Resources
REDUCE is working to produce a range of resources to support fishing sector and fisheries managers, policymakers, and conservation stakeholders in addressing bycatch challenges. Those tools, reports, and best practices are designed to enhance knowledge, guide decision-making, and promote sustainable fisheries management.
REDUCEWatch: A Bycatch Management Tool
REDUCEWatch is conceived as an advanced decision-support tool that will integrate real-time data, bycatch risk assessments, and spatial management insights. It will allow the fishing industry, regulatory bodies, and conservation groups to evaluate mitigation strategies, predict bycatch hotspots, and align their operations with sustainability goals.
With REDUCEWatch, stakeholders can:
- Access dynamic bycatch risk maps to identify high-risk fishing areas.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of spatial and temporal fishing management measures.
- Utilize species distribution models to forecast interactions with vulnerable taxa.
This tool bridges the gap between scientific research and practical fisheries management, fostering data-driven decision-making.
Specific Outcomes
We generate and compile a wealth of scientific literature to inform fisheries management and biodiversity conservation. This section includes:
These publications are essential resources for researchers and stakeholders seeking to develop evidence-based solutions.
Peer-reviewed studies
Scientific publications play a key role in analyzing bycatch trends, ecosystem impacts, and mitigation strategies. Through peer-reviewed studies, the project contributes to a deeper understanding of threatened species in the Eastern Central Atlantic, providing evidence-based recommendations for fisheries management. Over the course of the initiative, at least 30 scientific publications are expected, covering topics such as species distribution, bycatch risk assessments, and post-release survival analyses.
Technical reports
Research findings and field assessments are documented in technical reports, which offer valuable insights into species distribution, fishing activity patterns, and bycatch risks. These reports also introduce tools like REDUCEWatch, a decision-support system that provides spatial and temporal data on fisheries interactions with marine megafauna. The information gathered helps design mitigation strategies and improve the sustainability of fisheries in the region.
Policy briefs
To ensure that scientific insights translate into real-world impact, policy briefs provide decision-makers with clear and actionable recommendations for bycatch reduction. These documents bridge the gap between research and fisheries management, promoting sustainable practices and facilitating the adoption of effective mitigation measures. A key objective is to make findings accessible and applicable to industry stakeholders and regulatory bodie.
Beyond Deliverables
The impact of REDUCE extends beyond its core objectives, generating long-term benefits through applied research, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement. By bridging science, policy, and industry, the project ensures that bycatch reduction strategies translate into meaningful improvements in fisheries management and marine conservation.
Key contributions include:
Data & Monitoring Tools
A range of advanced tools support the tracking of bycatch, assessment of risks, and development of sustainable fisheries management strategies. These include:
AI-Based Monitoring
Machine learning models automate bycatch identification, improving data accuracy and efficiency.
Spatiotemporal Risk Mapping
Predictive models integrate environmental and fishing effort data to identify high-risk bycatch areas.
Fishing Effort Assessments
Data on fleet activity and gear types to analyze interactions with non-target species.
Survival Rate Evaluations
Post-release mortality studies for seabirds, sharks, and turtles to improve handling practices.
Bycatch Impact & IUU Fishing Analysis
Assessments of how bycatch affects PET species and the impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on marine biodiversity.
AI-Based Monitoring
Machine learning models automate bycatch identification, improving data accuracy and efficiency.
Spatiotemporal Risk Mapping
Predictive models integrate environmental and fishing effort data to identify high-risk bycatch areas.
Fishing Effort Assessments
Data on fleet activity and gear types to analyze interactions with non-target species.
Survival Rate Evaluations
Post-release mortality studies for seabirds, sharks, and turtles to improve handling practices.
Bycatch Impact & IUU Fishing Analysis
Assessments of how bycatch affects PET species and the impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on marine biodiversity.
Guidelines & Best Practices
Reducing bycatch and promoting sustainable fishing requires the adoption of effective strategies. The initiative will e valuate mitigation measures and establish efficient data handling and sharing mechanisms.
- The use of selective fishing gear, such as circle hooks and Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), helps minimize unintended catches.
- Implementing time-area closures protects vulnerable species by restricting fishing in high-risk areas during critical periods.
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A Fisheries Code of Conduct provides voluntary guidelines to encourage responsible fishing practices aligned with global conservation efforts.