Unwanted “waste bycatch” poses extinction
concerns and other environmental threats. 

Getting Smarter with Fishing Gear in East Africa

Among the issues facing both fisheries and environmentalists is the issue of bycatch. This incidental catch of non-target species, is among the greatest threats to the continued survival of a large number of marine species. For fisheries, bycatch comes at the price of livelihood by reducing the amount of profitable catch as well as wasted time and energy sorting and disposing.

Launched in 2004, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has addressed the bycatch problem with its International Smart Gear Competition. This competition provides $50,000 in prize money for innovative designs for environmentally-friendly fishing gear that allow fishermen and fisheries to better target their intended catch while safeguarding other sea life.

The Lemelson Foundation is currently supporting a regional WWF Smart Gear award in East Africa to promote solutions for local bycatch problems in countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. In addition to providing prize money for creative solutions, this grant also supports the winner in commercializing their innovative technology.  

				Biodiversity
www.wwf.org		www.smartgear.org