MedBycatch project is well into its second phase and identifying and testing technical solutions and methods that can mitigate bycatch in the Mediterranean is our main goal.
To safeguard the standardised approach of the project, two mitigation workshops were organized and implemented online (due to the pandemic restrictions) on May 24th and 25th. 16 local partners (NGOs, research institutes etc.) and 7 direct partners, along with fisheries experts, scientific committee members, national focal points and observers from Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Croatia and Italy participated the workshops and exchanged views on the best methods and tools to mitigate bycatch incidents per fishing gear and marine area of interest (Alboran Sea, Sicily Strait- Tunisian Plateau, Levantine Basin – Central Aegean and Adriatic Sea).
The workshop held on May 24th was organized by MEDASSET and was dedicated to trawl vessels. Trawls is one of the main fishing gear used in Mediterranean fisheries, thus reducing trawl bycatch is of high importance. Measures identified by the MedBycatch scientific committee were thoroughly discussed and technical solution like Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs), spatial and temporal measures, exclusion grids etc., were assessed. Similarly, the workshop organized on May 25th featured mitigation tools and methods for longline, static net and purse seine fishing gears by WWF, SPA/RAC and ACCOBAMS accordingly.
MedBycatch project is progressing strong towards reducing bycatch in the Mediterranean with the collaboration of the fishing community, scientists and authorities in the countries of implementation.
