Scientific publications

Ostmann et al, 2026

Baseline studies on meiofauna in the Baltic Sea before bottom-trawl fisheries exclusion III: comparison of communities in the Oderbank (eastern Baltic Sea), with special reference to the Harpacticoida (Crustacea, Copepoda)

Ostmann et al. (2026) established a baseline assessment of meiofaunal communities in the Oderbank area of the Baltic Sea before the planned exclusion of mobile bottom-trawl fisheries from a marine protected area. Comparing sites inside and outside the future closure area, the study found no significant differences in overall meiofaunal community composition, abundance, or diversity, although some differences were detected in harpacticoid copepod species composition. The results provide an important reference point for future monitoring and evaluating the ecological effects of fisheries management measures. Link

Hiddink et al, 2026

Quantifying the impact of bottom trawling on Greenland’s seabed ecosystems

Hiddink et al. (2026) assessed the impact of bottom trawling on Greenland’s seabed ecosystems and found that fishing activity was highly spatially concentrated, with 83% of 1 km² grid cells remaining untrawled. While many Greenland seabed habitats were estimated to be relatively sensitive to bottom trawling, the overall impact was limited due to the low average swept area ratio (SAR) compared with more intensively fished regions elsewhere in the world. The study highlights how the combination of low fishing pressure and patchy trawling distribution can help reduce ecosystem-wide impacts while supporting sustainable fishing activity. Link

Strietman & Wurz (2026)

Ecologically informed decision-making for ghost nets from shipwrecks and the seabed in the North Sea and Adriatic Sea using scuba diving

Strietman, W. J., E. Wurz, 2026. Ecologically informed decision-making for ghost nets from shipwrecks and the seabed in the North Sea and Adriatic Sea using scuba diving Wageningen Strietman & Wurz (2026) explored how to make informed decisions on whether ghost nets attached to shipwrecks and seabed habitats should be removed or left in place. Through pilot studies in the North Sea and Adriatic Sea, the authors found that ghost nets do not have a uniform impact: gillnets often continue to pose risks through entanglement and ghost fishing, while trawl nets may, over time, become integrated into seabed habitats and support marine life. The study proposes a decision-making framework that balances the benefits of net removal against the ecological value that some abandoned gear may acquire, supporting more effective and ecologically informed management of marine debris.

Eichert et al, 2026

Increasing soak time improves size selection and harvesting patterns in common whelk (Buccinum undatum) pot fisheries

Eichert et al, 2026, Increasing soak time improves size selection and harvesting patterns in common whelk (Buccinum undatum) pot fisheries Springer Nature Eichert et al. (2026) investigated how soak time affects size selectivity in common whelk pot fisheries and found that longer soak times significantly improve the escape of undersized individuals. Extending soak time from 18 to 46 hours increased the proportion of legally sized whelks retained from 75% to 97%, demonstrating how simple adjustments to fishing practices can enhance selectivity and support sustainable harvesting.

Rodriguez-Basalo et al, 2026,

Prioritizing conservation areas in marine management planning: An approach integrating fisheries economic data

Rodriguez-Basalo et al, 2026, Prioritizing conservation areas in marine management planning - An approach integrating fisheries economic data ScienceDirect Rodríguez-Basalo et al. (2026) developed a marine spatial planning approach that integrates fisheries economic data into the identification of conservation priority areas. The study shows that incorporating information on fishing activity and economic value can help design conservation measures that achieve biodiversity objectives while minimizing impacts on fishing communities, supporting more balanced and effective marine management decisions.

Ambrosio et al, 2026,

Bycatch reduction in shrimp trawl fisheries using a modified net design

Ambrosio et al, 2026, Bycatch reduction in shrimp trawl fisheries using a modified net design OJS Travezaño Ambrosio et al. (2026) evaluated a modified shrimp trawl net, characterized by its different material, exclusion areas and larger mesh sizes compared to traditional net, in the northern Peruvian fishery and found that it reduced bycatch by more than 35% and discards by around 50%, while maintaining catches of the target shrimp species. The study highlights how simple gear innovations can improve trawl selectivity and reduce environmental impacts without compromising fishing performance.

Easton et al, 2026

Evaluation of Catch Performance and Environmental Impact of Technical Gear Modifications for a More Sustainable Scallop Dredging Fishery

Easton et al, 2026, Evaluation of Catch Performance and Environmental Impact of Technical Gear Modifications for a More Sustainable Scallop Dredging Fisher WILEY Easton et al. (2026) assessed 4 innovative scallop dredge designs in the UK scallop fishing sector and found that combining N-Viro dredges with skid belly bags could reduce fuel consumption by around 30%, lowered seabed impact by up to 55%, and reduced catches of undersized scallops and stones, while maintaining commercial scallop catches. The study demonstrates that gear innovations can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of scallop dredging without compromising fishing efficiency.

Horton et al, 2025

Effects of illumination and pot design on catch and bycatch when targeting northern shrimp (pandalus borealis) using white LED PotLights

Horton et al (2025) Effects of illumination and pot design on catch and bycatch when targeting northern shrimp (pandalus borealis) using white LED PotLights ScienceDirect This study explores whether white LED lights and modified pot designs can improve catches of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) while reducing bycatch. The results indicate that illuminated pots can increase shrimp catches, but they also revealed important drawbacks, including a strong increase in juvenile poor cod bycatch (around 88% higher catch rates across pot types) and a significant reduction in Norway lobster catches (about 48% lower catch rates). Furthermore, the fishing capacity of pots remains much lower than that of active mobile gears such as bottom trawls used in commercial shrimp fisheries. As a result, while LED pots may improve the performance of passive gear, they are not currently a practical alternative to mobile bottom fishing gear for maintaining production levels, and further research would be needed to evaluate their viability at commercial scale.

McLaverty et al, 2026

The relative effects of bottom trawling, organic enrichment, and natural environmental factors on coastal seabed communities

McLaverty et al (2026) The relative effects of bottom trawling, organic enrichment, and natural environmental factors on coastal seabed communities ScienceDirect This study examines the relative effects of bottom trawling, organic enrichment, and natural environmental factors on coastal seabed communities. The results show that natural environmental conditions and organic enrichment—such as nutrient inputs and sediment characteristics—play a stronger role in shaping benthic communities than bottom trawling in the areas studied. While trawling can influence seabed ecosystems, its effects were generally smaller compared with broader environmental drivers. The authors conclude that multiple factors interact to determine the condition of seabed communities, and that understanding these combined pressures is essential for effective ecosystem management. The study highlights that natural variability and land-based influences can have equal or greater effects than fishing disturbance, suggesting that seabed management should consider the full range of environmental pressures rather than focusing on a single activity.

Nunez-Sanchez et al, 2026

Are there sufficient incentives to decarbonize the trawl fleet in the EU

Nunez-Sanchez et al (2026) Are there sufficient incentives to decarbonize the trawl fleet in the EU ScienceDirect This study assesses whether the EU trawl fleet can decarbonize while remaining economically viable. It finds that profit margins are generally low and highly dependent on fuel costs, meaning many vessels would struggle to absorb additional costs such as fuel taxes or environmental costs under current conditions. As a result, the fleet cannot internalize these costs without significant improvements in energy efficiency. The authors estimate that around €969 million would be needed to upgrade about 2,960 trawlers to improve efficiency and support a transition to low- or zero-emission fuels. However, the study also highlights that current EU fleet capacity ceiling rules limit the possibility of adopting alternative fuels, as new fuel systems require additional onboard space and tonnage. The authors therefore argue that regulatory flexibility, together with public support and targeted subsidies, would be necessary to enable the transition.