What is a pinger?
It is an acoustic deterrent device fitted onto a fishing net. It works by emitting a regular sonic noise which can be heard by cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises and whales) and scares them away from nets, preventing accidental entanglement.
Aims of the pinger trial project
The Trust wants to trial the use of pingers on fishing vessels. The project has two aims:
1. To test the practicalities of using pingers on smaller fishing vessels to establish their viability as a conservation tool.
2. To measure behavioural changes of different species due to the presence of pinger.
We aim to achieve these by using acoustic monitoring devices (T-PoDs) to record dolphin and porpoise activity near pingers. Attaching a T-PoD to every net with pingers on will allow us to record the clicks and whistles of the cetaceans' echolocation calls, enabling us to differentiate between species and measure any change in behaviour related to the presence of pingers.
Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee is fully supporting the Trust in this project and has already identified five fishermen who are willing to participate in the trial.
Simon Cadman, Cornwall Sea Fisheries Officer says, “The pinger trial aims to work directly with inshore fishermen to trial practical mitigation measures, an approach which in our experience is the most effective way to engage with the fishing industry. Pingers may offer us a solution to cetacean by catch, allowing fisheries to continue whilst conserving cetaceans at the same time”.
Funding for this project
This project has received funding support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the DEFRA Fisheries Challenge Fund and from Trust members, the public and local businesses who donated through our pinger appeal. The appeal for donations was a resounding success, exceeding the £15,000 target thanks to the generosity of donors. This reflected their interest and support for the project. All funding received has ensured the project will now go ahead.
The appeal for the pinger trial was supported by the following organisations:
- Frugi, a local children's organic clothing company. Frugi have supported the Trust through the 1% For The Planet scheme for the past three years and were proud to support the appeal for donations for this project.
- NABU, our wildlife friends in Germany.
