Cape gannet (Photo © Lucy Kemp/Marine Photobank) Seabirds often flock around longline vessels, and can become snared and drown as they try to feed on baited hooks thrown into the ocean. "Streamer lines" have proven to be a cost-effective solution that has dramatically reduced seabird deaths in several longline fisheries. Brightly colored streamer lines made of polyester rope are positioned on each side of the longline. The colors and the flapping of the lines scare seabirds away from the baited hooks. From 1993 to 2001, roughly 16,000 seabirds died each year in Alaskan groundfish longline fisheries. In 2002, streamer lines became required gear; since then, the number of seabird deaths has decreased by approximately 70 percent.