Under the acronym ILUMINA, the BIOCON group at the University Institute of the ULPGC is launching this scientific initiative, which aims to improve the sustainability of fishing activities by incorporating light-emitting devices that reduce the impact on elasmobranchs without significantly affecting the target species of fishing interest
By using this innovative technological solution, the research team, in collaboration with fishermen’s associations and fishermen from the Canary Islands, aims to prevent the incidental capture of at-risk species caused by the use of fishing gear such as the cazonal or the trasmallo, whilst at the same time strengthening the long-term viability of small-scale fishing
The ECOAQUA University Institute at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), through the Biodiversity and Conservation (BIOCON) group, has launched a project aimed at improving the sustainability of fishing activities by incorporating innovative technological solutions into fishing gear. Its objective is to assess the effect of incorporating light-emitting devices into these gear types on reducing the incidental catch of sharks and rays, without significantly affecting the species of fishing interest.
This scientific initiative, entitled ‘Study of the effectiveness of light-emitting devices in reducing elasmobranch bycatch in small-scale gillnet fisheries in the Canary Islands’ and known by the acronym ILUMINA, will be carried out in collaboration with the small-scale fishing sector of the Canary Islands, working alongside fishing associations and fishermen who use gear such as shark pots and trammel nets in different areas and at different times of the year.
Through this direct collaboration, experimental trials will be carried out under real fishing conditions, enabling an assessment of how the incorporation of light-emitting devices into these gear types can alter the behaviour of certain species and improve the selectivity of the fishing system.
The project, led by principal investigator José Juan Castro, will include detailed monitoring of catches obtained using different gear configurations, recording both target species and by-catches.
Specimen of a Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark. Photo by Felipe Ravina.
The resulting data will enable us to analyse the effectiveness of the proposed modifications in terms of reducing by-catch, fishing productivity and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, relevant biological data on the species caught will be obtained, which will help to improve scientific understanding of the interaction between fishing gear and marine fauna.
The sustainability of fisheries is one of the main challenges in the conservation of marine ecosystems and the responsible management of fishery resources.
A small-scale fishing vessel operating in Canary Islands waters.
Certain fishing gear, whilst essential for sound socio-economic development and the activity of many small-scale fleets, can result in by-catches of non-target species, including sharks and rays.
Challenges
These unwanted interactions pose a challenge both for the conservation of sensitive species and for improving the selectivity and efficiency of fishing gear. It is against this backdrop that the ILUMINA project has been designed; one of its key objectives is to generate applied scientific knowledge that will enable the development of practical recommendations for the fishing sector.
Based on the results obtained, best-practice protocols will be drawn up to improve the selectivity of the cazonal and trammel nets, thereby helping to minimise the impact on vulnerable species whilst strengthening the long-term viability of small-scale fisheries.
Specimen of a Spiny butterfly ray. Photo by Felipe Ravina.
Furthermore, the ILUMINA project includes knowledge transfer and dissemination activities aimed at the fishing sector, public authorities and society in general, with the aim of publicising its results, promoting the adoption of innovative solutions that improve the selectivity of fishing gear and reducing bycatches of vulnerable species.
In this way, the aim is to contribute to the generation of knowledge useful for fisheries management and to promote a more sustainable fishing industry that is compatible with the conservation of marine biodiversity.
This project forms part of the Pleamar 2025 programme and receives grants from the Fundación Biodiversidad, F.S.P., awarded on a competitive basis, to promote the blue economy and advance sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture, co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.