Trials under way to see if green LEDS deter little penguins

The Department of Conservation’s marine bycatch and threats team are trialling the effectiveness of green LEDs as visual deterrents for little penguins in Oamaru Harbour.

The team’s technical adviser Hendrik Schultz said green LEDs had shown to be effective visual deterrents in other seabird species overseas.

"Importantly, the Doc trials are trials without actual nets.

"We are just observing whether penguins are deterred by or attracted by the lights.

"If our trials show that green LEDs are effective visual deterrents, future trials could test whether green LEDs are effective in reducing the incidental capture of penguins in fishing nets." — Allied Media