MarineGuardian is running alongside other EU funded projects, that are tackling similar challenges from fisheries bycatch to improving fisheries sustainability and reaching the 30×30 goal of ocean protection.
Our two closest related projects, are Eco-Catch and Sea4Future, both funded under the same call as MarineGuardian and improving fisheries sustainability respectively in the Baltic and North Sea for Eco-catch and in the Mediterranean sea for Sea4Future. To learn more about them and the UN Ocean Decade action we form together, please visit: https://marineguardian.eu/gear-up-initiative/
Projects focusing on bycatch
Reduce project: Protecting Marine Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future
REDUCE is a Horizon Europe research project that aims to reduce the accidental capture (bycatch) of endangered marine species such as sea turtles, sharks, rays, seabirds, and marine mammals in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean. This is a four years project which started at the beginning of January 2024. It develops and tests innovative monitoring technologies, data-driven models, and practical mitigation measures to support more sustainable fisheries. The project is coordinated by Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
Learn more about REDUCE here: https://reducebycatch.eu/
Marine Beacon project: Monitoring and Elimination of Bycatch of Endangered & Conserved Species in the NE & High Seas Atlantic Region
Marine Beacon is a Horizon Europe research project that aims to reduce the bycatch of protected, endangered and threatened marine species by improving monitoring, developing innovative mitigation technologies, and supporting sustainable fisheries management.
This is a four years project which started at the beginning of January 2024. It works across seven Atlantic case study areas, collaborating with fisheries, policymakers and conservation stakeholders to co-develop practical bycatch reduction solutions. The project is coordinated by the Marine Institute (Ireland).
Learn more about Marine Beacon here: https://marinebeacon.eu/
CIBBRINA project: Coordinated Development and Implementation of Best Practice in Bycatch Reduction
CIBBRiNA (Coordinated Development and Implementation of Best Practice in Bycatch Reduction) is an EU LIFE Programme project that aims to reduce the bycatch of endangered, threatened and protected marine species in the North Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean through collaborative, practical solutions. This is a six years project that started in the autumn 2023 will end in summer 2029.
It brings together fishers, scientists, policymakers and NGOs from 13 European countries to develop and implement best practices for bycatch monitoring, mitigation and assessment. The project is coordinated by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.
Learn more about CIBBRiNA here: https://cibbrina.eu/
Life Prometheus project: PROMoting Elasmobranchs conservation THrough by-catch reduction, Ecotourism and alternative sUStainable fisheries
LIFE PROMETHEUS is an EU LIFE Programme project that aims to reduce the bycatch of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean sea while promoting sustainable fisheries, marine ecotourism, and alternative fisheries targeting invasive species. The five years project started in autumn 2024.
It tests innovative electromagnetic bycatch deterrents across 12 Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots, while supporting sustainable tourism and the management of invasive alien species to reduce pressure on endangered elasmobranchs. The project is coordinated by Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM, Italy).
Learn more about Life Prometheus here: https://www.life-prometheus.eu/
Project focusing on minimising climate impact on fisheries
MeCCAM:Measures for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in European Fisheries
MeCCAM is a Horizon Europe project that aims to help the European fisheries sector adapt to climate change while reducing its environmental impact through innovative, science-based and practical solutions. This is a four years project that started in May 2025. It develops and tests climate adaptation and mitigation measures across six European case study regions, working closely with fishers, industry, researchers and policymakers to co-create scalable solutions.The project is coordinated by Sjókovin – Blue Resource (Faroe Islands).
Learn more about MeCCAM here: https://meccam.eu/
Infinifish: Climate-friendly and resilient fisheries through innovation and co-learning
INFINIFISH is a Horizon Europe project that aims to help fisheries adapt to climate change while reducing their environmental footprint through innovative technologies, improved data collection, energy-efficient operations and better use of marine resources. This is a four years project that started in summer 2025.
It develops and tests solutions across the fisheries value chain, including lower-impact fishing gear, decision-support tools for more efficient operations, improved catch utilisation and technologies to monitor environmental and fishing impacts. The project is coordinated by SINTEF Ocean AS (Norway).
Learn more about Infinifish here: https://infinifish.eu/
