Project Details
Description
The project will evaluate the impact of the brown shrimp beam trawl (BSBT) fishery within the Natura 2000 site in the Danish Wadden Sea. In this region, the BSBT fishery is the sole operation using mobile bottom-contacting gear.
The BSBT fishery occurs on the sand outside Fanø, Manø and Rømø in areas naturally disturbed by storms, tidal currents and sediment resuspension. Its additional impact may be inferred by comparing the fishery’s bottom disturbance to the natural back-ground level. The project will deliver the first comparative assessment of BSBT impacts on high-energy sandbanks by combining physical energy modelling of natural occurring disturbances (WP1) and analytical gear–seabed interaction assessments (WP2).
Direct ecological impacts will be assessed through systematic sampling of bottom fauna across gradients of fishing intensity. Additionally, fishing closures will be established and monitored to provide baseline data and estimates of recovery potential (WP3-5). Potential effects of juvenile bycatch in the BSBT fishery on fish stocks dynamics will be analysed based on onboard sampling data (WP5-6).
Scenario testing of potential management measures (WP7) will assess ecological and economic outcomes of BSBT, focusing on trade-offs between fishing activity and habitat protection. The results will deliver scenarios that support coexistence with conservation goals of Natura 2000 sites.
The project will initiate in February 2026. The project's results will be made freely available to all enterprises operating within the relevant sector or subsector. The approximate date on which the expected results of the project will be published on www.aqua.dtu.dk/publications January 2028.
The BSBT fishery occurs on the sand outside Fanø, Manø and Rømø in areas naturally disturbed by storms, tidal currents and sediment resuspension. Its additional impact may be inferred by comparing the fishery’s bottom disturbance to the natural back-ground level. The project will deliver the first comparative assessment of BSBT impacts on high-energy sandbanks by combining physical energy modelling of natural occurring disturbances (WP1) and analytical gear–seabed interaction assessments (WP2).
Direct ecological impacts will be assessed through systematic sampling of bottom fauna across gradients of fishing intensity. Additionally, fishing closures will be established and monitored to provide baseline data and estimates of recovery potential (WP3-5). Potential effects of juvenile bycatch in the BSBT fishery on fish stocks dynamics will be analysed based on onboard sampling data (WP5-6).
Scenario testing of potential management measures (WP7) will assess ecological and economic outcomes of BSBT, focusing on trade-offs between fishing activity and habitat protection. The results will deliver scenarios that support coexistence with conservation goals of Natura 2000 sites.
The project will initiate in February 2026. The project's results will be made freely available to all enterprises operating within the relevant sector or subsector. The approximate date on which the expected results of the project will be published on www.aqua.dtu.dk/publications January 2028.
Funding
The project is funded by Green Programme: Green Transition for Fisheries and Aquaculture (pursuant to the research reserve in the Finance Act for 2025, section 24.63.10.85).
Research area: Marine Living Resources
Research area: Ecosystem based Marine Management
Research area: Fisheries Technology
Research area: Marine Living Resources
Research area: Ecosystem based Marine Management
Research area: Fisheries Technology
| Acronym | BISE |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Effective start/end date | 10/10/2025 → 31/01/2028 |
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