Earlier this year WWF together with partners launched the “Baltic Smart Gear” project aimed to improve selectivity of fishing gears within the Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Smart Gear project has emerged as a consequence of the decline of harbor porpoises and important sea birds seen in both the central Baltic basin, the Belt Sea and Kattegat, where gillnets have been identified as one of the main causes. Gillnets are due its easiness to handle and cost, the most commonly used fishing gear used in coastal waters. It is highly selective in terms of fish but pose a threat to diving sea birds and harbor porpoises who often get caught as bycatch. The Baltic Smart Gear project therefore sets out to develop a new alternative to the conventional gillnet fishing gear, a new gear that reduce bycatch of endangered marine mammals and protected sea birds.
By working together with gear technologist, fisheries research institutes, fishermen and underwater acoustic experts WWF aims at developing and testing an alternative techniques that fulfills both nature conservation demands of reducing bycatch and fishing sector viability. Such development would support to fulfil the obligation of all EU member states to develop management plans for their designated Natura 2000 sites. Field testing of the new fishing gear will be conducted in a joint approach in German, Polish and Danish waters.
If you wish to know more about the project and/or wish to participate, please see the pdf below where you will find more information and contact details to the project coordinators.