The Fishing Nets workshop deals with the design, construction, testing and implementation of scientific fishing equipment for biological sampling, mainly trawl nets designed and built on the basis of specific needs highlighted by the various research projects.
Historically, the workshop premises have represented the landing point of innovative fishing tools and techniques from all the seas, before their introduction into the Italian fishing fleet.
Performed activities include:
– design of trawl nets using AutoCAD, Trawl Vision Designer;
– construction and implementation of trawl nets (pelagic and demersal), fixed-mouth fishing gear s(beam trawls, rapids and dredges) and gillnetting tools (pots, longlines, trellises, lines);
– construction and installation of BRDs (Bycatch Reduction Devices);
– measurement of mesh opening of mesh pieces with certified instrumentation (Omega mesh Gauge);
– design of alternative fishing systems, aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of the gear and the interaction with non-fished species.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
