A new trawl excluder designed to reduce the risk of catching endangered and protected species is being tested in Danish pelagic fisheries as part of the EU-funded CIBBRiNA project.
The device is being developed for herring and mackerel fisheries, with support from gear specialist Egersund Trawl DK. The aim is to reduce the bycatch of species such as sharks, rays, skates and seals while keeping the target fish in the net.
Initial sea trials were conducted in August 2025, but did not yield the expected results. Herring escaped through the exit opening, and the gear had to be removed after only two towing operations.
Design changes after early trial
Following the unsuccessful first trial, the partners reviewed the design and made several adjustments.
The original excluder used square mesh panels. Engineers later changed the structure to rectangular meshes. The goal was to prevent herring loss while still allowing larger protected animals to escape the trawl.
Controlled testing shows promising signs
The revised version was later tested under controlled conditions at the Flume Tank North Sea research facility.
Early indications from these tests are described as promising. New sea trials are planned in the herring fishery during May–June and again later in the autumn.
Cameras monitor behaviour inside the trawl
To document how the gear performs, several cameras are positioned inside the trawl at different locations during fishing operations.
Footage from each haul is analysed afterwards to determine whether protected species may have escaped. At the same time, target fish remain in the catch. The stated aim is to reduce bycatch without harming fishing efficiency.
The project is a collaboration between Danmarks Pelagiske Producentorganisation, Egersund Trawl DK and Havforskningsinstituttet, with funding from the EU’s CIBBRiNA programme.