What happens when biodegradable fishing gear is put to the test in real-world conditions?
In this video, you’ll get an insight into the trials and research on biodegradable materials and fishing gear for fisheries and aquaculture, and what the results so far are beginning to tell us.
Watch the video
What happens when biodegradable fishing gear is put to the test in real-world conditions?
In this video, you’ll get an insight into the trials and research on biodegradable materials and fishing gear for fisheries and aquaculture, and what the results so far are beginning to tell us.
Watch the video
Dsolve study reveals accumulation of lost fishing gear in the Baltic Sea
A Dsolve research article estimates the amount of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in the Gulf of Riga and along coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. The findings show that thousands of nets and traps have accumulated over the last decade, underscoring the need for improved monitoring and clean-up operations to reduce ghost fishing and marine pollution.
Comparison of fishing performance of biodegradable and nylon gillnets with different twine diameter
A new research article from Dsolve evaluates biodegradable gillnets as an alternative to traditional nylon nets in commercial cod fisheries. The study shows that biodegradable nets can perform on par with nylon under certain conditions, while offering potential to reduce ghost fishing and marine plastic pollution. Further long-term testing is recommended to assess material performance.
New study estimates the extent of ghost fishing in the snow crab fishery
A new research article from Dsolve highlights the challenges of ghost fishing in the Barents Sea. The study shows that lost snow crab pots can continue catching crabs for several years, leading to significant ecological and economic losses. Estimates indicate a potential catch loss of up to 70 tons – representing more than 7 million NOK in value at current prices.
Escape gaps in snow crab pots can help reduce bycatch
In snow crab fisheries, size selection usually occurs through the mesh of the pots. However, commercial catches often contain small crabs. A new study from Dsolve shows that introducing escape gaps can improve gear performance by allowing more small crabs to escape.
New Dsolve study explores fishers’ willingness to adopt biodegradable fishing gear
Dsolve PhD student Huu-Luat Do has published a research article based on a survey among Norwegian fishers. The study shows that fishers are willing to adopt biodegradable gear when its efficiency matches conventional equipment, but that both collective action and policy support are crucial when efficiency is lower.
Dsolve PhD research presented on Croatian National TV
PhD student Dorian Vodopia was recently featured on Croatian national television. In the report, he shares his journey from his hometown Pula in Croatia to Tromsø, and how he researches the effects of abandoned and lost fishing gear on marine ecosystems. The TV feature has English subtitles.
Dsolve represented at The International Conference on Economics, Law and Government (ELG 2025)
At the conference, PhD student from UiT, Huu-Luat Do, presented recent work on ghost fishing and the voluntary adoption of biodegradable fishing gear, highlighting insights from the Dsolve project on addressing ALDFG in Norway. His talks focused on fishers’ strategic behavior and enforcement mechanisms in adopting biodegradable gear.
Fishers’ perceptions of biodegradable fishing gear adoption
Huu-Luat Do and Claire W. Armstrong from Dsolve was interviewed by sciencenorway.no earlier this summer about their recent article on fishers’ perceptions of biodegradable fishing gear adoption. – This is a great opportunity to communicate our findings to a broader audience and highlight the relevance of the work in Dsolve, says Huu-Luat.
Dsolve represented at Nordic Annual Environmental and Resource Economics (NAERE) Workshop
During the 2025 Nordic Annual Environmental and Resource Economics (NAERE) Workshop in June, PhD students Huu-Luat Do and Erik Johannesen Bakke held presentations during the event, representing Dsolve. Here you can read summaries of their presentations.
Studying ghost fishing in the Adriatic Sea
As part of his PhD, Dorian Vodopia has conducted a field study to better understand the impact of ghost fishing. The study introduces a new method for measuring ghost fishing and clearly shows the loss of both species and biomass. The study is done in collaboration with the University of Split, and is part of Research Area 3 in Dsolve.