Portfolio of technologies to reduce interactions between fishing gears and sensitive species
The Bycatch Shield is the first key exploitable result of the MarineGuardian project. It consists of a portfolio of innovative, complementary technologies designed to prevent and reduce unintended interactions between fishing gears and sensitive marine species, such as seabirds, cetaceans, and elasmobranchs.
Bycatch remains one of the major environmental challenges facing fisheries worldwide. The Bycatch Shield addresses this challenge by combining deterrent technologies and gear modifications, tailored to specific species, fishing methods, and operational contexts. Each solution within the portfolio is developed and tested by expert partners and targets a clearly identified bycatch risk.
For more details on each solution, click on the associated picture.
Water deterrent devices to repel seabirds – AZTI:
This solution aims to reduce seabird interactions with fishing gears by creating a visual and physical disturbance on the water surface, discouraging birds from approaching baited hooks or nets during fishing operations.
Acoustic deterrent devices – CSIC – CCMAR- MFRI
Acoustic deterrents use targeted sound signals to repel marine mammals before they come into contact with fishing gear. These devices are designed to minimise bycatch while ensuring limited disturbance to non-target species and surrounding ecosystems.
Magnetic deterrent beads to repel elasmobranchs – MFRI
This solution exploits the natural sensitivity of sharks and rays to magnetic fields. When integrated into fishing gears, the magnetic beads discourage elasmobranchs from approaching hooks or nets, reducing accidental capture without affecting target species.
PearlNet – a modified gillnet to increase visibility for echolocating cetaceans – MFRI
This solution improves gillnet detectability by echolocating cetaceans, helping them perceive and avoid the gear before entanglement occurs. This approach enhances gear selectivity while maintaining fishing efficiency.
Why this matters ?
Together, the Bycatch Shield technologies demonstrate how science-based innovation co-designed with fisheries can deliver practical, scalable solutions to prevent bycatch. By offering a modular portfolio rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, MarineGuardian ensures that fisheries can adopt the most appropriate tools for their specific conditions.
