All Caught Up: Bycatch Engineering Challenge

All Caught Up: Bycatch Engineering Challenge

Overview

Design and build a net to target one specific species while also excluding others.

Highlights

Program Type: Lab

Program Duration: 1.25 Hours

Trip Season: Sept-June

Student Limit: Up to 20

Ocean Literacy Principle: #5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.

Trip Description

Bycatch is a serious problem for many marine fisheries. In this engineering challenge focused on fisheries and conservation, students learn about bycatch and then design fishing nets that will maximize catch of a target species while minimizing bycatch. We’ll test the nets in a fishing competition, then redesign them to improve performance. Discussion will include examples drawn from fisheries management.