2018 - 2022
The incidental capture of non-target species such as marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and elasmobranchs is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity and to the profitability and sustainability of fisheries.
The Cyprus Bycatch Project is linking efforts across the island of Cyprus to increase knowledge on the occurrence of bycatch and identify and implement measures to reduce the impact of bycatch on vulnerable species. The project is engaging on policy frameworks related to bycatch, including community-based management of MPAs.
The project is closely coordinated with the regional MedBycatch project and works closely with fishing communities in the north and south of the island to raise awareness of this important issue and build support for actions to address it.
Objectives / results
-To increase knowledge on the occurrence of bycatch.
-To identify measures to reduce the impact of bycatch on vulnerable species and achieve reductions in the levels of bycatch in selected areas or fishing fleet segments.
-To engage in policy frameworks to ensure that they are supportive of measures to reduce bycatch.
- To raise awareness among coastal communities of the issue of bycatch and engage them in good practices to address it.