REDUCE WORKSHOP

Reducing marine megafauna bycatch in Northwestern African fisheries

Advancing monitoring, mitigation and sustainability · Workshop onboard the Training Vessel INTERMARES · Port of Dakar (Senegal) · 19–23 October 2026
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Info
Objectives
Programme
Lecturers
Registration
FAQ
Dates
19–23 October 2026
Venue

On board Training Vessel INTERMARES · Port of Dakar (Senegal)

Duration
35 hours · 5 training days
Language
English (French interpretation available)
Application deadline
2 August 2026
Contact

ue.hctacybecuder@noitacinummoc ue.hctacybecuder@noitanidrooc

The Workshop

Organised by the Horizon Europe REDUCE project in collaboration with the Secretary-General for Fisheries (SGP) of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. A specialised, in-person course delivered on board the Training Vessel INTERMARES, designed to provide participants with the tools, technology skills and knowledge needed to make a real-scale impact on bycatch of Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species: fisheries governance and regulatory context, ecological and operational basis of bycatch, current mitigation measures, use of Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS), strandings as a source of information, and hands-on practices at sea.
We are launching the Call for Applicants to enrol in the REDUCE workshop in Dakar in October 2026. Registration is open until 2 August 2026.

Why training in marine megafauna bycatch?

The Eastern and Central Atlantic Ocean (ECAO) — the pelagic waters of the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa, Macaronesia and the Iberian coast — is a biodiversity hotspot for marine megafauna and one of the world’s main fishing grounds. Reducing incidental catches (bycatch) of ETP species remains one of the greatest challenges for sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity in the region. Funded by Horizon Europe, the REDUCE project aligns stakeholders’ efforts and uses interdisciplinary, novel scientific approaches to understand how bycatch occurs, evaluate its impacts and test mitigation measures, connecting EU long-distance fleets with coastal African countries.

Target audience

Planned for a maximum of 30 participants working in fisheries and marine conservation: observers, researchers, inspectors, technical officers of fisheries management and marine environment departments, or NGOs, among other specialised practitioners from Western African countries. Candidates must hold a university degree in a relevant field.

Facilities, format and methodology

The INTERMARES vessel is equipped with classrooms and laboratories for theoretical and practical training and teamwork. The workshop runs as a RESIDENTIAL COURSE (cabins, dining rooms, conference rooms). Lectures are complemented by practical sessions on fisheries and bycatch data collection, processing and reporting, including an at-sea training session on board. Active engagement, individual study time and teamwork are required. Participants must bring their own laptop.

Learning objectives

As an outcome of completing the workshop programme, participants will have updated their technical and scientific knowledge on incidental catches in the ECAO region. Specific learning outcomes:
  • A clear understanding of the ecological basis, regulatory framework and fisheries management policies in Western African fisheries.
  • Thorough knowledge of fisheries bycatch, international standards for minimising bycatch, and the regulatory and data gaps in West Africa.
  • Understanding of the ecological and biological aspects that make marine megafauna ETP species vulnerable to fishery bycatch mortality.
  • Acknowledging the key role of data collection and processing in fisheries management.
  • Recognising the range of methodologies currently used to monitor marine megafauna.
  • Understanding the application of Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS) in fisheries: principles and practice.
  • Practical skills to apply visual survey protocols and identify species at sea (seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, sharks and rays).
  • Understanding how to monitor bycatch mortality, assess impacts and apply mitigation measures.
  • Understanding the contribution of stranded animals to biology, and to identifying and quantifying bycatch mortality.
  • Recognising carcass tagging and drift models as tools for investigating bycatch hotspots and stranding dynamics.
  • Performing basic laboratory procedures for DNA extraction and PCR-based verification from tissue samples, and interpreting the outputs.
  • Knowledge of current mitigation systems for different fisheries and species.
  • Data-processing competences for ETP species bycatch assessments, enabling participants to replicate this training at national level.

What you will learn

01

Governance & regulation

The West African regulatory framework, EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements and data gaps.
02

Electronic Monitoring

EM/EMS for fisheries management: from observation tool to audit tool, and the role of AI.
03

Megafauna bycatch

Biology, ecology and threats; monitoring methods, carcass tagging and necropsy diagnosis.
04

Hands-on at sea

Species identification, bird-scaring lines, safe handling & release of ETP species aboard INTERMARES.

Programme

35 hours of training scheduled over 5 days on board the INTERMARES.

Day 1 · Monday 19/10/2026

Opening ceremony · Introducing the Workshop and the REDUCE project · Safety onboard (guided tour by vessel officers).
Module 1 — Fisheries Governance in Western African waters
  • Introduction to West African fisheries.
  • Regulatory framework.
  • EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) with West African coastal states.
  • Team exercise.

Day 2 · Tuesday 20/10/2026

Module 2 — Electronic Monitoring (EM) for Fisheries Management in West Africa
  • Fisheries data.
  • What is EM, and where AI fits in.
  • Using EM data for fisheries management.
  • Rethinking EM: from observation tool to audit tool.
  • Digital monitoring systems and the evolution of EM.
  • Building an EM programme: key policy choices for governments.
  • Teamwork; legal and institutional frameworks for EM.
  • EM in West Africa: opportunities, challenges and pathways forward. Preparation of practices for the trip at sea.

Day 3 · Wednesday 21/10/2026

Module 3 — Bycatch of marine mammals and other megafauna
  • Marine megafauna: biology, ecology, threats and conservation.
  • Monitoring and assessing the impact of fishery bycatch on ETP species.
  • Marine megafauna monitoring methods.
  • Carcass tagging.
  • Bycatch diagnosis from necropsies on stranded animals.
  • Retrieving genetic information from strandings and bycaught animals. Integrated practice: constructing the life table.

Day 4 · Thursday 22/10/2026

Module 3 — Bycatch of marine mammals and other megafauna (continuation)
  • Practical session: full necropsy (Group 1).
  • Practical session: full necropsy (Group 2).
  • Teamwork and students’ presentations.
  • Preparation of equipment and materials for the practical session at sea (Day 5). Instructions.

Day 5 · Friday 23/10/2026

Hands-on session at sea: offshore navigation on board the INTERMARES and practical components of the lessons.
  • Megafauna identification and censusing skills.
  • Carcass tagging in practice.
  • Deployment of bird-scaring lines.
  • Safe handling & release of ETP species: best practices.
  • Skills and knowledge assessment.
  • Closing ceremony.

Lecturers

Sessions are delivered by specialists from partner research institutions and invited experts from international entities related to fisheries management. Each session has one or two teachers attending in person; some specific topics may be delivered online.

REDUCE project lecturers

  • Ross Wanles — University of Barcelona (Spain).
  • Catarina Silva — University of Coimbra (Portugal).
  • Ahmed Diam — Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation in West Africa (PRCM), Senegal.
  • Graham Pierce — Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, IIM-CSIC (Spain).
  • Andrea Fariña — Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, IIM-CSIC (Spain).
  • Mafalda Correia — CIIMAR, University of Porto (Portugal).
  • Nádia Silva — CIIMAR, University of Porto (Portugal).

Invited speakers

  • A researcher from the IEO-CSIC (TBC).
  • A representative from the Commission Sous Régionale des Pêches (CSRP) (TBC).
  • A representative from COMHAFAT/ATLAFCO (TBC).
  • A representative from ICCAT — Research and Data Collection Programmes (TBC).
  • A representative from the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF).
  • A policy officer from DG MARE — European Commission (TBC).

Grant coverage for accepted applicants

  • Training and training materials (onboard).
  • Travel expenses (booking instructions provided by the Organisers).
  • Health insurance (subject to the insurance company’s requirements).
  • Accommodation on board the INTERMARES (shared cabins & bathrooms).
  • Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on board.

Selection process

  • Come from a coastal NW African country (Morocco to Angola).
  • Submit all required information within the deadline.
  • Demonstrate upper-intermediate (B2) English.
  • Hold a university degree relevant to the workshop topics.
  • Current work in fisheries / marine environment and biodiversity conservation (valued).
  • Experience in fisheries management, observation, data collection, strandings, REM/EMS (valued).
  • Additional criteria: gender balance, inclusion targets and geographic-origin distribution.

Registration

Please fill out this form to complete your application. All fields are required except where marked optional. Deadline for submission: 2 August 2026.

Please read the Data Protection notice (GDPR) below before accepting.

Data Protection notice (GDPR)

Privacy Notice and Consent. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), we inform you that the personal data collected through this Expression of Interest form will be processed under the following conditions:

  • Data Controller: Universitat de Barcelona (Lead Institution), as part of the European Project REDUCE (Reducing the Bycatch of ETP Species in the ECAO Region).
  • Purpose of Processing: Your data will be used exclusively to contact you regarding organisation and logistics of the REDUCE Workshop (Reducing marine megafauna bycatch in Northwest African fisheries: advancing monitoring, mitigation and sustainability) and compliance with administrative and legal obligations, in case you are selected.
  • Lawfulness of Processing: Data is processed based on your explicit consent by submitting this application form.
  • Data Retention: Your personal information will be kept only for the duration of the REDUCE project's selection and reporting phase, or until you request its deletion.
  • Recipients: Data of selected candidates will only be shared with the project partners strictly involved in the organisation of the training, the Spanish Secretary-General for Fisheries (Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries) as collaborator institution, and the Spanish Armada (as the Spanish public institution responsible for the vessel's operational control). No data will be transferred to third parties for commercial purposes.
  • Your Rights: You have the right to access, rectify or erase your data, as well as to withdraw your consent at any time. To exercise these rights, please contact ue.hctacybecuder@noitanidrooc or ue.hctacybecuder@noitacinummoc.

Frequently asked questions

Professionals working in fisheries and marine conservation in Western African countries — observers, researchers, inspectors, technical officers and NGO staff — holding a university degree in a relevant field. Maximum 30 participants.

 

Specialists from REDUCE partner research institutions (University of Barcelona, University of Coimbra, IIM-CSIC, CIIMAR–University of Porto, PRCM) and invited experts from international bodies such as IEO-CSIC, CSRP, COMHAFAT/ATLAFCO, ICCAT, CECAF and DG MARE.

 

A 35-hour residential course over 5 days on board the INTERMARES, combining lectures with practical sessions and teamwork, including an at-sea training session. Participants must bring their own laptop.

 

For selected applicants: training and materials, travel expenses, health insurance, accommodation on board (shared cabins) and daily meals. Granted students must follow all instructions provided by the Organisers.

 

Teaching is in English; minimum requirement B2 (CEFR) or 6.5 IELTS. Simultaneous French interpretation is available during the sessions.

 

A committee of REDUCE experts evaluates each candidate’s CV and motivation, and prepares a pre-selected list and a waiting list. Selected candidates are contacted in early September to confirm attendance and start the full registration process.

 

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Funded by the EU

REDUCE is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to mitigating bycatch of endangered marine megafauna in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean.

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