Collaboration between the scientific community and the fishing sector to minimize discards in Baltic cod fisheries (38918)

The main aim of this study was to identify technical solutions, both economically and biologically sustainable, to mitigate the discards of cod in the Baltic Sea cod fishery.

The aim of the project was divided into three main tasks:
- Assessing the present knowledge on discards and causes of discards in the Baltic cod fishery, and exploring the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of discard sensitive size classes of cod and of the fishery effort.
- Identifying technical solutions and suggesting final technical measures to further mitigate discards in the trawl fishery for Baltic Sea cod.
- Evaluating the possible impacts of the proposed technical solutions and technical measures on the stock and on the economy of the fisheries concerned.

These tasks were undertaken through a desktop study, a technical study and an impact study.

In order to engage trawl fishermen in the project, a questionnaire was sent in spring 2012 to active fishermen in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Poland. The aim was to establish a dialogue with the industry on selectivity, gear selection, discard patterns and management options, and to collect their views, problems and potential solutions to mitigate discards. This questionnaire was the basis for further discussions with the industry during a workshop.

This project was coordinated by Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and funded by EU, Calls for proposals/tenders (Mare/2010/11 LOT 1 programme).

Research area: Fisheries Technology