Bycatch: Bridging the Gap Between the Fishing Community and Science for Sea Turtle Conservation

My project aims to revitalize the "Bycatch" app to address bycatch, focusing on loggerhead turtles in Catalonia. I am committed to engaging local fishermen through workshops and educational materials to encourage the use of the app, allowing them to report bycatch incidents and improve data quality. Additionally, I plan to create a public-facing platform to enhance transparency and increase public involvement. A key component will be analyzing the app’s effectiveness in collecting and using bycatch data, identifying areas for improvement. I am exploring the possibility of expanding the app nationally and even internationally to create a unified effort to reduce bycatch and protect marine biodiversity. My ultimate goal is to gather more accurate data, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and reduce the number of turtles unintentionally caught by fishermen. This initiative will be carried out in collaboration with local conservation organizations such as the CRAM Foundation and SEO BirdLife, as well as marine biology experts. I am fortunate to have the support of Meritxell Genovart, the app’s original creator, and researchers from CEAB-CSIC, who will help enhance the app’s functionality and ensure that the data we collect contributes meaningfully to conservation. The expected outcomes include increased app usage, higher-quality bycatch data, and stronger partnerships among all involved parties in Catalonia.