MinouwApp

Web-based tool for bycatch and discard management in European fisheries

Developed under the EU-funded MINOUW project — "Science, Technology and Society Initiative to Minimise Unwanted Catches in European Fisheries"

🔗 Live Demo | 📄 Publication

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Overview

MinouwApp is an open-source, web-based digital logbook that allows fishers and researchers to record, map, and analyze spatial-temporal hotspots of unwanted catches. It was tested across seven European case studies in direct support of the EU landing obligation (discard ban).

The tool bridges the gap between field data collection and evidence-based fisheries governance — providing near real-time georeferenced data on where and when discarding occurs.

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Key Features

Feature	Description
Digital Logbook	Records GPS positions and catch data (target vs. unwanted species) via Android
Data Integration	Combines fisher-reported data with VMS/AIS vessel tracking
Spatial Analysis	Maps high-discard hotspots at regional scale
Participatory Design	Co-developed with fishers, scientists, NGOs, and policymakers
Open Platform	Publicly available for replication on future case studies

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Methodology

1. Field Data Collection — Android app recording GPS positions and catch data
2. Data Integration — Fisher-reported data merged with VMS/AIS vessel tracking
3. Spatial Analysis — Hotspot modelling using GAM and spatial statistics
4. Visualization — Interactive maps via Shiny + Leaflet
5. Governance Output — Evidence-based discard reduction strategies

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Scientific Context

This work constitutes a novel participatory framework in fisheries science — offering managers, fishermen, scientists, and the public a collaborative platform for designing discard-reduction strategies at regional level.

The architecture carefully balances three competing interests:

• Public scientific knowledge and open data
• Fishermen's intellectual property and confidentiality
• Regulatory compliance requirements

"Whether this information can be used in support of governance depends on whether short-term decisions are allowed, by providing georeferenced data on landings and discards in an almost real-time basis."

Publication: D'Andrea et al. (2020). The MINOUWApp: a web-based tool in support of by-catch and discards management. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08704-5

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Stack

R Shiny Leaflet PostgreSQL PostGIS Android

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Open Source

🔗 github.com/d-lorenz/minouwApp

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