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Innovative technologies to reduce by-catch in gillnet fisheries

Description

Ecuadorian artisanal fleets produce some of the highest rates of endangered species fisheries bycatch in the East Pacific. Ecuador accounts for approximately 40,000 turtles accidentally caught in the Southeast Pacific.

This innovation project will test the effectiveness of Bycatch Reduction Technologies (BRT) in the nearshore gillnet fishery using a three-pronged approach:

(1) through community workshops;

(2) a human-centered design; and

(3) scientific trials of two LED light devices called Centro and Pisces to reduce turtle bycatch.

This will be underpinned by a sustainable business model offering fishing crews additional access to export and the domestic market made available by the Ecuadorian Government’s Acción Tiburón program.  

 

IMPLEMENTATION STATUS: Progress summary as of November 2022 (PDF)

 

Details
Iluminar el Mar: Combatting Fisheries Bycatch of Endangered Marine Species: A Pilot Project to Test Bycatch Reduction Technologies in the Ecuadorian Gillnet Fishing Fleets
  • Start Date
  • End Date
  • Innovator SafetyNet Technologies
  • OIC Financing
    246,509
  • Beneficiary Ecuador, UK
  • Category
    Private Sector
  • Focal Point
    Larissa Kunstel-Tabet
  • Small scale coastal fishers in Peru fixing the nets. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
    Small scale coastal fishers in Peru fixing the nets. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
  • Turtle saved from catch in Peru. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
    Turtle saved from catch in Peru. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
  • Life Delfi gill fisherman and SNT's Pisces. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
    Life Delfi gill fisherman and SNT's Pisces. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
  • Coastal fishers in Peru using gillnet. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies
    Coastal fishers in Peru using gillnet. Credit: SafetyNet Technologies