The GearingUp tool: the interactive tool helping fishermen find practical ways to reduce unwanted catch – launches in December
WHAT is 'GearingUp?':
Led by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and developed with fishermen, the Gearing Up project is launching an online tool that will give the industry simple and easy access to gear trials from across northern Europe. Gearing Up has been developed to help fishermen work towards a compliant fishing operation by full implementation of the Landing Obligation in 2019 by providing practical information on how to fish more selectively. The tool highlights gear modifications that can be made to a vessel and shows detailed results on their performance. The aim? To give fishermen the opportunity and guidance to make an informed decision about whether to use those modifications, or similar ideas, on their vessel in preparation for the Landing Obligation.
WHEN:
The tool will launch in December 2017
WHO:
Project lead - The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) – Cefas provides world class science for the marine and freshwater environment. The team at Cefas have been reading and extracting data and information from selectivity papers and reports on gear trials to populate the gear selectivity manual which is the basis of the GearingUp tool.
Mindfully Wired Communications (MWC) –A fisheries-focused communications organisation delivering and coordinating all the GearingUp communications activities.
Dewsign – The full service digital design consultancy creating the GearingUp tool and website.
Fishing into the Future (FITF) – An industry-led charity run for and by active fishermen seeking innovative solutions to delivering greater sustainability in fisheries around the UK. Jim Masters, FITF Executive Director helped to facilitate and organise industry workshops
The development of the tool wouldn’t have been possible without the support and advice of the fishing industry during targeted workshops and surveys.
More information: www.gearingup.eu