Life PROMETHEUS Organises Bycatch Mitigation Workshop at EEA Conference 2026

Life PROMETHEUS organised the workshop “Reducing Shark and Ray Bycatch: From Innovative Mitigation Tools to Fishery-Wide Implementation” within the European Elasmobranch Association Conference 2026. The workshop aimed to bring together researchers, fishers, conservation practitioners and managers involved in different bycatch mitigation initiatives to exchange experiences and identify best practices, successful approaches and common challenges. By comparing methodologies, results and lessons learned across projects, the workshop explored how promising solutions can move beyond experimental trials towards wider uptake, replication and integration into fisheries management. It also identified the research, policy, funding and stakeholder engagement needed to accelerate the adoption of effective and practical shark and ray bycatch mitigation measures. Unfortunately, bycatch remains one of the most significant threats to sharks and rays. A growing number of projects aim to reduce shark and ray bycatch. LIFE PROMETHEUS is an essential part of these efforts and focuses on reducing bycatch by using electromagnetic deterrents to prevent the accidental capture of these species and assessing their effectiveness, operational feasibility and potential for wider application. More than 45 participants listened to the valuable input of Carlo Cattano, from Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, speaking on behalf of Life PROMETHEUS for the different types of deterrents for shark and ray bycatch reduction and their effectiveness, Ibon Armendariz-Zuasti, from University of Padova, for the alternative uses of electromagnetic deterrents for elasmobranchs in recreational fishing and mussel farms, Pierluigi Carbonara, from Fondazione COISPA for the evidence-based mitigation options for reducing blue shark bycatch in Mediterranean pelagic longline fisheries and Jefferson Murua Fawcett, from AZTI Centro Tecnológico de Investigación Marina y Alimentaria, for the co-development of elasmobranch bycatch release devices for rapid and safe on-deck handling practices in tuna purse seiners.