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FISP projects: contracts awarded in round 4 of the scheme

Updated 17 July 2023

Organisations that have been awarded funding for contracts through FISP part B to carry out a research project.

The following project summaries were provided by the applicants.

1. SeaScope Fisheries Research Ltd

In partnership with:

• Fruits of the Sea
• University of Glasgow
• Marine Scotland Science

Name of project: Solway Cockle Survey

Amount of award: £288,972

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

The Solway cockle fishery closed in 2009 due to low stock levels primarily caused by overfishing. At its height in 1991, over 5,000 tonnes a year with a first-sale value today of over £5m, were harvested. The last full Solway cockle survey was undertaken over 7 years ago in 2015, and the stock is now considered a data-deficient stock. To improve data and inform fishery scientists and managers, the project will undertake two full stock surveys (2023 and 2024).

Action

The data will be collected in an identical way as previous surveys to allow Marine Scotland to complete accurate stock assessment calculations. These results will also be used to identify high-density beds (donor sites) and low-density beds (recipient sites) which can be used in a ‘re-laying trial’. This trial will evaluate whether moving cockles from densely populated to less dense areas, will improve growth rates, reduce density-dependent mortality rates, and improve spat settlement rates through reducing over-crowding. In addition, students from the University of Glasgow will undertake investigations into the effects of weather, environmental influences, sediments, and topography on the health of the local cockle stocks.

Expected outcome

These stock surveys and experimental trials will allow an accurate assessment of the state of the stocks to be made and the scientific trials data will be useful in cockle stock improvement and management schemes, in the future, both locally in the Solway and internationally.

Status

Ongoing.

2. University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd

In partnership with:

• Angling Trust
• Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities
• Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society
• Institute of Fisheries Management
• National Mullet Club
• Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

Name of project: A technology-enabled, industry co-developed approach to understand early juvenile fish habitat requirements

Amount of award: £530,790

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

To apply camera technology supporting public participation in collection of data on how fish use coastal and estuarine habitats at their earliest juvenile stage.

Action

We will deploy a ‘smart’ underwater camera system, capable of seeing the smallest juvenile life-stages of fish, in a range of inshore habitats. We will develop an interactive web-portal to support public participation in video analysis, and work with recreational anglers to measure species abundance and size of fish living in different habitat types.

Expected outcome

The data and approach developed will fill important knowledge gaps about the essential habitats required by populations of fished species. This information will bring benefits to fisheries by supporting policy decisions and management actions that make fisheries more sustainable through broader consideration of the ecosystems on which exploited populations depend. The project will also be a vehicle for the fishing industry, scientists and managers to work together to devise effective management, helping give the industry a voice and stake in management processes.

Status

Ongoing.

3. University of Portsmouth

In partnership with:

• Angling Spirit
• Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
• Navico Ltd

Name of project: Collecting biology, ecology, habitat and genetic data sampled from fish caught by citizen scientists

Amount of award: £569,361

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

For many UK target species, ecological and biological data to make evidence-based decisions are limited leading to unsustainable catches. Collecting these data requires significant investment (people and money) with one increasingly popular approach to use members of the public (citizen scientists). Sea fishing is a globally popular activity so recreational anglers are a substantial group of highly motivated and engaged potential citizen scientists. Our project will use the newly established annual sea angling competition located in the Solent to collect relevant data, test and then optimise the citizen science method to a secure a significant cost-effective methodology legacy.

Action

Targeting five data-poor species/groups used in the competition: sea bass, black sea bream, skates & rays, tope and smooth hound, we will utilise geolocated images of each fish caught (taken by the teams), perform targeted sampling (e.g. DNA swabs), track fish, and undertake sonar scans of the fished areas. Together, these will generate a unique dataset for each species on their:

• Fish biology (species identification, growth, disease condition, reproductive state).
• Ecology and habitat (spatial distribution, habitat utilisation).
• Genetic identification and reproductive isolation.

Expected outcome

Our project will:

• Generate long-term data essential to manage these five data-poor species/groups for more robust fisheries management plans and conservation.
• Improve future management of essential fish habitat areas to promote species recovery.
• Update UK species ID guides for those difficult to identify (e.g. skates & rays).
• Develop a standardised, cost-effective and self-sustaining data collection method that can be delivered at any UK sea angling event.

Status

Ongoing.

4. University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

In partnership with:

• The Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation
• Marine Environmental Solutions Limited
• Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation

Name of project: Data collection and research on the ling fishery

Amount of award: £220,931

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

Ling are a data deficient Category 3 stock caught within the mixed demersal fishery. Particularly in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) sub area 4. Seasonally high abundances, combined with recent reductions in Total Allowable Catch (TAC) are causing ling to be a choke species. The project aims to address some of the biological data gaps that have been identified, collect new fishing and catch data (via electronic App), to increase awareness and understanding around both recent historical exploitation and the quota management complexities and to develop a roadmap out of data deficiency for the species.

Action

The multi-action approach will include collection of biological data through observer coverage; piloting an electronic tallybook and real time reporting App (BATMap) with the Shetland fleet, while expanding its usage on the West of Scotland (area VI). The recent historical fishing patterns and catches will be analysed to better understand changes in distribution and exploitation. The impact of, and complexities around the quota management system and flex rules are reported to lead to restrictions on quota uptake. These will be documented and analysed along with predictive scenario mapping. A roadmap out of deficiency will quantify requirements for improved assessment.

Expected outcome

The actions will, through industry-science collaboration, improve the data and knowledge available for this data limited stock and will contribute to the FMP for the species.

Status

Ongoing.

5. Bangor University

In partnership with:

• Natural Resources Wales
• Welsh Fisherman’s Association

Name of project: Assessing bycatch of non-target species in Welsh static net fisheries

Amount of award: £364,169

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

Bycatch of non-target species in Welsh static net fisheries, particularly of protected, endangered and threatened species, is poorly understood. Current estimates are derived from UK-level observer programmes which are extrapolated more widely across each fishing metier and ICES Division. There is an urgent need to better understand bycatch rates in Welsh net fisheries at a higher resolution, to inform appropriate management measures in future fisheries management plans. This project will fill this knowledge gap by first characterising the Welsh static net fishery, assessing its interaction with different non-target species, and quantifying and characterising the level of bycatch.

Action

The research is a collaboration between Bangor University, Welsh Fishermen’s Association, and Natural Resources Wales. We will map the spatial and temporal distribution of the Welsh netting fishery, model its interaction with different non-target species to develop species risk maps, quantify bycatch rates through focused observer work, and characterise the nature of bycatch in net fisheries more broadly.

Expected outcome

The project will directly contribute to management of the Welsh static net fishery and will be applicable to other UK net fisheries. The benefits will be increased industry confidence in management and improved sustainability of net fisheries.

Status

Ongoing.

6. Fishtek Marine

In partnership with:

• 5 x Cornish set netters
• The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• University of Exeter
• Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
• SeaScope Fisheries Research Ltd

Name of project: Above-water deterrents: mitigating seabird bycatch in set net fisheries

Amount of award: £298,416

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

Bycatch in set net fisheries is a global conservation issue, costing the life of nearly 400,000 seabirds each year. Seabird bycatch in UK fisheries is poorly understood, but consistently described in the literature to occur frequently in set net fisheries and for species of conservation concern.

This project will assess the effectiveness of ‘above water deterrents’ (AWDs), novel technologies designed to act like above water ‘scare crows’ and deter seabirds from diving in close proximity to the nets and subsequently getting entangled. Pilot studies in the Baltic Sea showed a 45 to 53% reduction of seabirds near AWDs. That said, these trials were not conducted in an operational fishery and there is a need to understand if these findings could translate into reduced bycatch in an operational fishery.

Action

The inshore set netters will have cameras installed. Each vessel will test the effectiveness of the AWD at reducing seabird bycatch. All vessels will be equipped with onboard cameras and the footage will be analysed to (1) increase our understanding on UK seabird bycatch and seasonal trends, and (2) evaluate the potential of novel technologies at reducing the impact of fishing.

Expected outcome

The data collected will lead to a better understanding of UK seabird bycatch in these fisheries and inform on the effectiveness of the AWDs at reducing seabird bycatch. The results from the work will be published in the scientific press and disseminated widely to stakeholders within the UK fishing industry and beyond.

Status

Ongoing.

7. Heriot-Watt University

In partnership with:

• Bangor University
• AK & DM Morrison Ltd
• G & M Roberts Fishing Ltd
• Macduff Shellfish Ltd
• Deeside Marine Ltd
• South Western Fish Producers Organisation
• Western Fish Producers Organisation
• Welsh Fisherman’s Association
• Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Seafish

Name of project: The Environmental Assessment of Scallop Innovation Gear (EASIG) project

Amount of award: £781,978

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

The EASIG project aims to gather evidence for economically viable gear modifications that increase catch selectivity and reduce the environmental impacts associated with the spring-toothed Newhaven scallop dredge commonly used by the UK scallop fishery to catch king scallops (Pecten maximus).

Action

The EASIG project will assess the environmental impact and catch selectivity of three modified dredge designs relative to the conventional dredge at sea in a variety of realistic scallop fishing scenarios. Accurate data will be gathered on the retained catch and bycatch, catch selectivity, bycatch damage and survivability, seabed fauna damage and changes in seabed topography, and fuel consumption for (i) the N-Virodredge, (ii) the LISIG skid dredge, (iii) combination of N-Virodregde and LISIG skid dredge and (iv) the conventional Newhaven dredge during scientific field trials with fishermen. Comparison data on 85 mm versus 92 mm belly rings will also be collected to improve selectivity.

Expected outcome

Demonstrate effectiveness of deployment and measure the reduction in the volume of bycatch, the reduction in the damage to the seabed and the reduction in CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. This project strengthens the partnership between scientists and the fishing industry through participation in the design of the gear innovations and in the collection of scientific evidence during sea trials. Acceptance of the evidence will increase the speed of adoption by fishers and lead to a better scallop fishing standard and policies.

Status

Ongoing.

8. MarFishEco Fisheries Consultants

In partnership with:

• Andrew Mack, Bright Ray
• Peter Clark, Lily James
• Darren McClements, Golden Ray
• Ben Collier (Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation - NIFF, C/O ANIFPO)
• Dave Warwick (Seafish)

Name of project: Gear Trial Partnership Project (GTPP)

Amount of award: £835,723

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

The Gear Trial Partnership Project (GTPP) will robustly trial and make final conclusions on the performance of the two most promising Nephrops fishery gear modifications in the last 12 years – the inclined net grid and coverless trawl. These reportedly improve separation of Nephrops and fish and reduce fish bycatch and net fouling respectively. By working with industry, management and policy from day one, results from the two-year GTPP will feed directly into practical fisheries management through technical measure regulation to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the UK Nephrops fleet and the profitability of associated supply chains.

Action

The GTPP will trial the gears against their traditional counterparts during the spring and winter months across four locations (northern and southern North Sea, Scottish west coast and Irish Sea) over two years, to ensure the results of the GTPP are robust, replicable, and applicable across the UK Nephrops fleet. Each trial will consist of multiple trawls with both old and new gears, collecting abundance, length, weight and quality of the catch and bycatch data. Operational expenditure data will also be recorded to provide both an ecological and economic lens in the GTPP. The methods used will build on the work of the largest set of Nephrops gear trials undertaken and use a protocol designed and tested by AFBI (Agri-Food Biosciences Institue).

Expected outcome

Provide tangible, positive management and policy change based on robust scientific data, driven by industry-science collaboration to bring economic and ecological benefits to one of the UK’s most economically profitable fisheries.

Status

Ongoing.

9. University of Aberdeen

In partnership with:

• Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation
• Clyde Fishermen’s Trust
• Chordata LLC

Name of project: Data gathering to inform the Nephrops fleet on choke species in Western Scotland

Amount of award: £294,678

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

The Clyde Fishermen’s Association and Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation members make up a significant proportion of the inshore mobile vessels operating on the west coast of Scotland (WoS). The Nephrops fleet is eager to reduce bycatch of choke species through enhanced spatial selectivity. The aims of this project are: 1) gather data to inform the fleet on local abundance of choke species (e.g., cod, hake, spurdog) using real-time reporting (RTR) enabling avoidance of bycatch hotspots; and 2) rigorously assess the potential of RTR to change attitudes of fishers towards information sharing, improve spatial selectivity of fishing and reduce bycatch.

Action

Part A of the project will re-configure existing RTR software to be suitable for the WoS Nephrops fleet and roll it out to a sub-set of vessels who have volunteered to trial it at sea. Part B will determine the impacts of RTR on both the Nephrops fishers and fishery (attitudinal, spatial and bycatch rates) using MSc projects at the University of Aberdeen. Part C will undertake multi-media communications about the project to inform funders, project participants, the fishing industry and broader community about the potential of RTR to contribute to sustainable fishing.

Expected outcome

Assessing the effectiveness of RTR in reducing bycatch is a key goal in fisheries science but depends on having a broad range of highly resolved data. The collection of attitudinal, spatial and bycatch data undertaken in this project during the rollout of RTR in a new fishery will establish a baseline of information and analytical options that can be used to evaluate the utility of RTR for reducing bycatch and facilitate applications of RTR more widely.

Status

Ongoing.

10. University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd

In partnership with:

• Isles of Scilly IFCA
• Jof Hicks, Skipper

Name of project: Plastic Free Fishing

Amount of award: £109,960

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

Plastic Free Fishing will take an empirical approach to testing the use, value and applicability of potting for shellfish using natural materials. Following two years of development, the project will link research scientists with a fisherman on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly to determine whether these materials and designs have wider potential. The project will gather social and economic data to determine whether there is a market and willingness to pay; catch data to determine gear efficiency and ecological data to assess impacts on target species and the surrounding marine environment.

Action

1. Refine and test plastic free potting gear including pots, weights, swivels, ropes and marker buoys.
2. Record fishing data using plastic free and ‘standard’ fishing gear including bycatch and catch per unit effort.
3. Use cameras to record data on behaviour of target and associated species; movement of pots and their impact on seabed habitats.
4. Conduct a life-cycle analysis on the benefits and costs of using plastic free fishing gear.
5. Design and build a ‘micro museum and education centre’ about ghost fishing and lost fishing gear at the Old Lifeboat Station, St Agnes.

Expected outcome

1. A scientifically robust evidence base to: inform sustainable management of pot fisheries; improve understanding of willingness to pay, social and economic viability and ecological impacts of plastic free potting.
2. Communication of the problem of ghost fishing and lost fishing gear, together with practical solutions to a wide audience through website and visitor information.

Status

Ongoing.

11. University of Exeter

In partnership with:

• National Lobster Hatchery
• Various commercial fishermen from the Cornish lobster fishery fleet

Name of project: The Genetic Management of Lobster Releases (GEMALOR) project

Amount of award: £298,693

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

The genetic management of a species undergoing hatchery rearing has often been overlooked, such that the diversity of released juveniles is typically unrepresentative of wild stocks. Consequently, despite short-term increases in abundance, wild stocks subject to enhancement have frequently suffered longer-term erosions of genetic diversity, fitness and adaptability. The Genetic Management of Lobster Releases (GEMALOR) project will assess genetic diversity in hatchery-reared lobsters in both captive and wild environments, facilitating better management of broodstock and releases to ensure that hatchery enhancement safeguards the diversity of targeted wild stocks. This will maximise the benefits of hatchery stocking and improve sustainability in UK lobster fisheries.

Action

Using the National Lobster Hatchery’s state-of-the-art production facility, and new genomic methods at Exeter University, we will assess the genetic diversity of hatchery-reared lobsters, and will undertake sibling and parentage assignments to quantify the contributions of hatchery broodstock to juvenile release cohorts (GEMALOR-A) and the admixed fishery around release zones (GEMALOR-B). We will develop modified hatchery protocols and test their efficacy for hatchery juveniles destined for release.

Expected outcome

We anticipate discovering and quantifying signatures of bottlenecking (i.e. preferential survival of particular sibling cohorts) among communally-reared larvae and fishery release zones. By reducing survival biases in competitive rearing environments (i.e. pooling larvae by maternal size), we will increase the genetic diversity of release cohorts, thereby avoiding associated reductions in the long-term adaptive fitness of wild lobster stocks undergoing hatchery stocking.

Status

Ongoing.

12. University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd

In partnership with:

• Biome Algae Ltd
• Offshore Shellfish Ltd
• Scallop Ranch Ltd
• Shellfish Association of Great Britain

Supported by: the Marine Management Organisation, Devon & Severn IFCA, Natural England, The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust

Name of project: Ropes to Reefs

Amount of award: £871,940

Length of project: 22 months

Project aims

• Assess the ecosystem services and benefits of the UK’s first large-scale, offshore mussel farm that has been the focus of a comprehensive long-term ecological research monitoring programme.
• Assess the biodiversity and extent of essential fish habitat (EFH) that has been restored as a result of the farm, and the associated mobile species of both conservation and commercial value and its connectivity with a nearby MPA.
• Deliver essential evidence regarding the role of offshore aquaculture as a nature-based solution and inform fisheries management plans, the Mariculture Strategy, Biodiversity Net Gain, Sustainable Development Goals and Global Ocean Alliance targets.

Action

• Use cutting edge, cost-effective and non-destructive remote sampling techniques - an uncrewed Surface Vehicle with echosounder and multibeam, and ground truthing cameras deployed from local fishing boats to produce high resolution data on the presence, biodiversity and extent of EFH (mussel reef on seabed and water column) and associated mobile species.
• Track fishes and crustaceans using acoustic tags via the world’s first multi-farm (mussel, scallop, and seaweed) aquaculture telemetry network and the wider FISH INTEL network.

Expected outcome

• Ensure uptake of this world-leading research and evidence into new policy and management by disseminating findings directly to local and national government and managers, conservation bodies and the public.
• Disseminate research outputs through a series of workshops, meetings and webinars, presentations at conferences, and publication in a peer-reviewed journal and report.
• Inform new perceptions, policies and management for offshore aquaculture, promoting UK blue industry sustainable growth that optimises ecosystem services and benefits, promoting sustainable fisheries management.

Status

Ongoing.