FAO.org

REBYC stands for Reduction of Environmental Impact from Tropical Shrimp Trawling, through the Introduction of Bycatch Reduction Technologies and Change of Management.

This programme, co-funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), was designed with the objective of minimizing the capture and discard of unwanted catch and bycatch, and the impact of shrimp-trawling on bottom habitat. The first three REBYC projects were implemented between 2002 until 2022 in 18 countries focusing on bottom trawling, where bycatch issues are amongst the most serious, and may negatively affect ecosystems and therefore livelihoods. The current phase REBYC-III CLME+ project is being implemented to achieve further reduction of unwanted and incidental bycatch in fisheries of the Caribbean and Latin American region. Whilst previous projects focused on reducing unwanted bycatches in trawl fisheries, this project includes other fishing gears such as gillnets and longlines.  

Further information about previous REBYC projects is available on the following links:

• REBYC (2002–2008).

  Reduction of Environmental Impact from Tropical Shrimp Trawling through the Introduction of Bycatch Reduction Technologies and Change of Management. Achieved greater awareness, adoption of bycatch reduction devices, and improved trawl management. Participating countries were Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Bahrain, which is not eligible for GEF-funding, participated in some activities of the project.

• REBYC-II Coral Triangle Initiative (2011–2014)

  Strategies for Trawl Fisheries Bycatch Management. This project targeted Southeast Asia, helping countries to develop regional bycatch plans and improve stakeholder engagement. Participating countries were Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.

• REBYC-II Latin America and the Caribbean (2015–2020)

  Sustainable management of bycatch in Latin America and Caribbean trawl fisheries. Achieved reduced bycatch rates, new legislation, establishment of co-management bodies, and delivered regional training. Participating countries were Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. Selected as an example of good practice from the GEF project portfolio in 2020. A brief overview of the project is provided in brochure format for a summary of objectives and outcomes. Click here for more information on the REBYC Programme.