The Swedish Secretariat for Selective Fishing is based on close cooperation between the fishing industry and scientists where ideas from the fishermen are developed and scientifically evaluated. This ensures that the technologies developed are also used in practice.
The aim of the Swedish Secretariat for Selective Fishing is to gather new ideas from fishers and other industry stakeholders on how to avoid
unwanted catches, in response to the implementation of a landing obligation (discard ban) in EU waters. The industry´s initiative and engagement are crucial to the successful development of new ideas.
Project plans are worked out in close collaboration between fishers and scientists. Approved projects are funded by The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, SvAM. Involved fishers are guaranteed normal income during fishing operations,thus eliminating their economic risks.
A project has two main phases: a development phase in which fishers test and modify their prototype gear on their own, and an evaluation phase in which scientist study the effectiveness of the gear.
Project workflow:
- Mailbox/meetings for gathering ideas
- Development of project ideas
- Pre-evaluation and funding process
- Development phase
- Scientific evaluation and reporting
The Swedish Secretariat for Selective Fishing is a collaboration between Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) and the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Projects accomplished by the Selective Fisheries Secretariat 2014 - 2017
In close cooperation between the industry and scientist within the secretariat 32 project have been accomplished between 2014 and 2018 (Aqua report 2018:13):
Active fishery
Passive fishery
Report
Projects accomplished by the Selective Fisheries Secretariat 2014-2017: a synthesis report Aqua reports 2018:13
