Achik: Light based bycatch reduction for developing nations

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Fishing crews the world over currently accidentally catch (roughly 1 in 5) non-target species (bycatch) during both industrial and artisanal fishing operations. Non-target species means juvenile, endangered or low-market-value fish species, megafauna (eg, turtles, rays and sharks), and birds. Unintended capture negatively impacts stock levels and biodiversity, disrupting marine ecosystems and food chains. Communities reliant on ocean protein to eat and sell are also disrupted, including the wives of fishermen, key to sales processes. Regulations to counter unsustainable fishing practices can also severely limit artisanal fishers' access to ocean protein, particularly if they cannot move to areas of greater fish abundance. This project aims to help Peruvian artisanal and subsistence fishers to fish more selectively, enabling better marine resource management. Outcomes could also influence the industrial fishing sector and other developing nations.This study will identify routes to adoption of light based bycatch reduction technologies in Peru, and the size of the market for them. Using a human centred design approach to engage with the fishers and wider stakeholders to understand their motivations and concerns with adopting such technologies. The outcomes will be a feasibility report and, if viable, a roadmap for a demonstrator project.Our technology can enable the artisanal fishing fleet to fish in a way that meets regulations and avoids non-target catch, while increasing yields of target species. Benefits of this approach include:Up to 25% revenue increaseImproved working conditions due to less fish sorting and less time at seaLess operational costs (fuel, damaged gear)Fishing crews pass increased economic prosperity onto dependent local communities. Environmental benefits are realised through reduced bycatch of non-target species, protecting biodiversity. Sustainably harvesting fish stocks offers huge social benefit, offering food security for the 20% of the growing global population reliant on fish as a primary protein source.This project focuses on SDG14, Life Below Water - maintaining a sustainable and biodiverse oceanic habitat.Target 1 to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, including dead marine species;Target 2 sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystemsTarget 4 to end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, by preventing the capture of non target species, allowing marine ecosystem replenishment.Target A transfer of our technology to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries.Target B providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources through sustainable harvesting.