It's no fun for anglers when fish snag bait off hooks.
For commercial fishermen, it represents lost revenue and potential bycatch. Off the shores of Hawaii, scientists and commercial fishermen teamed up to capture video as false killer whales snag bait off longline hooks.
The purpose of the using a GoPro camera was beyond simply capturing video. Scientists also deployed a vibration detector and sound-recording equipment.
As a result, scientists found that the false killer whales made certain clicks and whistles as they approached the hooks.
The data may help scientists figure out a way for commercial fishermen to be aware of whales in the fishing zone. In addition, it may lead to methods to keep the whales from getting near the hooks to snag bait.
Also, scientists may be able to help fishermen differentiate the tugs and jerks made by different species in order to reduce bycatch.
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