Insights from the Latest Clyde Fisheries Meeting: BATmap, Bycatch reporting, and Data Sharing
The BATmap team was invited to present at the Clyde Fishermen’s Association all-hands meeting on 28th September 2024 in Glasgow. The presentation focused on the current rollout of BATmap in the Nephrops fishery and next steps for the project to ensure a successful implementation over the long term. Discussions afterwards revealed a range of suggestions regarding use of the app, data sharing, and practical challenges.
A key concern raised during the meeting was whether third parties could access the data submitted through BATmap as skippers voiced apprehension about who might be able to see the information they report. Their fear of data being leaked or misused reflects the tension between the need for transparency in fisheries management and the skippers’ desire to protect their livelihood. Meeting attendees were assured that BATmap securely stores data and it is only accessible by the BATmap team. If industry data is required to support emergent issues regarding stock status, then the data are aggregated so that individual vessel information is not revealed. Users are also consulted about whether they want to disseminate the aggregated data.
While the BATmap app aims to streamline the reporting process, skippers in the Clyde often fish alone and are concerned about the time commitment entering data may take. Discussions focussed on ways to further adapt BATmap so that it can be used efficiently without impacting critical fishing time. It only takes a few minutes to enter data for each haul, but a few changes in the data entry protocol were suggested. Additionally, the option of entering data at the end of the day, rather than haul-by-haul, was discussed.
Another discussion centred on the current method for reporting skate bycatch in the app which currently requests uploading photos of the fish. Skippers aim to return skate to the sea as quickly as possible and may not have time to photograph skate catch on deck. There was widespread agreement that the process should be simplified, perhaps to just a “yes or no” option on whether skate were present, or a simple tally of the number of skate in the haul. This is a critical issue, as skippers are caught between reporting obligations and their desire to minimize handling time for vulnerable species like skate. A simpler, less time-consuming method could increase participation and improve data quality.
Trust in BATmap is growing and attendees perceived the northeast fishing community’s continued participation in BATmap as a sign of its credibility. Seeing other regions trust BATmap with their data builds confidence regarding the security of the software and the value of the dataset. Important next steps for the project include recruitment of additional participants and increasing reporting consistency. While there are challenges to overcome, the growing interest and trust in BATmap shows that many skippers are committed to sustainable practices and willing to adapt to new technologies that are transparent, fair, and practical.
