Shrimp fishing is a key part of Norwegian fisheries. In 2024, over 53 000 tonnes of shrimp were landed, worth 1.5 billion NOK. The Norwegian Seafood Council notes that low cod and haddock quotas have led fishers to used freed capacity for shrimp fishing.
A major challenge is the bycatch of juvenile fish. When bycatch levels are high, fishing areas are closed. To maintain access to certain areas, it is crucial to develop technology that reduces bycatch.
The LUXUS project aims to make shrimp fishing more sustainable by using light to influence the behaviour of both shrimp and bycatch.
Why is this important?
Using light in shrimp trawling can attract shrimp off the seabed and into the trawl, allowing the gear to be lifted from the bottom. Light can also reduce bycatch by guiding fish out of the trawl, and the effects may potentially reopen closed areas for shrimp fishing.
What will the project do?
Lerøy Havfisk, in collaboration with SINTEF Nordvest, will test light technology (e.g. Optitog) in commercial shrimp fisheries in Norwegian waters. The impact of light will be assessed in terms of bycatch levels, trawl time, and fuel consumption. Usability and safety aspects of the light systems will also be evaluated.
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