A $US 57,500 prize fund is on offer for the best new fishing gears designed to reduce bycatch in the fourth International Smart Gear Competition, launched by WWF.
The Smart Gear Competition seeks real-world fishing solutions that allow fishermen to fish 'smarter' - better targeting their intended catch while safeguarding birds, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life from being unintentionally caught.
Last year's grand prize winners were a team of US inventors from Rhode Island, who designed fishing gear to capture haddock while reducing the accidental netting of other marine species, such as North Atlantic cod.
The competition is open to eligible entrants from any profession, including fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors.
As well as the $30,000 grand prize there will also be two $10,000 runner-up prizes and a special $7,500 East-African Marine Eco-Regional Prize for entries specifically addressing serious bycatch issues in coastal East Africa.
The competition ends on 30 June 2009.
