Cannon-netting

Cannon-netting is a method of catching large numbers of animals, often birds, usually to band them, or otherwise tag them, as well as acquiring biometric data (measurements), in order to find out about their movements, migration routes, survival rates and metabolism. It is often used where large numbers of birds, especially waders, terns and gulls aggregate on beaches at high tide, or in places (which may be baited) where waterfowl or cockatoos feed. Cannon-netting may be used as a capture-for-culling method for perceived pest species such as cockatoos. Mammals such as deer and macropods may also be cannon-netted.

Methodology

Cannon-nets are nets pulled rapidly by explosively-driven projectiles to cover a pre-determined area of ground and presumptively capture any birds (or other target animals) present before they have time to escape. An alternative is the use of rocket nets, the only significant difference being the method by which the projected nets are pulled over the catching area. In the case of cannon-netting the projectiles that are attached to the net are fired simultaneously from smooth-bore cannons by electrically detonated cartridges. A full-sized cannon-net may utilise four or more cannons to pull the net over the target birds. Smaller nets with fewer cannons may also be used.

Catching waders

When cannon-netting is carried out for the purpose of catching large numbers of waders or shorebirds for banding and release, it requires an experienced team to coordinate and manage not only the catch itself, but also the subsequent care and processing of the birds to their eventual safe release. Catching is usually conducted on tidal beaches with nutritious tidewrack, or adjacent to coastal mudflats, though occasionally other locations, such as salt lakes or sewage treatment lagoons, are used.

External links

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