The main aim of the TICS-BONITO project is to support the bonito and tuna fishing sector by developing proposals for inshore and deep-sea fishing methods. To achieve this, the project focuses on two strands of work. For deep-sea fishing, it will focus on the biodegradability of fish aggregating devices (FADs). These devices can have a negative impact on the marine environment due to the durable plastic materials of which they are made. The project aims to develop devices made of non-entangling and biodegradable materials, which are also modular and sensorised.

In terms of inshore fishing gear, the project is to conduct a detailed study of the methods currently employed for live bait fishing with rods and reels or trolling, so that it can recommend automated aids and digital solutions that support and complement the current on-deck methods and enable the monitoring of parameters that are judged to be important.

In order to achieve these objectives, the project leaders believe that working closely with the fishing industry is essential, allowing it to share its knowledge and identify its specific needs, thereby helping to define the technical requirements of the project. This will ensure that the technological solutions proposed actually cater to the needs of the sector. Therefore, meetings have already been held with fishers’ associations, vessel owners and developers of on-board machinery to learn about the current situation in the sector. This will serve as the basis for future proposals.

• Leartiker (leader)
• University of Vigo

• Coordinating and monitoring the project
• Responsible for developing, manufacturing and validating fish aggregating devices.
• Development of materials and support in the mechanical design of automatic rods and reels.
• Reporting, dissemination and transfer of results.