Scientists in Cornwall have launched a "floating scarecrow" called the Looming Eye Buoy (LEB) to protect seabirds from fishing nets. The buoy features rotating eyes that deter birds like guillemots and razorbills, reducing bycatch incidents by 59% during a two-year trial involving ten fishermen. Researchers also tested "scarybird" kites, which reduced bird entanglements by 71%. These methods aim to combat the issue of approximately 95,000 seabirds being caught and drowned in nets annually along European coasts.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-01,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Scientists from the University of Exeter have deployed a device called the Looming Eye Buoy (LEB) off the coast of Cornwall to deter seagulls and other seabirds from getting caught in fishing nets. The floating scarecrow, developed by Fishtek Marine, features rotating eyes that create an illusion of a looming presence, effectively reducing the risk of birds being accidentally ensnared. During a two-year trial involving 10 Cornish fishermen, the use of these devices resulted in a 59% reduction in seabird bycatch incidents such as guillemots and razorbills getting entangled. Each year, approximately 95,000 seabirds are incidentally caught and drown in nets around Europe's coastlines, highlighting the significant impact of this innovative solution on marine conservation efforts.
Written for “Seagull Deterrent Experiment” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
If you look out to sea and spot a giant set of eyes staring back at you, don't be alarmed.
asserted
you → look → you
Scientists have deployed a 'floating scarecrow' off the coast of Cornwall.
asserted
Scientists → deploy → Cornwall
The floating scarecrow, also known as the Looming Eye Buoy (LEB), is designed to save seabirds from getting caught in fishing nets.
asserted
scarecrow → float → nets
'The Looming Eye Buoy is essentially a rotating head with an eye, which gives the impression of an animated, or looming eye, which deters the birds from going near the fishing nets,' said Tom Hooper, senior fisheries scientist at Fishtek Marine.
asserted
Hooper → rotate → Marine
While this sounds rather comical, a study has revealed that the technique is actually very effective.
asserted
technique → sound → ?
Afer being deployed, the chances of guillemots and razorbills being caught in nets dropped by 59 per cent.
asserted
chances → deploy → cent
If you look out to sea and spot a giant set of eyes staring back at you, don't be alarmed.
asserted
you → look → you
Scientists have deployed a 'floating scarecrow' off the coast of Cornwall
asserted
Scientists → deploy → Cornwall
During a two–year trial, 10 Cornish fishermen had cameras fitted to their boats to monitor the effects of these methods on seabird bycatch levels
Each year, around 95,000 seabirds are incidentally caught and drown in nets around the coast of Europe.
asserted
seabirds → have → Europe
Known as 'bycatch', this is an issue that affects several species, including guillemots and razorbills.
asserted
that → know → guillemots
In their new study, researchers from the University of Exeter tested two methods to deter birds from these nets – LEBs, and 'scarybird' kites.
asserted
researchers → test → nets
As the name suggests, scarybird kites are kites shaped like predators.
uncertain
kites → suggest → predators
During a two–year trial, 10 Cornish fishermen had cameras fitted to their boats to monitor the effects of these methods on seabird bycatch levels.
And the results revealed that both of these methods were highly effective.
asserted
both → have → methods
The chances of birds being caught were reduced by 59 per cent using LEBs and by 71 per cent using kites.
asserted
birds → catch → kites
'This study provides some of the strongest evidence to date that simple, practical deterrents can substantially reduce seabird bycatch in gillnet fisheries,' said Tom Horton, lead author from the University of Exeter.
asserted
Horton → provide → Exeter
'By also identifying when and where bycatch risk is highest, we now have a clear opportunity to target mitigation measures where they can deliver the greatest conservation benefit for vulnerable seabird populations and encourage sustainable fishing practices.
asserted
they → identify → practices
Earlier this year, scientists from the University of Exeter suggested sticking eyes on takeaways to keep pesky birds at bay
Mr Hooper added: 'Any technology used at sea must be simple and robust, so working with fishermen means that we learned a great deal about how the devices were used and as a result we can refine and improve so that it fits their operational needs.'
uncertain
it → suggest → needs
This isn't the first time scientists have turned to googly eyes to deter seabirds.
asserted
scientists → turn → seabirds
Earlier this year, scientists from the University of Exeter suggested sticking eyes on takeaways to keep pesky birds at bay.
uncertain
scientists → suggest → bay
In their study, the team stuck googly eyes on takeaway food boxes to test whether it would affect their appeal to hungry gulls.
asserted
it → stick → gulls
Amazingly, they found that the gulls were put off by the eyes, and were slower to approach and less likely to peck at the boxes.
asserted
gulls → find → boxes
'Many animals – both wild and domesticated – are very aware of eyes, which can indicate the presence of a predator or be used to communicate intent,' explained lead author, Dr Laura Kelley, in an article for The Conversation.
asserted
author → indicate → Conversation
'Direct eye contact often conveys aggression, while looking away indicates a lack of threat.
asserted
looking → convey → threat
'Animals generally respond defensively when they see eyes staring at them.'
asserted
eyes → respond → them
The Aporia
