TIP-TOP. Measuring cod end dynamics to improve catch welfare in wild-capture, bottom-trawl fisheries
TIP-TOP: Testing Innovations in Potfisheries: Towards Optimal Pots
The TIP-TOP project aims to develop, optimise and test innovations for a pot fishery where we attract different species that are important to Belgian fishermen. Species that are investigated in the project are: North Sea crab (Cancer pagurus), sole (Solea solea), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and the saw-throated prawn (Palaemon serratus). The innovations developed here will contribute to the efforts to reduce by-catches and/or optimise commercial catches by developing an alternative fishery. In this way, the project optimally supports the sector in dealing with rising fuel prices, lower catches, changing ecosystems and reductions in fishing grounds. The most important thing is that the fleet will be able to diversify in a fragmented fishing landscape and can tap into new techniques to also have a fishery in Belgium in the future. This project falls within the framework of the Coastal Fleet vision that is being developed in the BAR Coastal Fleet project. With this we support a fishery in transition and develop an innovative and both ecologically and economically sustainable fishery of/for the future.
The TIP-TOP project aims to develop, optimise and test innovations for a pot fishery targeting sole (Solea solea) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). On this campaign, we collect plaice and sole that will be used for trials in a semi-natural habitat, where we will examine the response of the animals to lures such as scent. To get the animals in the best possible condition on deck, we will carry out short tows of about 15 minutes, until a sufficient number of animals are collected. The animals will be kept on board in survival tanks and after docking will be transported as soon as possible transported to the facilities at ILVO.
Fish welfare an important topic, both towards food quality and ethical treatment of the environment. To promote this, more knowledge of fish behaviour and the influence of fishing gear on it needs to be gathered. For this, the necessary sensors are often still lacking. On this sea voyage, the operation of the DTU Aqua accelerometer sensor will be tested to collect initial data that can help to set up a blueprint of analysis.
As part of the Marine Living Lab, footage will be collected to illustrate ILVO's operations at sea. The footage will consist of photos video footage and material taken with a drone. The Marine Living Lab aims for accelerated and sustainable innovation in the blue sectors.Concrete questions from those sectors are picked up and, together with suitable partners, developed into a tailor-made solution or project. To this end, the living lab has expertise and a broad network in fisheries, the marine environment, marine production, marine biotechnology and the blue economy in general.