EVERY year, around 70,000 turtles and 200,000 seabirds die as a result of bycatch in EU fishing fleets. Bycatch occurs when marine species are unintentionally caught in commercial fishing gear, and it accounts for up to 40% of total fishing catches globally, leading to approximately 38 million tonnes of discarded catch each year.
In response to this alarming issue, a new EU Horizon funded project called REDUCE (Reducing bycatch of threatened megafauna in the East Central Atlantic) has been launched. The project, which has a budget of almost 9 million euros, aims to promote more sustainable fisheries management and reduce the bycatch of endangered marine wildlife.
Thirteen partners from the UK, Spain, Portugal, France, and Senegal have come together to tackle this problem. Running from January 2024 to December 2027, the project is co-led by Professor Jacob González-SolÃs and Lecturer Manel Gazo from the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona.
Professor González-SolÃs highlighted the goal of REDUCE, stating, REDUCE aims to gather the efforts of all sectors involved in this issue and to apply the most innovative interdisciplinary scientific approaches to reduce marine megafauna bycatch. In these marine regions, the search to understand megafauna bycatch rates, the causes, their impact, and ways to mitigate them has been underdeveloped compared to other areas where the EU fishing fleet operates.
The REDUCE project will focus on developing and testing new technologies and management strategies to assess, monitor, and reduce the bycatch of birds, turtles, cetaceans, sharks, and rays in the European long-distance fishing fleet. This includes trawlers, purse-seiners, and longliners operating in Atlantic Ocean waters from the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula to Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cabo Verde) and the Gulf of Guinea.
By addressing the issue of bycatch, the REDUCE project aims to preserve the fragile marine ecosystems, protect endangered species, and maintain a balanced oceanic food chain. The project’s outcomes will contribute to the long-term sustainability of fishing practices in the EU and beyond.
Efforts such as REDUCE are crucial in safeguarding marine biodiversity and ensuring the survival of threatened species. By working collaboratively and utilizing innovative approaches, the project hopes to make a substantial impact on reducing bycatch and creating a more sustainable future for our oceans.
The realization of this EU-funded project signifies a significant step forward in addressing the urgent need to tackle bycatch and protect marine megafauna from unnecessary harm. With its comprehensive approach and interdisciplinary focus, REDUCE aims to pave the way for more responsible and sustainable fishing practices, ensuring that the delicate balance of our ocean ecosystems is maintained for generations to come.
