New trawl designs to reduce bycatch of multiple species in multiple fisheries

New trawl designs and trawl modifications are being developed within the MarineGuardian project to reduce bycatch of juvenile fish, marine mammals, sharks and other sensitive species across a range of fisheries. In many trawl fisheries, bycatch involves multiple species that require different exclusion or release strategies, making single-device solutions insufficient.

Within the project, new trawl configurations are designed and tested to improve species and size selectivity, combining different bycatch reduction and exclusion devices adapted to the operational characteristics of each fishery.

We focus on the design, development and testing of innovative trawl solutions, combining flume tank experiments and at-sea trials. All solutions are developed in close collaboration with gear technologists, scientists and fishers to ensure they are effective, practical and compatible with commercial fishing operations.

Purpose and impact

By generating new data and evidence from flume tank testing and trials onboard research and commercial vessels, MarineGuardian aims to:

• reduce bycatch of juvenile fish and sensitive species
• improve gear selectivity and stock sustainability
• support fisheries with practical, fishery-specific solutions

Fisheries addressed

The MarineGuardian new trawl design portfolio covers multiple fisheries and bycatch challenges.

For more details on each solution, please click on the pictures below.