A primary objective of ECO-CATCH is to effectively reduce the bycatch of sensitive species and juvenile fish across the Baltic and North Sea, in a way that is practical and feasible for fishers. To achieve this, ECO-CATCH will develop and trial new and refined Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in collaboration with industry including fishers, net-makers, and fishers’ organisations. Targeting the efficiency of two existing BRDs in place in trawl fisheries in the region, ECO-CATCH will set out to improve BRD performance by at least 20%. Additionally, two new BRD systems tailored to set nets, and beam-, demersal-, and pelagic- trawls will be tested, aiming to reduce bycatch by more than 25%.
THUN, ILVO, DTU, IMR, EGERSUND
Using the latest technology and visual and acoustic observation methods, ECO-CATCH will gain species-specific behavioural insights into interactions with Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs), and seek to enhance their functionality by evaluating the current limitations to their performance. As part of this, ECO-CATCH will investigate how harbour porpoise respond to LED lights to help determine optimal positioning and spacing for effective bycatch reduction. Additionally, the effectiveness of escape panels and exclusion devices in trawls will be tested to help reduce bycatch of species such as juvenile fish, cod, elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays), and bluefin tuna.
ILVO, IMR, EGERSUND, THUN
ECO-CATCH’s Bycatch Reduction Devices will undergo vigorous laboratory testing in conjunction with industry feedback to ensure that they are effective, practical, and durable for a range of real-world fishing operations. Testing them under controlled conditions will help to minimise additional operational costs associated with the devices such as fuel consumption, impacts to the hydrodynamics of the gear, and impacts on the seabed.
DTU, IMR, THUN, ILVO
Following testing, prototype BRD designs will be refined and scaled up into production-ready devices that meet industry standards for consistency and replicability. The prototype BRDs will be prepared for full-scale tests at sea.
IMR, THUN, ILVO, DTU
ECO-CATCH will undertake pre-commercial trials on the BRD prototypes, to help validate how effective they are at reducing bycatch of sensitive species and juvenile fish, while maintaining target catch. The data derived from field and laboratory BRD trials will be collated with stakeholder feedback to assess performance, and used to support regulatory approval and broader adoption by the fishing industry.
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info@eco-catch.eu
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