Each year worldwide, more than 300,000 cetaceans become entangled, drown or are accidentally caught in different fishing gears. Preventing these incidents is essential to ensure sustainable fisheries, making it necessary to deploy effective technological solutions.
One of the strategies to avoid unintended catches is to prevent cetaceans from approaching vessels and becoming trapped in fishing nets. The most widely used systems are acoustic deterrent devices, which emit high-frequency sounds to warn and keep cetaceans away from fishing gear.
AZTI has demonstrated the high effectiveness of specific acoustic systems, which can reduce accidental cetacean captures by more than 90%, provided that the devices are correctly installed and properly maintained.
Sectors: Fisheries and aquaculture sector, Manufacturers of machinery and industrial equipment
Research lines: Blue Economy, Efficient, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, Environmental management of seas and coasts
Research sublines: Conservation and restoration of marine species and habitats, Fishery technologies, Sustainable fishery management