This project will engage fixed and mobile gear fishermen to participate in gillnet gear redesign activities

Blue Planet Strategies LLC received a $191,853 Cooperative Agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Cooperative Research Program (CFDA 11.472), awarded July 1, 2025, with completion targeted for December 31, 2026. The project engages commercial fishermen from gillnet, lobster, and mobile fishing fleets in collaborative gear redesign activities to develop ropeless gillnet fishing technologies. Blue Planet Strategies, in partnership with leading ropeless gear manufacturers and engineers, will leverage fishermen's practical experience with existing ropeless gear systems to design new or improved ropeless gillnet configurations that enhance on-board operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The primary deliverables include innovative ropeless gillnet gear designs and related operational modifications developed through direct collaboration with active fishermen. This work aligns with NOAA's Cooperative Research Program mandate to advance marine resource management and sustainable fisheries practices by fostering partnerships between industry stakeholders and technical experts. The project contributes to broader federal objectives of reducing marine wildlife entanglement risks, particularly for protected species such as North Atlantic right whales, while maintaining the operational viability of commercial fishing operations in the New England region.

Blue planet strategies and engineers from leading ropeless gear manufacturers will work with fishermen representing gillnet, lobster, and mobile fleets. They plan to design ropeless gillnet gear based on the fishermens experience using or interacting with current ropeless gear. The result will be new or improved gear designs and related modifications to improve on-board operations with the ropeless gillnet gear.