MedBycatch 2- Understanding Mediterranean multi-taxa bycatch of vulnerable species and testing mitigation

Based on the experience gained in Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey during phase 1 (2017-2020), the Medbycatch 2 will expand the geographical scope of the project to include Croatia and Italy. France and Spain will also be included in policy and advocacy activities.

The first project of this kind following a multi-taxa approach

Bycatch (e.g. the incidental catch) of vulnerable species in fishing gear remains a key conservation issue in the Mediterranean for a number of taxonomic groups, including marine mammals, sharks and rays, seabirds, sea turtles and corals and sponges. Bycatch not only poses a threat to Mediterranean marine biodiversity, but it also affects fishers’ livelihoods, as it can cause serious damages to fishing gear.

Traditionally, data collection on bycatch of vulnerable species has been carried out using varying protocols at different geographic scales across the Mediterranean Sea. The absence of systematic reporting has made data comparison difficult. Moreover, we lack an overview of the importance of this issue across fishing practices and species at a regional level.

Medbycatch 2 will build on the momentum and relationships developed with decision-makers during Phase 1 to focus on:

Conducting trials of technical solutions/mitigation measures that are effective in reducing the impact of bycatch on vulnerable species.
Informing and supporting the development of policies related to the bycatch of vulnerable species at national and regional level (e.g. European and Mediterranean).
Building capacities and supporting fishers to apply measures to tackler bycatch of vulnerable species.

Objective

The main goals of this second phase are:

Identifying and demonstrating the effectiveness and viability of technical solutions/mitigation measures that can reduce the impact of bycatch on vulnerable species.
Promoting proposals of measures tackling the bycatch of vulnerable species for further adoption in Mediterranean countries.
Improving the characterisation of the bycatch of vulnerable species in the target fleet segments in target countries.
Increasing awareness on bycatch of vulnerable species and build support for actions to address this issue.
Promoting the MedBycatch approach, deliverables and results and facilitate replication across the Mediterranean.

Medbycatch 2 intends to contribute to the achievement of the marine conservation objectives of the Barcelona Convention, as well as the ones of the Mediterranean Fisheries Strategy of GFCM. Furthermore, it will contribute to reduce the number of species on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.

The role of IUCN-Med

In this phase, the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation will continue to assist the implementation of activities with support on technical aspects, Communications and policy-making.

Events with experts will be organised to bring forward knowledge and enable the exchange of experiences across the regional seas and the Mediterranean with other initiatives working on the same topic. In addition, Mediterranean and IUCN Commission experts will support the implementation of specific needs in the project and the scientific committee.

IUCN-Med will enhance coordination and networking with other existing initiatives and partners in the Mediterranean on bycatch monitoring and mitigation on different taxa. A network for shark and ray conservation will continue to be developed, aiming to facilitate the exchange and scaling-up with Mediterranean sharks experts.

The development of strategies and policies for bycatch mitigation will be also an important component where we will continue our work:

Facilitating discussions and participating in national and regional decision-making fora
Prepare national and regional policies and regulations in coordination with other partners to reduce bycatch-fishing operations.
Organise meetings with the fishing industry, with the goal of ensuring the continuity of mitigation programmes.