Interactions between protected species and fisheries (39823/104081)

The overarching goal of the project is to help reduce the conflicts between protected species and fisheries, specifically to reduce the bycatch of marine mammals and seabirds in the gillnet fisheries and to reduce the impacts of seals on the fisheries through the development and testing of seal-safe fishing gear.

Project activties include:
1) Trials of LED-lights to reduce the bycatch of seabirds in gillnet fisheries.
2) Trials of 'looming eye buoys' to reduce the depredation by cormorants on fish in pound nets.
3) Trials of gillnets with thinner twine to reduce bycatch of harbour porpoises.
4) Testing different types of bait for cod pots.
5) Development and testing of the fishers' proposals for seal-safe fishing gear.
6) Testing acoustically reflective nets ('pearl nets') to reduce bycatch of harbour porpoises.

Funding
The projects is funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the Danish Fisheries Agency.
Research area: Ecosystem based Marine Management