Consultancy Opportunity: Developing Alternatives to Gillnet Fisheries

Globally it is estimated that 300,000 cetaceans are caught incidentally in fishing gear each year. Different gear types represent varying threats for different cetacean species.

One of the gear types that causes most problems for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phoconea) and other species is gill net fishing. The aim of this review is to provide information to support advocacy work that will encourage a shift of gear in fisheries where high harbour porpoise bycatch is recognised, demonstrating how this contributes to sustainable fisheries management, including linkages with the effective management of UK harbour porpoise cSACs.

WWF UK is seeking to appoint a suitably experienced consultant or research partner to produce a compelling and well evidenced report for external publication. The report should deliver a workable vision for managers and fishermen as to whether a shift of gear can be achieved and if so how, and what the implications would be for the fishery.

It should also outline the benefits, and any possible concerns that would be associated with such a shift. For more information about this opportunity and instructions for responding to this notice, please refer to the attached Terms of Reference Document.