This solution is developed by:
Bycatch of sensitive species remains a significant challenge in demersal trawl fisheries targeting redfish. In these fisheries, several non-target species—such as Atlantic halibut and white hake—can be unintentionally captured, requiring different exclusion or avoidance strategies to reduce unwanted catch and associated impacts.
The MarineGuardian demersal trawl modifications for redfish fisheries aim to reduce the capture of sensitive species by adapting trawl design and integrating targeted bycatch reduction devices, while maintaining effective fishing operations and commercially viable redfish catches.
The challenge
Redfish trawl fisheries can interact with a range of sensitive species that are not effectively excluded by standard trawl configurations. Once captured, these species may suffer injury or mortality, contributing to conservation concerns and operational challenges for fishers.
Reducing bycatch in these fisheries requires innovative trawl modifications that can address multiple bycatch species simultaneously, while remaining practical and compatible with commercial trawling.
The solution
This MarineGuardian solution focuses on the development of a new trawl design that combines multiple exclusion devices, as different sensitive species require separate catch exclusion strategies.
The trawl will be developed, flume tank tested and validated at sea, combining a T90 codend with a rigid grid to improve selectivity. This approach allows sensitive species to exit the trawl after entering, while target redfish are retained at comparable catch rates.
Development and progress
The development of demersal trawl modifications for redfish fisheries follows a stepwise testing approach:
- November 2025: sea trial completed for the first trawl modification, providing initial performance data
- Design of a second trawl modification started in December 2025, building on results from the first trial
- 2026: planned flume tank testing of the second modification then planned at-sea trials of the second modification under commercial or research conditions
Expected impact
The demersal trawl modifications for redfish fisheries are expected to contribute to:
- Reducing the capture of sensitive species and juveniles in demersal trawl
- Reducing the impact of fisheries on marine biodiversity
- Accelerating the transition to more sustainable fishing practices
