About the Contest

WWF's International Smart Gear Competition, first held in 2005, brings together the fishing industry, research institutes, universities, and government, to inspire and reward practical, innovative fishing gear designs that reduce bycatch - the accidental catch and related deaths of sea turtles, birds, marine mammals, cetaceans and non-target fish species in fishing gear such as longlines and nets.

This most pressing threat to marine life requires a wide-ranging, multidisciplinary response, and WWF believes the Smart Gear competition will help catalyze that response by encouraging creative thinkers everywhere to share their ideas. Applicants are asked to submit their ideas for modified fishing gears and procedures that increase selectivity for target fish species and reduce bycatch for other species. The competition is open to eligible entrants from any background, and entrants have included gear technologists, fishermen, engineers, chemists, and inventors.

In 2006, more than 80 entries were received from 26 countries. An international panel made up of gear technologists, fisheries experts, representatives of the seafood industry, fishermen, scientists, researchers and conservationists judged these entries. The judges were guided by the following criteria:

• Does it reduce bycatch of nontarget fish and other species, especially vulnerable and/or endangered species?
• Is the idea innovative and original?
• Is the idea practical and is the idea easy to use?
• Is the idea cost-effective?
• Will it allow fishermen to maintain or increase profitability?
• Could the idea actually be developed?