enclosure. Still further, the invention relates to the use of a water disintegratable polymer composition, in particular water disintegratable polymer film, for camouflaging baited fish hooks, and to a dark coloured water disintegratable PVA film. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the description and in the appended claims. The invention shall be elucidated using an example that is shown in a drawing. In the drawing: - fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a portion of a long line; - fig. 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of a close-up of a fishing line portion with a baited hook enclosed in a first embodiment of a water disintegratable packaging; and - fig. 3 is a partially cut away perspective view of a close-up of a fishing line portion with a baited hook enclosed in a second embodiment of a water disintegratable packaging. The drawings are schematical representations of preferred embodiments and are given by means of non-hmiting example only. Fig. 1 shows fishing tackle 1 with bait that is camouflaged to protect against being detected by unwanted species of catch. The fishing tackle is a long line, comprising a main line 2 that is provided with a plurahty of interspaced side lines. The side lines form line portions 3 that each carry a fishing hook 4 baited with a chunk of squid 5. The baited hook 4 is enclosed in an in water disintegrating package 6. The packaging structure is a wrapping of dark blue coloured PVA film 9 that disperses in seawater. The wrapping may also enclose fish meal 7. The fishing tackle 1 is shown sinking to the bottom of the sea in the direction of arrow 8, just after it has been set out from the vessel. At or near target depth, the film 9 will have disintegrated to such a degree, that the package 6 collapses and that the enclosed baited hook 4 and the fish meal 7 will become available for the target fish. Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the packaging structure 6A comprises a clam shell type box made of relatively rigid water disintegratable, biologically degradable material having a relatively long disintegration time, e.g. several days. The box is biased to open about a hinge at the bottom and is glued closed using a water disintegratable, biologically degradable material having a relatively short disintegration time, e.g. approximately 100 minutes. Upon disintegration of the glue, the claim shell box opens under its bias and falls off the line portion. It shall be clear that the package 6 should preferably not entrap large amounts of air, as the camouflaged baited hooks should sink. Optionally, the package could be weighted using ballast, e.g. sand, to provide the camouflaged baited hooks with a negative buoyancy. The water disintegratable substance may for instance be a water soluble substance, e.g. a substance based on a sugar, such as disaccharide (e.g. sucrose) or a monosaccharide (e.g. glucose) or any other sugar soluble in water. Preferably, the water disintegratable substance consists of water disintegratable polymers. The water disintegratable polymers usable in this invention include both synthetic and natural polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxides, ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymer, methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, polyacryhc acid and salts thereof, polymethacryhc acid and salts thereof, water disintegratable cellulose (e.g. methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose), water disintegratable polyamides or polyesters, copolymers or homopolymers of acryhc acids, water disintegratable starches and modified starches, natural gums such as alginates (e.g. sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate), pulluran, tragacanth, xanthan gum, chitosan, dextrins and proteins such as gelatins and caseins. Preferably, the water disintegratable substance comprises polyvinyl alcohol as a water disintegratable polymer. The baited hook becomes available for fish upon at least partial disintegration of the packaging. The time span required for the water disintegratable component to dissolve such that it makes baited hook available for fish is termed herein the "disintegration-time". The disintegration time may strongly depend on the adhesion between parts of the packaging that are connected via the water disintegratable component, or if the water disintegratable packaging is built up from water disintegratable material, may be dependent on the cohesion of the material itself. The cohesion of the material may be varied by employing different water disintegratable polymers or by using additives in the composition that improve cohesion. The disintegration time also depends on the thickness of the layer of water disintegratable material, a thicker layer having a longer disintegration time than a relative thinner layer. A suitable thickness ranges form several microns to several millimetres. Preferably a layer thickness is 0.1 to 2 millimetre. The disintegration time also depends on the water disintegratability of the water disintegrable material itself. A disintegration time may for instance be determined by enclosing a dyed object in an in water disintegratable package, and immersing the article in water until the dye is set free from the article, the period passed being the disintegration time for the package. In preferred embodiments, additives include pigment which make the package unattractive to birds. Bright green and blue colours are known to be unattractive to birds and are preferred, as well as dark colours. A highly preferred colour is black since this makes the package almost invisible in the water. Since the packages may have a tendency to stick together when a number of packages is stored in close proximity over a period of time, at least a portion of a surface of the package may include a dusting of powder. A suitable dusting powder is for instance talc. Other suitable materials include calcium stearate and zinc stearate. Alternatively, a suitable fine grade of starch may be used. Generally the powder will be inert, and ideally easily dispersible in water. The powder is generally apphed at a rate of from 0.5 to 10 mg/100 cm, preferably not more than 5 mg/100 cm, more preferably in the range 1.25 to 2.5 mg/100 cm. Optionally the packages may be frozen to prevent them from sticking together. However, it is preferred to package the baited hooks on board of a fishing vessel in a short interval between having been baited and setting out the line. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the application. Many variants are possible. Such variants shall be clear to the person skilled in the art and are to be considered to be within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Fishing tackle with bait camouflaged to protect against unwanted bycatch, comprising a fishing line portion carrying a baited fishing hook, the baited hook being enclosed in an in water disintegratable packaging structure.

2. Fishing tackle according to claim 1, wherein the packaging has a dark coloured outer appearance.

3. Fishing tackle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water disintegratable packaging comprises a water disintegratable polymer composition.

4. Fishing according to claim 3, wherein the water disintegratable polymer composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

5. Fishing tackle according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the packaging comprises water disintegratable film, preferably polyvinyl alcohol film.

6. Fishing tackle according to claim 5, wherein the film is dark coloured.

7. Fishing tackle according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the packaging comprises a wrapping.

8. Fishing tackle according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the packaging comprises a bag or sachet.

9. Fishing tackle according to any of claims 1-6-, wherein the packaging comprises a box or tube.

10. Fishing tackle according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the disintegration time of the packaging in water is several tens of minutes, preferably approximately 100 minutes.

11. Fishing tackle according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the packaging also encloses additives, preferably attractants, in particular fish meal or fish. oil.

12. Fishing tackle according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the camouflaged fishing bait is frozen.

13. Long line, comprising a main line provided with a plurality of interspaced side fines comprising hne portions according to any of claims 1-12.

14. Method of fishing, wherein one or more fishing lines according to any of claims 1-13 are set out in fishing water.

15. Method of camouflaging fish bait to protect against catch of unwanted species, wherein a baited hook on a fishing hne is enclosed in an in water disintegratable packaging.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the package corresponds to any of claims 2-12.

17. Apparatus for camouflaging fish bait, comprising a packager that encloses baited hooks carried on fishing hne portions in a water disintegratable packaging.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the packager comprises a wrapping machine and a film dispenser.

19. Use of a water disintegratable polymer composition, in particular a dark coloured water disintegratable film, for camouflaging baited fish hooks to protect against bycatch of unwanted species, in particular seabirds.

20. Dark coloured water disintegratable polyvinyl alcohol film.