From Fishing News: North Sea whitefish vessels have reached a milestone in a new bycatch monitoring trial. Participating vessels are using remote electronic monitoring cameras on seven vessels, as well as sensors on conveyor belts, to collect baseline data on the frequency of seabird interactions.
The mitigation phase, which includes the testing of bird scaring lines, will begin in early spring 2026.
The trial includes participation from Hooktone Group, the Aberdeen Fish Producer's Organization, the University of St. Andrews, the Clean Catch National Advisory Board, and the Scottish Government.
Read more: Co-designed bird bycatch avoidance trial rolled out - Fishing News
Featured Bycatch Species
The main cause of the decline of loggerhead turtles, and the current primary threat to global populations is bycatch in longlines, gillnets, trawls, traps and pots, and dredges.