An evaluation of the investment support for selective and predator-safe gears in Swedish fisheries
Within the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Swedish fishermen have the opportunity to apply for support to invest in selective fishing gears and gears that are robust to predators such as seals and cormorants. The purpose of the support is to stimulate investments in gears that reduce unwanted catch and results in positive environmental effects. For example, selective gears can reduce bycatches and reduce catches of small fish. However, it is not obvious that the support will lead to positive environmental effects, even if the gear itself is more selective. For this to happen, fishermen must replace the use of old and less selective gears.
In this project, Agrifood will analyze to what extent the investment support has increased the use of selective and predator-safe gears in Swedish fisheries. The study is commissioned by the Swedish Board of Agriculture and is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2020.
|