A buoy named Bobby, designed to deter seabirds from fishing nets off the coast of Korsør, Denmark, has been deemed ineffective after a study published on May 13 in Royal Society Open Science. Initially, Bobby appeared to reduce the number of seabirds around one fishing net, but after 23 days, the birds adapted and began to ignore the buoy. Researchers, including Gildas Glemarec from the Technical University of Denmark, noted that seabirds, such as greater cormorants and gulls, quickly recognized Bobby as a harmless object, despite its rotating googly eyes intended to mimic a predator's gaze. The study highlights the challenges of bird deterrence, as birds can become accustomed to stationary objects. Environmental biologist Sebastian Wszelaki emphasized the need for varied deterrent strategies, such as using alarm calls or robotic owls, to prevent birds from adapting. The findings serve to inform future research and save costs for fishermen, indicating that while Bobby may not deter seabirds, it could still bring a bit of holiday cheer to Glemarec's office as a quirky decoration.