What is REDUCE
This is a European-funded research initiative addressing bycatch in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean. It unites scientists, the fishing industry, and NGOs to protect marine biodiversity.
The project focuses on threatened megafauna such as sea turtles, cetaceans, seabirds, sharks, and rays, combining innovative tools, advanced monitoring, and collaborative efforts to foster sustainable fishing practices.
Bycatch of threatened marine megafauna, including sea turtles, cetaceans, seabirds, sharks, and rays, remains a major challenge in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean. This incidental capture not only threatens biodiversity but also creates socioeconomic and operational challenges for fisheries. Addressing this issue requires collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
REDUCE is a European-funded research initiative that brings together experts from multiple disciplines to develop innovative solutions for bycatch mitigation. The project combines cutting-edge monitoring technologies, data-driven modeling, and participatory approaches with the fishing industry to design feasible and science-based mitigation strategies.
A key aspect of REDUCE is building trust and cooperation with the fishing sector and regulatory bodies. By fostering dialogue and acknowledging the operational and economic constraints faced by different stakeholders, the project aims to promote solutions that are not only effective but also practical and widely accepted. Through this collaborative effort, REDUCE seeks to bridge the gap between science and policy, ensuring sustainable fisheries management and long-term conservation of marine megafauna.
Monitor Bycatch
Obtain high-resolution bycatch data for ETPS across fisheries and taxa, including bycatch estimates from ghost gear and dFADs (drifting Fish Aggregating Devices), by reinforcing capacity in observer programs and advancing the testing and implementation of electronic monitoring (EM) systems and automated Machine Learning (ML) tools.
Analyze bycatch effects on species population dynamics and ecosystem resilience. Additionally, integrated modelling of bycatch and mortality will be employed, based on fishing effort data, long-term spatiotemporal distribution data, and demographic data of ETPS. This evaluation will improve understanding of the operational, environmental, and socioecological drivers of bycatch and assess bycatch risk in space and time.
Collaborate with stakeholders to co-design mitigation measures like gear modifications and marine spatial planning. Special focus will be given to developing marine spatial planning strategies that account for cross-taxa bycatch effects, ensuring sustainable fisheries management in the East Central Atlantic Ocean (ECAO).
Reducing bycatch requires building capacity and fostering effective collaboration between scientists, the fishing industry, and policymakers. The REDUCE project will promote this cooperation through workshops, training, and collaborative events, creating a shared space for co-creation with key stakeholders. Additionally, it will provide scientific support and resources to guide bycatch reduction in the ETPS, showcasing how knowledge and technology transfer can create opportunities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries.
Project Structure
The project operates through nine integrated work packages, addressing research, ethics, data management, bycatch monitoring, mitigation strategies, and outreach. REDUCE ensures robust data collection, capacity building, and dissemination of best practices for long-lasting impacts on marine ecosystems.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee serves as the backbone of REDUCE, providing strategic oversight and ensuring that every decision aligns with the mission of the project. This team of work package leaders bridges science, policy, and industry to drive results and keep the project on course.
- Define strategic priorities
- Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders
- Monitors project milestones and objectives
Work Packages
Ethics Requirements
Ensures full compliance with ethical standards, guiding the consortium in all activities and maintaining transparency.
Coordination and Data Management
Oversees efficient coordination and data management, ensuring adherence to FAIR principles and alignment across all project objectives.
Bycatch Monitoring
Collects detailed data on bycatch using innovative electronic monitoring systems and observer programs to identify high-risk areas and species interactions.
Post-Release Mortality
Examines survival rates and recovery periods of bycaught species such as seabirds, sharks, and turtles, contributing to improved mitigation measures.
Spatial Distribution, Habitat Modelling, and Bycatch Risk
Integrates data from monitoring systems and numerical modeling to predict bycatch risk and guide mitigation strategies.
Impacts on Population Abundance and Viability
Quantifies the effects of bycatch on population dynamics and ecosystem resilience, standardizing data for actionable insights.
Reducing Bycatch and Post-Release Mortality
Tests practical mitigation measures, such as gear modifications, to reduce bycatch and associated mortality, effectively.
Marine Spatial Planning
Develops equitable spatial planning frameworks to balance fisheries’ socio-ecological dynamics with marine conservation efforts.
Dissemination, Outreach, and Knowledge Transfer
Establishes collaborative platforms to share knowledge and engage stakeholders, ensuring long-term impact on biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.
Job Opportunities
REDUCE invites you to be part of this transformative initiative. Explore our latest job opportunities and contribute to the future of sustainable oceans.
