Portfolio of gear modifications and technologies to reduce bycatch
Catch Select is the second key exploitable result of the MarineGuardian project, bringing together a portfolio of innovative gear modifications and technologies designed to improve selectivity and reduce bycatch across a range of fisheries and areas.
Across many fisheries, non-target species—including juvenile fish, marine mammals, sharks, and cetaceans—can be unintentionally caught or entangled due to limited gear selectivity or gear components that pose interaction risks. Reducing bycatch in these fisheries requires practical, fishery-specific solutions that can be integrated into existing operations and adopted by the fishing sector.
For more details on each solution, click on the associated picture.
New trawl designs to reduce bycatch of multiple species in multiple fisheries – MUN, CSIC, CCMAR, Hampiðjan
These modified trawl designs aim to reduce the bycatch of both juveniles, sensitive species and other non target species in multiple fisheries through escape panels and/or rotation of mesh.
Vertical buoy lines to minimise entanglement of marine mammals – Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
Modifications on vertical buoy lines will allow that if marine mammals get entangled in them, they will rupture more easily to allow them to be released.
Smartrawl – in-water sorting device to catch or release animals – Heriot-Watt University
This solution combines an under-water camera and sorting device where if unwanted catch is caught – detected by the camera, the sorting device releases them automatically.
Why this matters ?
Bycatch of non-target species and entanglement of marine mammals remain major challenges for sustainable fisheries, affecting marine biodiversity and fisheries efficiency. The Catch Select solutions address these challenges by improving gear selectivity and helping fisheries minimise unwanted catch while maintaining viable operations.
