Clean Catch

Is sound the solution to reducing #dolphin #bycatch? Over 4,500 dolphins are caught in #fishing gear each year according to conservative scientific estimates, making this the biggest threat for dolphins globally. Researchers from the DolphinFree project in the Bay of Biscay have been exploring a new way to help address this: acoustic beacons for fishing nets. These devices, mimicking the #biosonar communication system used by dolphins, emit recorded signals of dolphins in danger. This ‘echo’ creates an acoustic image that is intended to warn dolphins in the area to stay away. Initial studies have shown that the technique is effective but large-scale trials are needed to confirm this and to ensure it will be commercially viable for fishermen to use. To find out more about this promising new approach, have a read of this article: https://loom.ly/uedtPQ8

#Skates and #rays provide important ecosystem services across the globe. However, they are also vulnerable to #overfishing and accidental #bycatch, with 36% of species now listed as ‘Threatened’. A new report, co-authored by researchers at Cefas, explores how practices for handling these species can be improved to give them the best possible chance of survival after accidental capture and release. The advice is as comprehensive as possible, delving into how different kinds of fishing gear affect a bycaught animal's chance of survival, and providing appropriate handling techniques and scenarios for those gears. To find out more about correct handling of these animals, have a read of the review: https://loom.ly/nxBVbic

Acoustic deterrents are being trialled or used in many #fisheries across the world to reduce #bycatch of #dolphins and #porpoises. Many marine animals struggle to detect fishing gear until they’re too close. However, they can identify sound waves in the water. This means that adding devices to fishing gear that emit sounds at specific frequencies can forewarn small #cetaceans to stay away from nets and vessels. A fishery in the South China Sea is one of the latest to work collaboratively with scientists to show that these devices can work. What’s more, the trial found that successfully deterring cetaceans can increase how much target fish are caught – which could help encourage uptake of this bycatch mitigation measure. Find the full study here: https://loom.ly/dHSF7LY

Fishtek Marine has just finished their latest trial with #fishermen of an innovative device designed to deter sharks and rays from fishing gear. 'SharkGuard' is a device that can be attached to longline hooks and, once in the water, sends out short-range electric pulses which deter #elasmobranchs without affecting target fish species. Trial results show that this device has huge potential to reduce the #bycatch of sharks and rays, without making the daily jobs of fishermen harder. Watch their great video about the trial and the technology ??

#WorldMarineMammalProtectionDay is a chance to reflect on the amazing diversity of marine mammals living in our waters, while also reminding us of our collective responsibility to reduce #bycatch of them. Species like the harbour #porpoise and common #dolphin are particularly vulnerable to accidental capture in nets and trawls, where they can quickly become entangled. Clean Catch is all about collaboration between the #fishing industry, scientists, policymakers, eNGOs and others to find effective ways to mitigate the bycatch of marine mammals and many other sensitive species. To find out more about our work on this, head over to https://loom.ly/CzI0XNY

Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) are evidence-based strategies designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of #fisheries in the #UK. These plans are developed from the best scientific evidence we have. However, across the UK’s diversity of fisheries and marine ecosystems, gaps exist in the data and knowledge we hold. For example, in some of the fisheries covered by the FMPs developed so far, we don’t yet have a clear picture of whether sensitive marine species are being affected by #bycatch. To help address this and other key gaps, Defra has commissioned several research and development projects. Find out more about these in Defra’s new blog post ?? https://loom.ly/BKPcXXM

Can more tailored management of longline #fisheries help reverse falls in #shark numbers? With these fisheries believed to be responsible for half of global shark #bycatch, better strategies are needed to enable them to become more #sustainable. A new study provides important nuance by revealing that, at least in the case of tuna fisheries in the Pacific, some vessels have far more shark bycatch than others. Targeting management measures at these vessels – while providing incentives for #fishers with lower bycatch to keep improving – could thus be a much more effective way of conserving sharks compared to treating all vessels the same. Read more about this innovative approach to bycatch prevention here: https://loom.ly/FaFZirg

"We dropped what we were doing, we left our fishing gear... it became apparent very quickly that it was just a simple cut that would free the whale. So we decided to just do that." Watch this incredible video of #Scottish #fishermen freeing a humpback #whale caught in creel ropes, featuring Alistair Bally Philp (of the Scottish Creel Fishermen's Federation). As Bally notes, the training that a number of fishermen in the area completed as part of their involvement in the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA) was vital to saving the whale (while keeping the fishermen safe). The SEA continues to work with creel fishermen in #Scotland to develop practical modifications to gear to prevent #marine megafauna like whales from becoming entangled in ropes. https://lnkd.in/eT5MkPTg

Fishermen are part of the solution for safeguarding flapper skate populations. 30 years ago, this species was critically endangered and considered lost from much of #UK waters. Now, in a remarkable turn of events, scientists and #fishermen have seen a rise in flapper skate numbers, thanks to management and conservation measures and changes made by the #fishing industry. However, like with many marine species, flapper skates are at risk of #bycatch. While fishermen are legally required to release the skates unharmed, this can be difficult in practice. With the return of flapper skates, there’s a need to learn more about their ecology and how to protect them from bycatch and other threats. Fishermen have a key role to play in this. That’s why researchers from Heriot-Watt University will be supporting work by NatureScot by surveying and speaking to #Scottish fishermen in the coming months. Head over to this article to find out more ?? https://loom.ly/nZiSguQ

Clean Catch's role in progress to reduce #bycatch of sensitive marine species in the #UK has been highlighted in the Government's newly published Marine Strategy Part Three: 2025 UK Programme of Measures. Our Bycatch Mitigation Hub in particular is noted as an important resource for bycatch mitigation information across a variety of species, including #seals, #cetaceans, #seabirds, #sharks, skates, and rays. Designed to be as easy and quick to explore as possible, the Bycatch Mitigation Hub: ?? Lets you search by gear type, mitigation type, and species group of interest. ?? Summarises the evidence for measures that have been trialled or implemented in fisheries from around the world. Find the Marine Strategy Part Three here ?? https://loom.ly/ATgnUpY And find the Bycatch Mitigation Hub here ?? https://loom.ly/qdUPGPs