Fishtek Marine

Finding a reliable way to reduce sea bird bycatch in set nets has proven to be elusive for decades. The publication of this paper with RSPB and Exeter Marine demonstrates that ‘Above Water Deterrents’ have extraordinary potential for reductions in the bycatch of guillemots and razorbills across their range. These are in the family of ‘pursuit diving’ seabirds that catch small fish underwater and are unable to see the monofilament in the nets. Bycatch of seabirds on a vessel-by-vessel basis is very rare, but once you scale it up you realise the extent of the problem – a review in 2024 (Ramirez et al) estimates 195,000 are caught in Europe with the common guillemot being the most affected. Fishtek Marine started working with the RSPB a decade ago to design and manufacture a device the became known as a Looming Eyes Buoy because eyes printed on a rotating head would appear to animate and 'loom'. The RSPB and Birdlife partners tested the device in Estonia in 2020 where it showed some strong potential with research published by Yann Rouxel. In 2023, we set up an experiment together with seven small-scale fishermen to test the Looming Eyes Buoy with funding from Defra's Fishing Industry Science Partnership and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. Adding a hawk-shaped kite to the experiment was not originally part of our plan, but it proved to have an edge on the Looming Eyes Buoy and it is this kite that we think has the most potential. The analysis and visualisation of complex data by Tom Horton and Matthew Horton are highlights of this paper for me. We have also gained valuable knowledge on how and when seabird bycatch take place, allowing us to target use strategically. There is more for us to do and learn and we need to be measured in how these devices are used. https://lnkd.in/eyDp6VwR Floating scarecrows: how Cornish fishers are stopping seabirds drowning in their nets | Fishing | The Guardian

Across the globe, rivers are a lifeline for some of the planet’s most extraordinary yet vulnerable wildlife. River dolphins face unique, localised pressures, with accidental gear entanglement remaining one of the primary threats to their survival. Protecting these species requires technical solutions grounded in strong, community-led collaboration. 🐬 Today on #WorldRiversDay, we celebrate the dedicated researchers and local communities around the world who share the same goals. RASI: Danielle Kreb of Yayasan Konservasi RASI approached Fishtek Marine to design a specialised, lower-intensity pinger for confined river waterways. The aim was to keep dolphins away from gillnets at a finer spatial scale, without displacing them from their wider feeding grounds. During trials with local fishermen, fish depredation by dolphins was reported in 27% of net sets. However, when pingers were fitted to the nets, this was reduced to 0%. Since 2022, incidental dolphin bycatch has fallen by 88%, a hugely encouraging result for this isolated population of ~80 dolphins! 👉 Their wider work: https://www.ykrasi.org/ WWF - Pakistan: Led by Uzma Khan & the wider WWF team, this project is helping to tackle the greatest threat facing the Indus River dolphin– accidental entanglement in fishing gear. Observed trials using our pingers showed that any displacement of dolphins was only temporary, an important finding for ensuring their responsible wider implementation while reducing bycatch risk. Fishermen also found that the application of pingers indirectly increased fish catches by 50%. This provides a direct benefit to fishing communities reliant on the Indus River and, importantly, creates a strong incentive for fishermen to maintain their long-term use. 👉 Their wider work: https://lnkd.in/ej7Usjzn A huge thank you to Yayasan Konservasi RASI, WWF - Pakistan and wider partners for your vital work in river conservation. 🩵 #RiverConservation #sustainablefisheries #bycatchmitigation #dolphinconservation

Earlier this month, our team were lucky enough to present at the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technology (SAFET) Conference 2026 in Cebu. The conference highlighted the range of technologies shaping the future of global fisheries, particularly advances in Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM), AI, and machine learning.   What became increasingly clear is the important role bycatch mitigation technologies will have within this evolving field. As REM and AI improve our ability to identify, quantify and understand bycatch interactions at scale, technologies such as #SharkGuard can help turn better data into practical action, actively reducing interactions and supporting both sustainable fisheries and marine conservation. #SustainabilityWithoutSacrifice 🦈   It was great to showcase our technologies and engage with so many organisations about how better monitoring and effective mitigation can work together to drive more sustainable fisheries.   A fantastic week, with plenty of exciting conversations had and now on-going! 🌊   Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Oceankind Sharks Pacific Inga Wise #SAFET2026 #BycatchMitigation #REM #AI #FisheriesTechnology #SustainableFisheries 

Developing effective conservation technology requires global scientific rigour. 🌍 We are proud to collaborate with leading universities and research organisations globally to evaluate, test, and refine our tech on the water. From long-term academic partnerships to specialised field trials across Europe and the Americas, robust data stays at the heart of everything we build. Swipe through to explore some of our ongoing global scientific collaborations. 🌊 University of Exeter Exeter Marine University of Plymouth Arizona State University SPOT Marine Life Marine Beacon Project SEA4Future #FisheriesManagement #FisheriesInnovation #FisheriesPartnerships #Fisheries #Sharkguard #MarineConservation #Netlight

Developing marine technology is tough. A shark deterrent technology designed for the commercial fishing industry needs to balance shark bycatch against target catch all whilst allowing fishing to continue unhindered. #SharkGuard MK.V represents a quantum leap in conservation engineering. The integration of induction charging has made vessel adoption feasible, with fast charging and seamless integration into commercial fishing operations. ⚡ At the end of 2025, we returned to New Caledonia�� the perfect testing ground for MK. V field tests with the assistance of Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie & Pescana. The results were clear: SharkGuard deters sharks, has no effect on tuna catch, and the integrated hook-bin did not impact day-to-day fishing operations. 🦈 A few teaks remain but we’ve unlocked the difficulty of reducing shark bycatch in long line fisheries and can provide the fishing industry, seafood corporates and marine managers a tool that delivers “sustainability without sacrifice”. 🌊 Stay tuned– we're almost there! 👈 Swipe to review the SharkGuard MK. V. Ben Sullivan Exeter Marine Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Innovate UK  The Fishmongers' Company Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Grant Course, Guy Pasco, Tom Horton, Brendan Godley, Phil Doherty #oceantech #marineconservation  #innovation  #fisheriestechnology  #fisheriesinnovation #bycatchreduction  #sustainableseafood  #fisheries  #sharks

Did you know global shark biomass has dropped by 71% since 1970 due to a 17-fold increase in fishing effort? 🦈 As such, scalable solutions are critical. #SharkGuard is poised to help reverse this trajectory– but real impact requires powerful collaboration across the industry from the fisheries themselves to seafood buyers and managers. It was a privilege to present our latest SharkGuard developments at the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technology (SAFET) Conference 2026 and highlight why scalable technology is vital for shifting global fisheries sustainability. #SustainabilityWithoutSacrifice Equally rewarding was connecting with so many new faces, partners, and innovators passionate about marine conservation. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to discuss our bycatch mitigation solutions and ambitions to make sustainable seafood a reality. Exciting conversations lie ahead! 🌊 If you are keen to discuss this with our team at SAFET, please reach out to either Robert Enever or Thomas Day Schmidt Foundation Sharks Pacific University of Exeter Arizona State University Inga Wise #OceanTech #FisheriesInnovation #MarineConservation #FisheriesManagement #SustainableSeafood #SharkConservation