The Bycatch Avoidance Tool Using Mapping (BATmap)

A pioneering technological approach to reducing unwanted bycatch and discards. Skippers fishing on the west coast of Scotland are using an innovative by-catch avoidance tool, BATmap (Bycatch Avoidance Tool using Maps), to reduce catches of unwanted species and to improve catch efficiency.

The Issue

  • Demersal trawlers are associated with the highest by-catch of any fishing gear.
  • In a mixed fishery, different species inhabit the same fishing ground, making it difficult to target one species and avoid another.
  • The landing obligation was introduced between 2015 and 2019 for all commercial species managed by quota or minimum sizes.
  • This led to an issue in fisheries, where vessels legally had to stop fishing when their allowance for a single ‘choke’ quota species was reached.
  • Persecution could result if vessels continued to fish (can’t land / can’t discard quota species), which would subsequently close other fisheries prematurely, resulting in significant economic losses.
  • Two species within Scotland’s mixed fishery are currently deemed below safe biological limits and have been issued with ‘zero catch’ advice from the International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES), cod and whiting.

The Solution

  • BATmap, the Bycatch Avoidance Tool Using Mapping, is a digital tool co-designed by industry and science to help mitigate the bycatch choke species issue.
  • Using an app, Scottish skippers share real-time data with other skippers on the location of fish species and hotspots of choke species (i.e., cod) or species with conservation interest (i.e., spurdogs).
  • This real-time data element allows improvements of spatial avoidance and reduction of bycatch, as other skippers can make informed decisions about where they fish.

The Process

  • Scottish Skippers who experience an issue with cod or spurdog as a choke species in their fishery, can sign up to trial a demo version of this bespoke software system or register to start using the BATmap https://info.batmap.co.uk/#about-the-app
  • The app collects data from the participating vessels through the mobile app (can be used on iOS, android, tablet and desktops) and via a satellite network. Vessels are fitted with a Rockfleet position unit which operates similarly to existing VMS units, sending positions on hourly intervals.
  • Skippers report the start and end time of a haul, the location and the total catch of cod and spurdog in “real time”. When the bycatch of cod or spurdog reaches the set threshold (a figure decided through the co-design of the app), an automatic alert will be triggered and create a ‘hot spot’ which can be viewed on the map and avoided by other vessels
  • The alerts are displayed on a map with the location of the catch and the amount of bycatch. This real-time data allows other skippers to see where the bycatch hot spots are, and make informed decisions on where to continue fishing.
  • Catches are displayed on the map as a series of ‘hexabins’ (hexagon shaped grids) which are graded in colour to visualise areas of low and high bycatch. The user can choose to view their own catch maps or active high-catch alerts. In the catch view, only your recorded catches will be displayed on the map, skippers will not be able to see the catch of other vessels. All vessels participating will see hexbins detailing the location of the high catch alert, but no other detail about the vessel who activated it.
  • The app is being piloted on the west coast of Scotland mixed whitefish fishery. Participation is voluntary and limited to vessels fishing with a codend mesh size greater of 120mm or greater.
  • Would you like to hear more or find out how you could get involved and trial this technology on your vessel?
  • The app is still in the stages of development and feedback on functionality and other aspects is welcome. Feedback can be provided via the dedicated Whatsapp group or by email to batmap@scottishfishermen.co.uk

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