Reducing and managing bycatch

The objective is to build on the success of the 2002-2008 project with additional partners from the public and private sector, to broaden the number of participating countries and integrate BRDs into a wider management framework aimed at sustainable fishing practices.

	The issue – Current situation 15-20 million tonnes of bycatch caught by mixed-species shrimp trawlers 1.9 million tonnes of bycatch discarded annually from shrimp trawlers alone inadequate resource conservation and management practices habitat loss and degradation insufficient capacity to support existing fishing levels overexploitation threatening biodiversity and livelihoods
	Global solutions – What can be done foster public and private sector partnerships to reduce bycatch promote awareness of the need for sustainable fisheries management conduct pilot projects to develop/test bycatch reduction technologies create incentives to adopt responsible fishing practices
	Ongoing actions – Current responses Under the 2002-2008 FAO/GEF/UNEP bycatch reduction project* 12 countries implemented bycatch reduction technologies strong partnership established between industry and government bycatch reduction technology transferred between countries and regions bycatch mitigation measures incorporated into national legislation reduction of up to 65 percent of juvenile food fish in sea trials
	Taking it to the next level – What needs to be done raise international awareness to assess, monitor and mitigate bycatch problems expand activities and geographical coverage to manage bycatch and reduce discards develop and promote industry adoption of “Best Practice Guidelines” for fishing operations create legislation on responsible fishing practices