CASE STUDY

Bycatch reduction in Scottish Nephrops FIP

Collaborators:

M&S, Young’s Seafood, ASL, Virtuous

Duration:

April 2021- April 2022

Location

NE Scotland

Objective:

Assessing the effect of using artificial lights and an underwater camera to increase the selectivity of fishing gear and reduce bycatch.

GEAR TYPE:

Demersal Trawl Net

TARGET SPECIES:

Nephrops, Cod, Haddock, Whiting

BYCATCH SPECIES:

Juvenile fish

Technology used:

Project Summary:

Bycatch is one issue preventing the Nephrops fishery from gaining MSC certification. Therefore, fishing vessel Virtuous FR253 is undergoing a 12-month trial of Precision Fishing technology to reduce bycatch. Pisces is being deployed on the net to explore how different colours and positioning of LED light can manipulate fish behaviour. With SNT-Cam, the crew of Virtuous and our scientists can gather vital visual evidence of how fish interact with Pisces and behave in the net.

Project gallery

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77% reduction in undersized haddock using Pisces

We work with fishermen to ensure our devices are tailored to their needs