NatureScot Research Report 1268 - Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA) - understanding the scale and impacts of marine animal entanglement in the Scottish creel fishery.
Abstract
This report demonstrates an EMFF funded, two-year duration project that sought to assess the extent, scale and impact of marine animal entanglements in creel fishing gear from an animal welfare, conservation and industry perspective. The findings of this research have demonstrated that, throughout all Scottish waters, marine animal entanglement is more prevalent, and impacts a wider range of species, than previously thought. There is, however, a significant drive to address the issue from the creel fishing industry and therefore opportunity to develop practical and sustainable solutions to this problem.