Work is actively underway across all Marine Beacon work packages, conducting relevant analyses and improving our knowledge on many key PETS, while laying solid groundwork for the project's next phases.
The knowledge base being developed across the project has to date focused on better understanding where PETS occur across project case study areas, in addition to where they are most vulnerable and at risk to fishing pressures. A gap analysis has been conducted to identify which are data deficient and for which we are missing knowledge on their life-history parameters, essential for building a strong understanding of their vulnerability. A significant amount of work has then focused on the application and development of habitat suitability and species distribution modelling to map distributions of bycaught species. Building on this the project has adopted a suite of risk assessment methods and tools to provide risk maps for PETS, in addition to producing vulnerability status evaluations for species across eight major taxa groups.
Technological innovations with regard to the monitoring of PETS and the mitigation of bycatch, including imaging tools, the application of eDNA and smart trawl systems, are progressing toward field testing. This has included validating eDNA methods and identifying suitable sampling protocols relevant to appropriate fisheries. AI image detection technology has been tested and refined in laboratory settings prior to the development of integrated technology for use in real world fishing operations. Appropriate bycatch deterrent devices have been selected for use in testing, with smart technology acoustic pingers being used as a deterrent for Cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay, LED lights for pinnipeds in the Celtic Seas and LED lights and electric deterrents for Elasmobranchs in the Azores. With regard to the testing of technologies to mitigate against the capture of PETS work is underway with fishers operating in Greenlandic waters, and following a successful stakeholder workshop a grid to allow for the escape pf Greenland sharks from fishing nets has been developed for testing, with initial in water testing indicating this gear is now ready for a full scientific testing phase.
All of the outputs from across the project are feeding into work relevant to policy makers and fisheries managers, as well as the wider public and fisheries stakeholders. WP7 has been laying the groundwork to ultimately deliver two complementary decision support tools, which will support managers and policy makers to effectively protect PETS in European waters. While these final outputs require results and inputs from across Marine Beacon, efforts map the inputs required for these tools will ensure timely progress across the remainder of the project. Efforts have focused on developing the use of approaches to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures against bycatch and the EASIFISH risk assessment method has now been successfully applied in the High Seas and Azores case studies. The incorporation of knowledge from diverse sources will be vital to ensure outputs are of use, are applicable and are likely to be utilized beyond the project, ultimately contributing to healthier seas and more sustainable fisheries. The support of stakeholders in the design and development of mitigation tools and techniques requires constructive consultation and co-design and Marine Beacon has developed a state of the art discussion platform to place stakeholders form all regions and backgrounds at the center of the work of Marine Beacon.
