Project Objectives
REDUCE is guided by both general and specific objectives designed to address the challenge of bycatch reduction and promote sustainable fishing practices. These include:
General Objective
Minimize bycatch of threatened marine megafauna in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean. The overall goal of REDUCE is to align stakeholder efforts and utilize interdisciplinary and novel scientific approaches to reduce the accidental catch of ETP species and inform sustainable fishery management for industrial EU fisheries operating in this poorly studied region.
Specific Objectives
- Reduce ETP species’ bycatch data collection through enhanced observer programs, electronic monitoring, and AI-driven tools.
- Analyze bycatch risks and their impacts on the aimed species population dynamics and ecosystem resilience.
- Test and implement effective mitigation strategies, including gear modifications and spatial planning.
- Foster collaboration among stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability
Specific Objectives
- Reduce ETP species’ bycatch data collection through enhanced observer programs, electronic monitoring, and AI-driven tools.
- Analyze bycatch risks and their impacts on the aimed species population dynamics and ecosystem resilience.
- Test and implement effective mitigation strategies, including gear modifications and spatial planning.
- Foster collaboration among stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability
Milestones and Deliverables
The project tracks progress through measurable milestones and outputs, such as:
Development of a robust data management plan and open-access repositories.
Implementation of innovative bycatch monitoring technologies.
Validation of habitat models to predict bycatch risks.
Dissemination of results to inform policy and foster stakeholder engagement
Innovative Methodologies
The study of bycatch and its impact on affected taxonomic groups requires integrated approaches that combine field observations, modeling, and historical data analysis. Some of the key methodologies employed by REDUCE include:
Innovative Methodologies
The study of bycatch and its impact on affected taxonomic groups requires integrated approaches that combine field observations, modeling, and historical data analysis. Some of the key methodologies employed by REDUCE include:
Onboard Observation Programs
Observers on vessels collect direct data on bycatch, identifying species and quantities. This method is essential for evaluating mortality rates and identifying critical seasons.
Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS)
Cameras and acoustic sensors on vessels record interactions with endangered, threatened, and protected species (ETP species), offering objective and continuous data.
Satellite Tracking and Species Tagging
Tracking devices monitor movements, migration routes, and high-risk fishing areas, particularly for sea turtles and seabirds.
Species Distribution Models (SDM)
These models combine presence data, environmental variables, and fishing effort to identify critical interaction areas, aiding spatial management.
Stranding Monitoring Networks
Coastal strandings provide complementary data on affected species, estimating interactions through physical and biological analysis such as age, sex, and reproductive status.
Drift Modeling and Experiments
Simulations of bycatch-related debris trajectories help link fishing zones to strandings, improving forensic analysis.
Population Viability Analysis (PVA)
These assessments quantify bycatch impacts on population dynamics and propose sustainable mortality thresholds.
Genetic and Isotope Analysis
Genetic tools trace population origins, while isotope studies reveal feeding patterns and areas of interaction.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI-driven tools optimize monitoring and data analysis, identifying species in EMS footage and forecasting high-risk bycatch areas, enabling real-time adaptive management.
Mitigation measures
To address the impacts of bycatch, it is essential to implement measures that reduce negative interactions with vulnerable taxons: