The goal of this multi-year project is to reduce bycatch mortality of aquatic species at risk, including Northern wolffish, Spotted wolffish, Atlantic wolffish, Leatherback sea turtles, and North Atlantic right whales along the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and the Labrador Straits, and Atlantic salmon on the South Coast of Newfoundland.
Targeting threats caused by fishing interactions, namely gear entanglement and ingestion of plastic waste, the project engages approximately 350 harvesters from small-boat fisheries, primarily targeting crab, cod, lobster, and halibut, across 100 ports through dockside dialogues. Additional stakeholders include fisheries, community leaders, Indigenous communities, and conservation organizations.
The project is funded with a multi-year contribution from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
