| B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ||
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1 | This list has been compiled by Defra as it develops an England work plan to progress implementation of the UK Government's Bycatch Mitigation Initiative. For more information about this list, or to send us details of any initatives that should be added, please contact us via secretariat@cleancatchuk.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Project title | Year of work | Type of project | Contact | Does this project deliver statutory work? | What government policy/objectives does this work contribute towards? | Funded by | Delivered by | Region | Taxa | Species (if specific) | Gear type | Sampling months | Brief description/objectives of project | Project output | Stage of work | Estimated completion date | Links to information | ||||||||
3 | Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) | Operating in its current form since 2005 | Government funded | Al Kingston ark10@st-andrews.ac.uk | yes | BMI objective 1 | Defra and Marine Scotland | Led by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at St Andrews University. Also delivered by Cefas, the centre for ecology and hydrology, the NFFO, Marine Scotland and the Scottish Fishermens Federation. | UK wide | All | Marine mammals for bycatch estimate, however record observed bycatch events of all sensitive marine species | Static nets, Pelagic trawlers, Long lines, Ring nets | All year | Uses onboard observers to estimate bycatch rates and high risk gear types. The project combines on- board fishery observations with records of fishing fleet effort to estimate total annual bycatch of marine mammals and other protected species. The calculation of bycatch rates uses a multi-annual approach, whereby sampling efforts over mutliple years are combined to calculate underlying rates. The aim of the project is to collect data and to meet legislative monitoring obligations (EU Habitats Directive, EU reg 812/2004 (now repealed), Technical Conservation Measures Reg (2019/1241). Also meets UK reporting requirements under ASCOBANS, OSPAR and ICRW | Data | Ongoing | N/A | ME6004 Science Search (defra.gov.uk) https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=21227 | ||||||||
4 | Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) | Operating in its current form since 2005 | Government funded | Al Kingston ark10@st-andrews.ac.uk | Yes | BMI objective 1 | Defra and Marine Scotland | Led by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at St Andrews University. Also delivered by Cefas, the centre for ecology and hydrology, the NFFO, Marine Scotland and the Scottish Fishermens Federation. | UK wide | All | Marine mammals for bycatch estimate, however record observed bycatch events of all sensitive marine species | Static nets, Pelagic trawlers, Long lines, Ring nets | All year | This is a 3 year contract let in 2022, as well as the continuation of providing bycatch estimate where required as specifiied above), this contract is piloting ways to expand and diversify monitoring techniques with the aim of providing better bycatch estimates. The project is looking at how to expand the programme’s monitoring capabilities and bring together data from a wide range of sources, including monitoring through the Clean Catch UK project, the existing Fisheries Observer Programme, self-reporting by fishers and any Remote Electronic Monitoring trials, to provide us with better bycatch estimates. | Data | Ongoing | N/A | Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) - ME6063 (defra.gov.uk) | ||||||||
5 | Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme (CSIP) | since 1990 | Government funded | Rob Deaville <Rob.Deaville@ioz.ac.uk> | Yes | BMI objective 1 | Defra | ZSL | England and Wales | Seals, Cetaceans, Elasmobranch, Turtles | Cetaceans, seals and occasional elasmobranchs (basking sharks) | All | All year | Collects data on stranded marine mammals, and the occasional turtles and elasmobranchs to determine likely cause of death (which includes bycatch) through necrospsis. | Data | Ongoing | N/A | Science Search (defra.gov.uk) https://randd.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectID=20101 https://randd.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=17835 | ||||||||
6 | Clean Catch UK Bycatch of Protected, Endangered and Threatened (PET) marine wildlife in the commercial fisheries, operating from the South-west of the UK | 2020 -2023 2021 | Government funded | Joanna Murray: joanna.murray@cefas.gov.uk Chantal Lyons (MWC) | Yes | BMI objective 3, BMI objective 1 | Defra | Cefas, | South coast of Cornwall | All, Cetaceans, Seals, Seabirds, Elasmobranch | Current focus is Common dolphin / harbour porpoise wrt to bycatch reduction trial. Trialing new monitoring tech all. White skate | Ring nets, Static nets | All year | Clean Catch UK, is a co-ordinated stakeholder-led research programme dedicated to better monitoring, reducing, and, where possible, eliminating bycatch of sensitive species. Clean Catch UK is currently developing and trialling a range of monitoring and mitigation measures in different fisheries along Cornwall’s south coast (a known “hotspot” or high-risk area for bycatch).Achievements include the development and roll-out of a bycatch self-reporting mobile application validated by observers and electronic monitoring, trials of technologies including acoustic deterrent devices and passive acoustic reflectors, and the development of an online Bycatch Mitigation Hub with information on different techniques or devices that aim to reduce interactions between fishing gear and sensitive marine species. | tool and recommendation, Data | Ongoing , Completed | https://randd.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=20460 https://www.cleancatchuk.com/ | |||||||||
7 | Clean Catch | 2024-2026 | Government | Joanna Murray: joanna.murray@cefas.gov.uk Chantal Lyons (MWC) | Yes | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 2, BMI objective 3 | Defra | Consortium led by arribada initiative and Cefas, MMO consulting Ltd, ZSL/IoZ MWC | TBC | Cetaceans, Seals, Seabirds, Elasmobranch | The expansion of Clean Catch aims to develop and build upon the existing Clean Catch UK programme to improve our understanding of sensitive species bycatch and facilitate the introduction of practical, evidence driven and effective bycatch mitigation. An ambition of programme would find one, multiple or a combination of solutions that will be effective at reducing bycatch for multiple species, whilst being practical for the fishing industry to adopt. The programme continues the collaborative approach of the existing Clean Catch programme, working closely with a wide range of stakeholders to develop solutions. This programmes aims to supporting the implementation of the BMI and is considering expanding the geographical and species scope from the existing Clean Catch programme (e.g., into other parts of England beyond the Southwest and to other priority species such as seabirds). This could include starting new bycatch reduction trials in different areas and/or focussed on different species and/or taking a multi-species approach. | Tool, Recommendation, Data | Ongoing | 2025 | ||||||||||||
8 | Spurdog bycatch Avoidance Programme | 2015- 2022 | Government funded | Jo Murray joanna.murray@cefas.gov.uk | No, Yes | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 3, BMI objective 4 | Defra | Cefas | South West England and Celtic Sea | Elasmobranch | Spurdog | Static nets | Until 2010, commercial landings of spurdog provided fisheries scientists with information on when, where, and how much spurdog was caught, by weight, sex and age (derived from length) - data which was used to inform stock assessments. The introduction of zero Total Allowable Catch for spurdog in 2010 meant that this avenue for routinely collecting fishery-dependent data (data collected directly from the fishery) was no longer available. Working directly with fishermen, the Spurdog Bycatch Management Programme (under CCUK) overcame this issue. Utilising their vessels, fishing gear, and knowledge, scientifically-robust data on spurdog bycatch was collected through the programme, improving our understanding of the species and informing management decisions | Data, Tool | Completed | N/A | https://www.cleancatchuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/15377_ME6023_CCUK_Spurdog_Three_Year_Review.pdf https://randd.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectID=19658&FromSearch=Y&Publisher=1&SearchText=spurdog&SortString=ProjectCode&SortOrder=Asc&Paging=10#Description https://randd.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectID=18966&FromSearch=Y&Publisher=1&SearchText=spurdog&SortString=ProjectCode&SortOrder=Asc&Paging=10#Description | |||||||||
9 | Spurdog bycatch East Anglia | 2018-2020 | Government funded | Jo Murray joanna.murray@cefas.gov.uk | No, Yes | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 4 | Defra | Cefas | East Anglia | Elasmobranch | Spurdog | Long lines | The aim of the study was to assess whether the Spurdog Bycatch Management Programme which ran in the Celtic Sea could be adapted and extended to the East Anglian inshore demersal longline fishery in the southern North Sea, as an alternative to a ‘Prohibited Species' listing. | Data, Tool, Recommendation | Completed | N/A | 15377_ME6023_CCUK_Spurdog_Three_Year_Review.pdf (cleancatchuk.com) | |||||||||
10 | Regional Bycatch Risk Prioritisation Frameworks | 2024 -2026 | Government funded | Emma Kelman (Defra) - Jo Murray joanna.murray@cefas.gov.uk Nikki Taylor (CEFAS/JNCC) | No, Yes | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 2 | Defra | Cefas/JNCC | England | All | All | To deliver a more coordinated approach to monitoring and minimising bycatch of sensitive marine species. These frameworks are intended to help prioritise where efforts in bycatch reduction need to take place. To provide quantitative and spatial information on bycatch risk per region. A review of mitigation technology, assess its effectiveness and produce a matrix to identify any bycatch reduction technologies that could be effective for multiple species. | Data | Ongoing. Expected to take 2-3 years to deliver. Multiple work packages with first one beginning in July 2024. | ||||||||||||
11 | A constellation of technology, coupled with machine learning, to provide a comprehensive 360 view of cetacean bycatch - Insight 360 | 2021-2024 | Government funded | No, Yes | BMI objective 3 | Defra | Cefas, with consortium member MWC,ZSL, Cornish Sardine Management Association, Bristol University | South coast of Cornwall | Cetaceans | Static nets, Ring nets | All year | Co-develop with fishers a cost-effective remote electronic monitoring system designed specifically to monitor sensitive marine species bycatch. This system uses innovative technology to create ‘short clips’ of potential bycatch events so that the analyses of video and fishing activity data can focus on these moments, saving considerable time compared with reviewing all fishing activity. This cost- and time-effectiveness makes the application promising for broadscale monitoring programmes. | tool and recommendation | Ongoing | This phase of development Septemebr 2024 | https://insight360monitoring.org/ | ||||||||||
12 | Cefas Fisheries Observer Programme | since 2002 | Government funded | No, Yes | BMI objective 1 | Cefas GiA | Cefas | England and Wales | All | Static nets, Pelagic trawlers, Long lines, Ring nets | Primary aim is to collect catch rates and biological data for all commercial fish species but biological data on all incidental bycatch is also collected. | Ongoing | N/A | |||||||||||||
13 | Research and Development to support a Seabird bycatch Plan of Action. Preliminary assessment of seabird population response to potential bycatch mitigation in the UK-registered fishing fleet (Miles et al. (2020) (ME6024) | 2020- 2023 | Government funded | Emma Kelman (Defra) | yes | BMI objective 1 BMI objective 2 | DEFRA | St Andrews University JNCC | UK excl.Northern Ireland: North and West Scotland, Northeast England, Southeast Ireland, South coast of England, Shetland, Western Channel) and Worldwide | Seabird | Fulmars, Guillemots, Cormorants, Razorbills, Guillemots | All | All year | Defra commissioned the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) to develop an evidence base for seabird bycatch, which has so far resulted in the following publications: 1) This research provided preliminary estimate of bycatch mortality using the data collected from the Bycatch Monitoring Programme. (ID 55) 2)These estimates show the scale of annual UK seabird bycatch, and which species, fishing gear and what effect it is having on their population. (56) 3)There is also a review of methods for seabird bycatch mitigation that have or might be applied to UK fisheries; (42) 4) A workshop report which details the facilitated discussion where attendees expressed ideas, issues and opportunities regarding bycatch monitoring and mitigation in UK fisheries. The views of the attendees synthesised in this report will be considered in the development of the implementation plan for seabirds. 5) A report on bycatch “hotspots” and possible reasons for these elevated bycatch rates. (12) 6) And a report which identified improvement to seabird bycatch monitoring (gap analysis) (13) 7) Bycatch “toolkits” are also in preparation, which will be practical guides for the fishing industry and regulators to further understand and reduce seabird bycatch in UK fisheries. This report aimed to provide a synthesis of current best-practice advice on seabird bycatch mitigation from fisheries throughout the world, but with the greatest applicability to UK fisheries where seabird bycatch is thought to occur. Preliminary bycatch estimates were developed from the UK BMP. Recommendations from this report should be viewed in light of conclusions from the bycatch hotspots report. In the offshore demersal longline fleet, potential focal areas to target monitoring and mitigation trials are the north-west of Scotland and off the Shetland Islands, due to estimated bycatch levels of fulmar. For the < 10 m static net fleet, the southern coast of Devon and Cornwall and the north-east coast of England are likely priorities for trials from the perspective of bycatch incidences. Project recommends that research trials be conducted into the efficacy of line-weighting and bird-scaring lines for the UK offshore demersal long-line fleet set-up, as well as the effectiveness of night-setting (noting in particular that this might not be appropriate for fulmar) and offal management in reducing bycatch levels. Mitigation measures for static net fleets are in a much earlier stage of development worldwide, and there are no ‘off the shelf’ methods that can be recommended for widespread roll-out in UK fleets. Therefore, targeted experimental trials are needed for some of the more promising mitigation measures that have been trialled elsewhere. | Publication | Ongoing | N/A | Bycatch hotspots analysis report Bycatch gap analysis Seabird Bycatch Mitigation: Evidence Base for possible UK application and further research Preliminary seabird bycatch estimates in UK fisheries (Northridge et al. 2020) (ME6024) https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=20461 Seabird bycatch migtation: evidence base for possible UK application and research (JNCC Report No. 717) https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=20461 https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=20461 | ||||||||
14 | Cetacean Bycatch Mitigation decision trees | Government funded | Rob Whitley Robert.Whiteley@naturalengland.org.uk | No | BMI objective 1 | Defra | Natural England | England | All | All | All year | The mitigation decision trees have been developed by NE to help identify if a given fishery has bycatch and to provide guidance on how to address a known bycatch problem. The aim of these Decision Trees is to: 1) provide those with knowledge of, and involvement in, a fishery at a management level, with sufficient information and practical guidance about identifying and addressing cetacean bycatch to enable them to recognise when actions need to be taken to minimise the risks and demonstrate what those effective actions might be. 2) assist in tackling cetacean bycatch at smaller scales, for example through inclusion in Fisheries Research and Management Plans by individual IFCA/RIFGs and local actions such as codes of conduct and byelaws. | ||||||||||||||
15 | Above Water Deterrents (AWDs):mitigating seabird bycatch in set net fisheries | 2023-2025 | Industry led | Fishtek Marine | No | BMI objective 3 | DEFRA FISP | Fishtek Marine, Cornish set netters (inshore), RSPB, University of Exeter, Cornwall IFCA, SeaScope Fisheries research Ltd | South West-Cornwall | Seabirds | Great northern divers, black throated divers, slavonian grebe | Static nets | To understand UK seabird bycatch and seasonal trends. To evaulate the potential of novel technologies at reducing the impact on fishing. Specifically the project assesses the effectiveness of AWDs such as eye buoys and predator-shaped kites in deterring seabirds from diving in close proximity of nets and subsequently getting tangled. Pilot studies in the baltic sea showed a 45-53% reduction of seabirds near AWDs but these were not conducted in an operational fishery. There is a need to understand if this translates to reduced bycatch in an operational fishery. All vessels in this trial will be equipped with REM and the footage will be analysed to (1) increase our understanding on UK seabird bycatch and seasonal trends, and (2) evaluate the potential of novel technologies at reducing the impact on fishing. | Publication | Ongoing | 2025 | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisp-projects/fisp-projects-contracts-awarded-in-round-4-of-the-scheme | |||||||||
16 | Bycatch of non-target species in Welsh static net fisheries | Industry led | No | BMI objective 1 | FISP | Bangor university, Natural resources Wales, Welsh fishermens association | Welsh coast | All | Static nets | To better understand bycatch rates in Welsh net fisheries at a higher resolution and to inform appropriate management measures in future fisheries management plans. This project will characterise the Welsh static net fishery by mapping the spatial and temporal distribution of the fishery, modelling its interaction with different non-target species to develop species risk maps, quantify bycatch rates through focused observer work, and characterise the nature of bycatch in net fisheries more broadly. The project will directly contribute to management of the Welsh static net fishery and will be applicable to other UK net fisheries. The benefits will be increased industry confidence in management and improved sustainability of net fisheries. | Ongoing | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisp-projects/fisp-projects-contracts-awarded-in-round-4-of-the-scheme | ||||||||||||||
17 | CIBBRiNA | 2023-2029 | Government funded | Allen Kingston, ark10@st-andrews.ac.uk Chantal Lyons (Mindfully Wired Communications) Peter Evans: peter.evans@seawatchfoundation.org.uk | Yes | BMI objective 5 BMI objective 3 | EU Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) | The CIBBRiNA project has 36 partners and the UK trials are delivered by: St Andrews University Scottish Pelagic Fishermens Association. Sea Watch Foundation | All UK waters ASCOBANS region, Baltic & Med (ACCOBAMS) and NE Atlantic regions | All | All | All | All year | The LIFE CIBBRiNA project aims to address the issue of bycatch by setting up a European flagship initiative in which fishers, scientists, fisheries and environment ministries and NGOs from 13 European countries will work jointly to minimize incidental bycatch in fisheries which have a high risk of bycatch of priority marine mammals, birds, turtles, sharks and rays and to work towards transparent and environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean regions. The main objective is to minimise and, where possible, eliminate bycatch mortality of priority endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species. This will be achieved through cross-border and cross-sectoral cooperation, involving industry, scientists, authorities, and other relevant stakeholders, to establish regionally coordinated mitigation, monitoring and assessment programmes. The project has a work package of 10 areas to implement, these range from fisheries communication to social-economic studies and data collection. One package in particular has 8 case studies within it- 2 of which are to be conducted in the UK by the University of St Andrews considering UK Gillnets and floated demersal longlines in the NE Atlantic. | Publication | Ongoing | 2029 | https://www.nsrac.org/projects/life-eu-bycatch-project-cibbrina/ https://www.ascobans.org/sites/default/files/document/ascobans_ac26_pres6.1c_cibbrina-bycatch-project_svoboda.pdf LIFE 3.0 - LIFE22-NAT-NL-LIFE-CIBBRiNA/101114301 (europa.eu) https://www.nsrac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/230907-CIBBRiNA-Kick-Off-Event-Report-Final-1.pdf | ||||||||
18 | EVID Fish biodiversity state and pressure indicators FY2021:22 RD174 / C8421 | Government funded | BMI objective 1 | Defra | Cefas | Northeast Atlantic shelf seas | Elasmobranch | Common skate complex, undulate ray, tope, spurdog, starry ray, common ling and spotted ray | Bottom towed trawlers, Midwater trawlers, Static nets, Pots, Dredges, Hooks and lines | All year | Developing bycatch risk maps using international and national fishing effort data with species distribution models and national Observer Programme catch data for sensitive fish species. | Ongoing | Fish biodiversity: state and pressure indicators - ME6016 (defra.gov.uk) | |||||||||||||
19 | SEAwise Home - SEAwise (seawiseproject.org) | Regulatory requirements | BMI objective 5 | EU H2020 | Europe | Cetaceans, Elasmobranch, Seals, Seabirds | Multiple? | All year | SEAwise is an international project paving the way for the implementation of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) in Europe. One of the work plans is to evaluate the effects of fishing on bycatch of PETs by producing a spatial productivity and susceptibility (PSA) bycatch risk assessment. | Ongoing | SEAwise Home - SEAwise (seawiseproject.org) | |||||||||||||||
20 | Pyramids of Life | Government funded | BMI objective 1 | NERC SMMR | Celtic Sea and western Channel | Elasmobranch | Midwater trawlers, bottom towed trawlers, Static nets | All year | Focusing on South West mixed fisheries, pelagic stocks and associated fishing and consumer behaviour. Assess the interdependencies between ecosystem, pressure and social pyramids (I.e. distribution of biomass across food webs, distribution of pressure on food webs, consumer preferences).One of the work plans is to identify key drivers and spatial patterns of high bycatch occurence. | Ongoing | ||||||||||||||||
21 | REDUCE (Reducing bycatch of threatened megafauna in the East Central Atlantic) | 2024-2027 | Government funded | Jacob Gonzalez-Solis from Barcelona University. jgsolis@ub.edu | BMI objective 5 | EU Horizon | EU | East Central Atlantic | Cetaceans, Seabirds, Elasmobranch, Turtles | Trawlers, Long lines, Purse seine | All year | Made up of 13 partners of which the UK is one. Project aims to promote more sustainable fisheries management and reduce bycatch. The REDUCE project will focus specifically on developing and testing new technologies and management strategies for better assessing, monitoring and reducing the bycatch of birds, turtles, cetaceans, sharks and rays in the European long-distance fishing fleet of trawlers, purse-seiners and longliners, operating in Atlantic Ocean waters from the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula to Macaronesia (archipelagos of Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cabo Verde) and the Gulf of Guinea. | Data | Ongoing | https://www.cmscoms.com/?p=37498 | |||||||||||
22 | DP433: WP3 co-occurrence and niche overlap of commercial and sensitive fish species to inform bycatch risk | Government funded | BMI objective 1 | Cefas, Seedcorn | Northeast Atlantic shelf seas | Elasmobranch | Midwater trawlers | All year | Identify non-random patterns of species co-occurrence and quantify environmental niche overlap between elasmobranch species significantly co-occurring with commercial species to understand to what extent environmental predictors explain positive co-occurrence patterns. A spatial assessment of core areas was undertaken to identify key regions of high population abundance of the 11 elasmobranchs. Results highlight the main target species in commercial fisheries that pose the greatest bycatch risk to the 11 elasmobranchs due to significant niche conservatism between species. | Ongoing | ||||||||||||||||
23 | MarineBeacon | Government funded | BMI objective 5 | EU Horizon | Europe | All | All year | To address the impact of bycatch on the decline of marine biodiversity by producing the knowledge and tools to effectively reduce the bycatch and subsequent mortality of PETS within European waters and beyond. | Ongoing | |||||||||||||||||
24 | ICCAT SC-ECO evidence – revising ICCAT CMMs 07/07 and 11/09 | Government funded | James Bell james.bell@cefas.gov.uk | BMI objective 5 | Defra | Cefas | Southern Atlantic (south of 20s) | Seabirds | Wandering Albatross, Tristan Albatross, Atl. Yellow-nosed Albatross, and white-chinned petrels | Long lines | All year | Evidence to contribute to 2024 review of ICCAT conservation measures through Sub-committee on Ecosystems and Bycatch. | Data | Ongoing | SCECO_REP_ENG.pdf (iccat.int) https://www.iccat.int/Documents/BienRep/REP_EN_22-23_II-1.pdf | |||||||||||
25 | Whale and Dolphin Conservation Case study | NGO led | No | BMI objective 3 | South East England | Cetaceans | Static nets | Alternate gears study. | Ongoing | |||||||||||||||||
26 | Untangling Humpback Whale, Minke Whale, and basking shark Entanglement in Cornish Pot fisheries. | Academic | Victoria Hobson: v.hobson@exeter.ac.uk | No | BMI objective 2 | MSc studentship | University of Exeter, Cornwall IFCA | South West England | Cetaceans, Elasmobranch | Humpback Whale, Minke Whale and Basking shark | Pots | Reviewed data from 2016 to 2021 | Mapped out potting activity in Cornwall along with sightings of minkes, humpbacks, and basking sharks, to create risk hotspots to help inform management. | Ongoing | ||||||||||||
27 | Shark and ray entanglement work | 2019 | University of Exeter and Shark Trust? (Bycatch Management Information System) | Elasmobranch | 0 | Ongoing | https://www.bmis-bycatch.org/references/qvz6b62v | |||||||||||||||||||
28 | Special Committee on Seals (SCOS) annual reports | Yes | BMI objective 1 | UK | Seals | All | Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 and the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has a duty to provide scientific advice to government on matters related to the management of UK seal populations. NERC appointed the SCOS to formulate this advice. SCOS uses data from the VBMP to reports on seal bycatch. | Special Committee on Seals – SCOS | SMRU (st-andrews.ac.uk) | ||||||||||||||||||
29 | Efficacy of non-lethal deterrent- ongoing trial of the TAST. | February and March 2022 | Government | Emma Kelman; evidence@marinemanagement.org.uk | Yes | BMI objective 1 | Defra | Apmer | South west-St Ives | Seals | Hooks and lines | This study investigated the effectiveness of the Genuswave TAST device as a nonlethal deterrent for reducing seal interactions with an inshore mackerel line fishery in St Ives Bay, Cornwall. The device was deployed on six fishing vessels during February and March 2022 with data on fish landings and seal presence recorded by fishers and observers. The study found that the use of TAST reduced the likelihood of sighting a seal and significantly increased the distance of seals from fishing vessels. This result aligns with previous studies which have shown that the TAST device can reduce seal depredation and reduce seal detections in wild sea fisheries. | Publication, Tool | Completed | N/A | https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=20762 | ||||||||||
30 | Project UK-ETP | Elasmobranch | 0 | Fishery Improvement Projects | Ongoing | https://www.projectukfisheries.co.uk/about | ||||||||||||||||||||
31 | LED light trials to deter elasmobranch | Academic | BMI objective 3 | Newcastle University | North East (North shields) | Elasmobranch | Midwater trawlers | Ongoing | ||||||||||||||||||
32 | Magnets to deter blue sharks | 2018 | Academic | BMI objective 3 | Newcastle University | Elasmobranch | Hooks and lines | To see if magnets deter sharks on blue shark toursit vessels. Paired trials on modified baited lines without hooks. | Ongoing | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165783618301966#fig0005 | ||||||||||||||||
33 | St Andrews/SMRU mitigation to hake longline fishery | 2023 | Industry led | Al Kingston ark10@st-andrews.ac.uk | BMI objective 3 | St Andrews University | Scotland | Seabirds | Long lines | Ad hoc trials of mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch in offshore demeral longline fleet off the NW Scotland and off Shetland. | Ongoing | Improving understanding of seabird bycatch in Scottish longline fisheries and exploring potential solutions - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) | ||||||||||||||
34 | Cleasby et al (2022) gill net bycatch risk assessment | 2022 | BMI objective 1 | 0 | https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356133331_Assessing_bycatch_risk_from_gillnet_fisheries_for_three_species_of_diving_seabird_in_the_UK | |||||||||||||||||||||
35 | Angel shark (Squatina squatina) conservation threat as high from gear types and fishing methods of trawling (benthic, mid-water), netting (gill, fixed, drift), and hook & line fishing | 2021 | Government funded | Yes | BMI objective 1 | Elasmobranch | Angel Shark | 0 | Clean Catch UK - ME6023 (defra.gov.uk). 15406_ME6023_CCUK_2021_-_BYCATCH_OF_PROTECTED_ENDANGERED_AND_THREATENED_PET_MARINE_WILDLIFE (1).PDF | |||||||||||||||||
36 | BATmap (By-catch Avoidance Tool) | Industry led | No | BMI objective 4 | FISP | SFO, University of Aberdeen and Fisheries Innovation and Sustainability | Scotland (west coast) | 0 | Fisheries bycatch reduction tool/app, co-designed by Scottish skippers to assist them in avoiding high catches of unwanted “choke” species. Vessels fishing on the west coast of Scotland are piloting BATmap to report hauls of these unwanted species in ‘real-time’. | Tool | https://info.batmap.co.uk/ | |||||||||||||||
37 | Bycatch reduction in Scottish Nephrops FIP | April 2021-April 2022 | No | BMI objective 3 | M&S, Young’s Seafood, ASL, Virtuous | NE Scotland | bottom towed trawlers | Assessing the effect of using artificial lights and an underwater camera to increase the selectivity of fishing gear and reduce bycatch. 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. | Completed | N/A | https://sntech.co.uk/case-studies/bycatch-reduction-in-scottish-nephrops-fip/#:~:text=Bycatch%20is%20one%20issue%20preventing,Fishing%20technology%20to%20reduce%20bycatch. | |||||||||||||||
38 | WGBYC Bycatch Risk | 2023 | No | BMI objective 1 | ICES | NE-Atlantic ICES Ecoregions | Cetaceans | All | Develop methodologies for evaluating bycatch risk for data deficient species. The group proposed to create a framework that will require a structured collaboration with appropriate subject matter experts. The framework aims to provide a qualitative objective assessment for species of conservation concern when there is very limited or no bycatch data available. | Publication | Completed | N/A | Working Group on Bycatch of Protected Species (WGBYC) (figshare.com) | |||||||||||||
39 | Preliminary assessment of seabird population response to potential bycatch mitigation in the UK-registered fishing fleet (Miles et al. (2020) (ME6024) | 2020 | Government funded | Emma Kelman (Defra) | Yes | BMI objective 1 | Defra | St Andrews University | UK | Seabirds | All | All year | Estimating population responses to changes in bycatch mitigation throughout UK fishing fleets. | Publication | Completed | N/A | https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=20461 | |||||||||
40 | Seal Research Trust | Since 2000 | NGO | No | BMI objective 1 | Charity | SRT | SW England | Seals | Seals | All | All year | Collecting data on live entangled seals quantifying sightings and Photo identifying the number of unique seals impacted since 2011 (their welfare, injury progression and death). SRT ran a 4 year project on ghost gear including entanglement of seabirds, crustaceans, molluscs, pink sea fans (2014 to 2018) | Data | Ongoing | N/A | https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14teSrf6fedAb9EWzY9vqLmsV9CXgsnbI?usp=drive_link | |||||||||
41 | SUMARiS | 2014 | Industry, Government | BMI objective 1 BMI objective 5 | Interreg 2 Seas programme 2014-2020 co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund | FROM Nord, Rederscentrale, Kent and Essex IFCA, Ifremer, ILVO, VisNed, Cefas, Aquimer, Nausicaa | Eastern Channel and North Sea | Elasmobranch | Skates and Rays | All | The SUMARiS project aims at a common and European management of rays and skates, taking into account the Landing Obligation, improving scientific knowledge and encouraging good practices among fishermen. | Tool, Recommendation, Publication, Data | Completed | 2020 | https://sumaris-project.com/en/homepage/ | |||||||||||
42 | Scottish Entanglement Alliance | Since 2018- present | Government, Industry, NGO, Academic | Ellie MacLennan (Glasgow Uni 2903239M@student.gla.ac.uk) Susie Calderan (SAMS) Project email: entanglement@strandings.org NatureScot contact: Michele.DeNoia@nature.scot SEA contact: em323@st-andrews.ac.uk | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 3 BMI objective 4 | EMFF, NGOs NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund | NatureScott, SMASS, SCFF, WDC, HWDT, BDMLR, IFAW The Scottish Entanglement Aalliance | All Scottish waters | Cetaceans, Elasmobranch, Turtles | Minke whale; humpback whale; basking shark | Pots | All year | The Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA) is a partnership between six organisations dedicated to promoting and protecting Scotland's wildlife, heritage and sustainable marine industries. The goal of this project is to engage with the Scottish inshore fishing industry to better to understand the extent, scale and impact of marine animal entanglement in Scotland's creel fisheries. The project is trialling sinking lines (negatively buoyant rope) for creels fisheries to: 1) reduce the entanglement risk. (2) assess the socioeconomic, welfare and conservation impacts of entanglements; (3) raise awareness of entanglements amongst fishers and other marine users; (4) improve reporting rates of marine animal entanglements; and (5) encourage fishers to become involved in entanglement research and in developing and trialling best practise protocols and mitigation efforts. 6) to develop sustainable, proportional mitigation strategies for the benefit of those affected. | Data, Recommendation, Publication | Ongoing | https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01214 https://scottishentanglement.org/ https://www.nature.scot/doc/naturescot-research-report-1268-scottish-entanglement-alliance-sea-understanding-scale-and-impacts | ||||||||||
43 | Investigating the use of sinking groundline in Scottish creel fisheries to reduce entanglement risks to marine megafauna | 2022 | NGO | Susannah Calderan (Susannah.Calderan@sams.ac.uk) | No | BMI objective 3 | WDC | Susannah Calderan | Scotland | Cetaceans, Elasmobranch | Marine megafauna | Pots | Review of the use of sinking line as a mitigation measure to reduce entanglements of marine megafauna in creel/pot fisheries. US implementation was reviewed and recommendations for implementation in Scottish fisheries were provided. | Publication | Completed | https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/scottish-creel-fisheries-entanglement-report.pdf | ||||||||||
44 | An evaluation of cetacean bycatch in UK fisheries: problems and solutions | 2021 | NGO | No | BMI objective 1 | WDC | Russell Leaper | UK | Cetaceans, Seals | Pots, Pelagic trawlers, Midwater trawlers, bottom towed trawlers, Static nets | Review of cetacean bycatch in UK fisheries (trawls, pots/creels, and gillnets) with an overview of the target species, main bycatch concerns, monitoring requirements, and measures to reduce bycatch. | Publication | Completed | https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/cetacean-bycatch-uk-fisheries-problems-solutions.pdf | ||||||||||||
45 | Mobilising the United Kingdom’s Seafood Industry to protect Marine Wildlife | 2021-2023 | NGO, Industry | Bianca Cisternino bianca.cisternino@whales.org | No | BMI objective 2 | John Ellerman Foundation | WDC, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Birdlife | UK, global | All | All | Engaged supermarkets to assess their fisheries supply chain data for associated marine mammal, elasmobranch, sea bird, and turtle bycatch. Recommendations were provided to the supermarkets to improve their fisheries. | Publication, Recommendation, Data | Completed | ASDA: https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/Asda-Bycatch-Audit-Report.pdf Coop: https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/Coop-Bycatch-Audit-Report.pdf Tesco: https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/Tesco-Bycatch-Audit-Report.pdf | |||||||||||
46 | REM for monitoring ETP species bycatch on gillnet vessels in SW and SE England. | Not started | NGO, Industry | Bianca Cisternino bianca.cisternino@whales.org | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 2 | WDC, SeaScope | SW and SE England | All | Static nets | Provide a baseline of information on the bycatch of ETP species in gillnets in SE and SW England by equipping 20 gillnet fishers’ vessels with REM for 12 months. Identify bycatch "hotspots", develop recommendations for effective mitigation measures and alternative gears that minimise entanglements. | Publication, Recommendation, Data | Not yet started | 2026 | |||||||||||||
47 | Understanding barriers to transitioning to alternatives to gillnets | 2025 | NGO, Industry | Bianca Cisternino bianca.cisternino@whales.org | BMI objective 3, BMI objective 4 | WDC | NE and SE England | Cetaceans, Seals | Static nets | October 2024-February 2025 | Conduct in-person interviews with fishers inNE and SE England to understand barriers to switching to alternative gears with lower bycatch risk, alongside engagement with government agencies, data analysis, and dissemination of findings to promote awareness and facilitate industry-wide shifts towards more sustainable fishing methods. | Publication, Recommendation | Not yet started | 2025 | https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/03/2026-03_Alternative-Gear-Questionnaire-Report.pdf | |||||||||||
48 | Cornwall Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Project | 2021-2023 | NGO | Yann Rouxel (RSPB) yann.rouxel@rspb.org.uk | No | BMI objective 3 | Defra - G7 Legacy Fund RSPB/CIFCA | RSPB , Birdlife International, Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (Cornwall IFCA), Natural England (NE), and Cornish gillnet fishers | England, South West-Cornwall | Seabirds | Static nets | two seasons (2021/2022 and 2022/2023) | The project, which launched in winter 2021, tested the use of looming eye buoys and predator shaped kites in gillnet fisheries to assess their effectiveness in keeping seabirds away from gillnets. Initial results seem inconclusive and not peer-reviewd, but kites seemed more effective than LEBs. | Publication | Completed | 2023 | https://www.cornwall-ifca.gov.uk/looming-eyes https://www.cleancatchuk.com/mitigation/looming-eye-buoys/ | |||||||||
49 | Devon and Severn IFCA REM Trials | 2021-2023 | Government | D&S IFCA | No | BMI objective 1 | D&S IFCA | England | All | Scallop dredgers, aim to extend to trawlers | D&S IFCA has successfully trialled a low-cost REM solution that could provide the necessary level of monitoring and evidence to deter illegal fishing within MPAs and afford meaningful protection to these sites. - D&S IFCA Officers are currently (March 2023) looking for funding to roll out the trial of REM and Cameras on to 10 Mobile Fishing Vessels operating in its District. This is with a view to potentially use these technologies to further manage the exploitation of sea fish resources in Marine Protected Areas in the district and protect sensitive designated features. | Completed | https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DSIFCAAnnual-Report-2022-23V1.0-27thMarch2023.pdf | |||||||||||||
50 | Filey Bay Gillnet Bycatch Mitigation | Ongoing | NGO | K.Burrow | No | BMI objective 3 | Volunteer | RSPB and local fishers | Filey Bay, East Yorkshire coast, UK, | Seabirds | Static nets | Mitigation measures used: net attendance (most successful); high visiblity sections of the leader line (effective); coloured floats (further trials needed); LEBs (early days); | Ongoing | Qualey, H. (2015): Filey Bay: Safe Seas for Seabirds. https://community.rspb.org.uk/getinvolved/b/seabirds/posts/fishing-in-filey-bay-lessons-in-reducing-gillnet-bycatch | ||||||||||||
51 | Developing a floated demersal longline design that minimises seabird bycatch | 2020-2022 | NGO | Yann Rouxel (RSPB) yann.rouxel@rspb.org.uk | No | BMI objective 3 | UK Seafood Innovation Fund Defra Cefas | RSPB | Scotland & UK | Seabirds | Long lines | https://www.seafoodinnovation.fund/projects/developing-a-floated-demersal-longline-design-that-minimises-seabird-bycatch-fs031/ | Publication | Completed | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0267169 | |||||||||||
52 | Bycatch Risk Mapping | 2020-2021 2015-2018 | Government | Peter Evans: peter.evans@seawatchfoundation.org.uk | Yes | BMI objective 1 BMI objective 3 | European Commission | Sea Watch Foundation and Bangor University | North-eastern atlantic NW Europe | Cetaceans, Seabirds | All | All | All year | To advance the knowledge on bycatch risk for species protected under the EU birds and habitat directives, focusing on cetaceans and seabirds. To provide quantitative and spatial information on bycatch risk for cetaceans and seabirds. Results should help identify the most appropriate areas and times of year to focus bycatch monitoring programmes and to implement conservation measures to eliminate or minimise bycatch. Mapping of fishing effort using AIS for every gear type by month, year, (4-year period), density distribution mapping of cetacean and seabird species also by month, and overlap between the two to estimate bycatch risk. | Publication | Completed | https://www.cetambicion-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/RISK-MAPPING-REPORT.pdf https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/3f466d71-92a7-49eb-9c63-6cb0fadf29dc/library/b5021eec-77d2-48f0-8f0b-6428af40aa1b/details?download=true | |||||||||
53 | ASCOBANS-ACCOBAMS Joint Bycatch WG | Ongoing | Government | Peter Evans: peter.evans@seawatchfoundation.org.uk | Yes | BMI objective 3 | UNEP/ASCOBANS | Sea Watch Foundation | Europe | Cetaceans | All | All | All year | Developing Conservation Objectives, Threshold setting for anthropogenic removals, review of bycatch monitoring & mitigation methods. | Publication | Ongoing | ||||||||||
54 | East Anglia One North and 2 offshore windfarms by-catch reduction compensation requirements | 2023 onwards | Industry | scottishpower.com | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 3, BMI objective 4 | SPR | ScottishPower Renewables | East Anglia | Seabirds | Rd-throated diver and lessr-black backed gull | Long lines | All year | There are several actions associated with this project. 1. a year long monitoring of fishing vessels off east anglia to determine level of by-catch of focus species 2. develop mitigation for fishing gear to reduce by--catch of seabirds 3. run a trial of by-catch mitigation gear 4. create a fund for fishers to access to support uptake of mitigation gear | Data | Ongoing | 2028 | https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN010078/EN010078-009881-ExA.AS-6.SoSQ2.V5%20EA2%20Offshore%20Ornithology%20Without%20Prejudice%20Compensation%20Measures.pdf | |||||||||
55 | Collaborating with Scotland's creel fishers to reduce entanglement of minke whales, basking sharks and other megafauna through gear modifications | 2022-2024 | Government, Academic, Industry, NGO | WDC contact: Bianca.Cisternino@whales.org NatureScot contact: Michele.DeNoia@nature.scot; Susannah Calderan (Susannah.Calderan@sams.ac.uk) | BMI objective 3 | Nature Restoration Fund, Jimgle Jam | Whale and Dolphin Conservation WDC with assistance from SCFF and IFAW | Isle of Skye Inner Sound, West of Scotland | Cetaceans, Elasmobranch, Turtles | Minke whale; humpback whale; basking shark | Pots | All year | This project will trial in a Scottish context, the practicalities of replacing ground lines made from buoyant rope which floats in loops between creels several metres off the seabed with sinking lines which lie on the seabed. Trials will take place over 18 months, on a small sample of vessels and creel fleets in the Nephrops and crab fisheries, and the impacts and effectiveness will be monitored. If successful, this measure could hep to reduce the entanglement of the Priority Marine Features of minke whales and basking sharks, as well as other megafauna which are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear. | Publication and Recommendation | May-24 | https://uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/how-we-help/trialling-whale-safe-fishing-ropes-scotland/ | ||||||||||
56 | Improving understanding of seabird bycatch in Scottish longline fisheries | 2021-2023 | Academic | Allen Kingston, ark10@st-andrews.ac.uk | BMI objective 1 | Scottish Government | The University of St Andrews | All UK waters | Seabirds | Northern fulmar; northern gannet; great shearwater; great skua | Long lines | All year | A Scottish Government funded study to improve knowledge and understanding of bycatch in the offshore longline fishery that targets hake in the United Kingdom and European Union waters, through new data analyses and discourse with industry. | Publication | Completed | completed | Improving understanding of seabird bycatch in Scottish longline fisheries and exploring potential solutions - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) | |||||||||
57 | Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) | 2021-2026 | Government | Andrew Brownlow andrew.brownlow@glasgow.ac.uk | BMI objective 1 | Scottish Government | The University of Glasgow | All Scottish waters | Cetaceans, Seals | Cetaceans, seals, elasmobranchs (basking sharks) | All | All year | The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme is the dedicated research and reporting scheme for stranded cetaceans, pinnipeds, marine turtles, and large sharks in Scotland. Collects data on stranded cetaceans and seals to determine cause of death (which included bycatch) through necrospsies. Until 2021 the Cetacean components of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme was part of the CSIP. | Publication | Ongoing | 2026 | Published Reports - SMASS (strandings.org) | |||||||||
58 | Scottish Government/ Scottish Fishermen's Federation Joint Observer Sampling Scheme | 2013-present | Government | BMI objective 1 | Scottish Government | Scottish Fishermen's Federation | All Scottish waters | All | Bottom towed trawlers | All year | The aims of the scheme are 1) Collecting, storing, and analysing a single, definitive source of Sottish unwanted catch date; 2) Providing statistically robust estimates of target, by-catch and market data for reporting; 3) Reducing the variance associated with unwanted catch estimates; 4) Providing greater coverage with a larger quantity of vessels sampled year on year; 5) Improving stakeholders' confidence through effective and efficient use of available resources and data. Although the primary purpose of the scheme is to collect unwanted fish catch data, the bycatch of sensitive any sensitive species is also recorded. | Data | Ongoing | Rolling annual funding with no set end date | ||||||||||||
59 | Orsted bycatch mitigation | Industry led | Orsted | No | BMI objective 3, BMI objective 4 | Orsted | Seascope | East Yorkshire coast and South West | Seabirds | Guillemot are the focus, but all bycaught species are recorded | Static nets | October - March | Looming eye buoy trials. Project not yet finalised/developed but the aim is for the project to support the use of a bycatch compensation measure for the Hornsea Four offshore windfarm development. | |||||||||||||
60 | Inshore bycatch mitigation trial year 1 (FISP/Fishtek) | 2023/24 | Government | Orsted | Yes | BMI objective 3, BMI objective 4 | FISP (UKG) plus Equinor. Orsted are providing data. | Fishtek | South West | All | Guillemot are the focus, but all bycaught species are recorded | Static nets | October - September | |||||||||||||
61 | Offshore bycatch monitoring study year 1 and 2 | 2022/23 | Industry | Orsted | Yes | BMI objective 1, BMI objective 2, BMI objective 4 | Orsted | Seascope | South West | All | Guillemot are the focus, but all bycaught species are recorded | All | October - March | |||||||||||||
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