Sustainable fishing gear development and innovation

Problem addressed

Although traditional fishing methods are effective, they can result in discards, the accidental capture of vulnerable species and negative impacts on marine ecosystems. This poses challenges for the sector in terms of regulatory compliance, public perception and profitability.

What we do and how we do it

• We develop prototypes of innovative fishing gear tailored to each type of fishery.
• We test and evaluate solutions during real fishing campaigns using scientifically validated methodologies.
• We integrate digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, automated species classification and operational forecasting, to improve selectivity and efficiency.
• We work directly with vessel owners and crews throughout the design and validation process, ensuring that the solutions are practical and suitable for real-world use.

Key benefits

• Reduced discards and bycatch.
• Compliance with European selectivity and sustainability regulations.
• Greater fishing efficiency and more effective use of resources.
• Reduced impacts on marine ecosystems.
• Transfer of ready-to-use solutions to the fishing fleet.