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The ECOFISH 4.0. its main objective is to promote the implementation of a comprehensive management system for waste, garbage and discards with the fishing sector to improve the conservation status of the SPA of the Gulf of Cadiz, consolidating innovative aspects related to the circular economy (reuse and recovery of fishing by-products).

The specific objectives of the ECOFISH 4.0 Project are:

1. Reinforce the equipment infrastructures in the fishing port of the Sanlúcar de Barrameda fish market (Bonanza) and have a comprehensive management plan for waste, garbage and discards.
2. To encourage and promote the recycling of waste generated in port and from ships, reinforcing the participation of all the agents involved.
3. Involve the sector of the Gulf of Cadiz in the monitoring of the interactions between fishing activities and biodiversity, promoting self-management by the sector.
4. Promote the landing of fishing discards and consolidate the sustainable management and recovery of the same in the trawl fleet of the Gulf of Cadiz.
5. To inform and raise awareness among the fishing sector and society in general of the need to develop measures to improve the environmental status of the SPA of the Gulf of Cadiz.

Specific Objective 1. To strengthen the equipment infrastructures in the fishing port of the fish market of Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Bonanza) and to have a comprehensive management plan for waste, rubbish and discards

The analysis and inventory of existing infrastructures and equipment, both in the fishing port of Sanlúcar and in the fish market, has made it possible to identify the different equipment, equipment and containers available as well as other data such as, for example, their position in the fishing port. Thus, based on this analysis, it has been possible to draw up a Comprehensive Management Plan for marine waste and litter in the port of Sanlúcar.

Specific Objective 2. To promote and promote the recycling of waste generated in port and from ships, reinforcing the participation of all the agents involved

Two quick guides of good practices in garbage and waste management have been designed and distributed, both in port and on board, so that the agents involved participate and become aware of this management work.

Specific Objective 3. Involve the sector of the Gulf of Cadiz in the monitoring of the interactions between fishing activities and biodiversity, promoting self-management by the sector.

ECOFISH 4.0 has made it possible to continue studying the role of fishing vessels in feeding seabirds through the production of fishing discards (mainly in the trawl fleet), corroborating the very limited impact that the different professional fishing gears have on the accidental capture of birds, sea turtles and cetaceans.

Specific Objective 4. Promote the landing of fishing discards and consolidate the sustainable management and recovery of the same in the trawl fleet of the Gulf of Cadiz.

The continuation of the analysis of discards of the trawl fishery has made it possible to advance in the analysis and description of the composition and structure of the discard through shipments made with both the professional fleet of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and that of Puerto de Santa María. In this way, by creating a collection of specimens from the discard, in the future it will be possible to carry out different awareness-raising activities.

The availability of discards allowed us to expand our knowledge in the development of this type of product from the most discarded species in the Gulf of Cadiz (discards, horse mackerel, mackerel and anchovy) using different ingredients and proportions of these (fresh algae, low-sodium salt and invertebrates). The analysis of the capacity of the vessels of the trawl fleet of Sanlúcar de Barrameda to manage discards on board has made it possible to propose a design for the stowage of these according to the typology of the professional fleet, encouraging their unloading.

Specific Objective 5. To inform and raise awareness among the fishing sector and society in general of the need to develop measures to improve the environmental status of the SPA of the Gulf of Cadiz

The communication actions (talks, activities, dissemination days and delivery of merchandising) have made it possible to publicise the main objectives of the ECOFISH 4.0 project within the educational, scientific and social fields. That is why it is estimated that it has managed to raise awareness among the population linked to the territory in which the project has been developed.