FHF Wild Capture Fisheries R&D Program

Mackerel Bycatch Reduction in Herring Trawling (PIB)

Supports wild-capture fisheries in reducing mackerel bycatch through practical decision-support systems co-developed with commercial fleets.

FHF — Fiskeri- og havbruksnæringens forskningsfinansiering is a quasi-governmental Norwegian body funded entirely by a mandatory 0.3% levy on seafood exports, operating under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. This call, classified under FHF's PIB (Praktisk Innovasjons- og Bedriftsutvikling) instrument for applied innovation with direct industry benefit, allocates 6 million NOK to develop, test, and validate a decision-support system aimed at reducing mackerel bycatch in herring trawling (Norwegian: Utvikle, teste og validere et beslutningsstøttesystem for redusert makrellinnblanding i sildetråling). It carries the latest open deadline in the 2026 FHF snapshot at 9 July 2026, making it one of the few remaining active calls from this funder. Eligibility is open to for-profit companies, non-profits, universities, and research institutions based and operating in Norway; individuals may not apply. International teams must channel participation through a Norwegian lead that holds ID-porten portal access. The PIB instrument implies a close partnership structure between applicant organisations and commercial fisheries operators, with the resulting tool expected to reach practical fleet deployment. The call falls within FHF's pelagic sector program, which addresses vessel technology and industry operations alongside framework conditions for the pelagic fishing industry.