Seagliders could endanger seabirds, scientists say
Scientists are concerned electric seagliders will put Aotearoa’s ‘‘spectacular seabirds’’ in harm’s way.
The gliders are an emerging type of ocean-based transport being touted as a zero-emissions way to slash the cost of flying. They are part ferry, part plane and part hydrofoil, and travel at high speed just off the surface of the water using a phenomenon known as the ‘‘ground effect’’.
However, Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust’s Chris Gaskin said the gliders would ‘‘undoubtedly pose a massive threat to our seabirds’’.
‘‘Flying birds will be unable to get out of the way of a craft travelling more than 200kph, while collisions with larger species, such as albatross, could impact the glider itself and its passengers.’’
Ordinary boats already affected the seabirds but a craft racing through at high speeds could do ‘‘a lot more damage’’, he said.
Ocean Flyer has ordered 25 electric seagliders for the New Zealand market.
They will be used to fly passengers between coastal cities and towns for a fraction of the price of traditional airlines.
It is estimated fares between Whangārei and Auckland could be $30, and between Christchurch and Wellington from $60.
Gaskin said seabirds were already facing a huge range of threats – from climate change to competition with fisheries for food. Electric gliders would add ‘‘yet another hazard’’ that put their future at risk.
The Hauraki Gulf is home to 27 different seabirds, including threatened species and birds found nowhere else in the world.
Ngāti Manuhiri acting director Nicola MacDonald said the high-speed crafts would impact taonga. ‘‘Our Atua Tawhirimatea and Tangaroa are the divine beings who look after the mauri of Taia.’’
Ocean Flyer co-founder and Air Napier investor Shah Aslam said United States company Regent, which is developing the seagliders, was doing a lot of work to ensure they avoided birds and sea life.
‘‘We have been approached by environmental groups and we have reached out to a couple of researchers. Ocean Flyer welcomes feedback from the scientists.’’ Seagliders could be fitted with horns or aircannons or equipped with stacks of flashing lights which were another way of communicating dangers to birds, he said.
‘‘It is going to take about another six to 12 months before we can say ‘this is what we are going to have to do to manage and mitigate these risks’. We also believe that getting to carbon neutrality by 2050 is essential to ensuring the survival of all wildlife, including seabirds, which is at the heart of our mission.’’