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Inspiring Innovation by Capitalizing Creativity. Bycatch: A Critical Threat To Marine Biodiversity. 2. © WWF-Canon / Hélène PETIT. Bycatch is largely avoidable. TEDs. Sonar pingers. Circle Hooks. “Smarter,” more selective fishing.
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TEDs Sonar pingers Circle Hooks “Smarter,” more selective fishing
Concept for Smart Gear competition arose during a WWF workshop designed to tackle issue of cetacean bycatch • Decided to use the concept to address wider issue of overall bycatch • Use competition to stimulate innovative thinking and demonstrate problem is solvable • Foster collaboration between science, industry and government • Use cash prizes as major incentive to attract entries on global basis.
To inspire innovative, practical, cost-effective ideas that allow fishermen to fish “smarter” – to better target their intended catch while reducing bycatch. Open to all: fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors. 2005: 50 entries from 16 countries 2006: 83 entries from 26 countries 2007: 70 entries from 22 countries 2009: 71 entries from 27 countries
Judging Criteria • Effectively reduces bycatch • Innovative • Practical • Cost-effective • Maintains target catch • Conservation impact
2007 Grand Prize Winner The EliminatorLaura Skrobe, Dave Beutel, Jim O’Grady, Philip Ruhle Sr., Philip Ruhle Jr., Jon Knight. USA 12
Advancing the Winning Ideas • All required trials completed. Fulfilled NOAA protocol for adoption. • Regulated for commercial use in August 2008, and now being used in northeastern U.S. fisheries. • More than a dozen now being used in the U.S. catching hundreds of thousands of pounds of haddock with little bycatch. Impetus is shift to catch shares. • Trials in the U.K. • Mandated as part of cod bycatch reduction measure in E.U.
2007 Runner-Up Prize Winner Nested Cylinder Bycatch Reduction Device Glenn Parsons, USA
Advancing the Winning Ideas • WWF working with Ocean Conservancy and NOAA Fisheries to assist with certification trials for Gulf of Mexico. • Trials to be conducted in mid 2010 • Exploring other fisheries who could benefit from this device.
2009 Grand Prize Winner The Underwater Baited HookIan Carlyle, Phillip Ashworth, Peter Ashworth Australia 16
Advancing the Winning Ideas • Mechanical trials conducted in Jan/Feb 2010 off Australia • Comparison trials planned for Uruguay, August 2010.
2009 Runner-Up Prize Winner The Batwing Otter BoardDavid Sterling Australia
Advancing the Winning Ideas • Trials planned in U.S. waters in late 2010. Compare bottom impact, net spread and fuel efficiency vs standard doors presently being used. • Results to be presented at Energy Use In Fisheries Symposium in November. • Flume tank testing to maximize potential of design to be undertaken in 2011.
2009 Runner-Up Prize Winner The HovercranInstitute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research Belgium 22
Advancing the Winning Ideas • WWF providing funding to assist with trials and advancement of devices • Work with winning ideas to get them to the stage where they can be used in commercial industry to address bycatch issues they were designed for. • Explore other fisheries who could benefit from these devices or ideas.