Design, development and deployment of a software platform for real-time reporting in the West of Scotland demersal fleet (FIS032): a study commissioned by Fisheries Innovation Scotland (FIS)

C. Tara Marshall*, Paul Macdonald, Eric Torgerson, Josephine Laryea Asare, Rachel Turner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

Abstract

In this report the term real-time reporting (RTR) refers to a semi-automated communication system used by a group of collaborating fishing vessels for the sharing of bycatch observations to identify areas having high probability of bycatch and alert fishers about the location of these areas. RTR has been used on the west coast in fisheries in Alaska and Pacific Northwest for over 20 years to successfully reduce bycatch. FIS011B had previously outlined the use of RTR in US fisheries and evaluated the potential for its application in Scottish fisheries. Following the full implementation of the Landing Obligation in January 2019 the demersal fishery on the west of Scotland (ICES VIa) was incentivised to adopt innovations that would be effective in reducing bycatch of cod and whiting both of which were at risk of being choke species. Buy-in from several west of Scotland fishers and the producer organisations they belonged to satisfied a necessary pre-condition for trialling RTR in Scottish waters. FIS032 was awarded to design, develop and deploy RTR software for the Scottish demersal fleet operating in the west of Scotland with co-funding from the Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation, Scottish White Fish Producers Association, Seafish and the University of Aberdeen. Several key operational features were co-designed by participating fishers to reflect their tolerance for sharing information including a request for spurdog to be included, in addition to cod and whiting.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationPitlochry
PublisherFisheries Innovation Scotland (FIS)
Commissioning bodyFisheries Innovation Scotland
Number of pages32
ISBN (Print)9781911123194
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2021

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