ICES-FAO Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour (WGFTFB)

<p dir="ltr">The Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour (WGFTFB) discusses and synthesizes recent research on topics related to fishing technology and fish behaviour in relation to commercial fishing and survey gears. The group provides guidance for management and industry, including, inter alia, gear selectivity, reducing the impacts of fishing on the environment, and innovative technologies for improving fishing and research operations. The working group is jointly supported by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which have fostered a fruitful working relationship in an international forum. WGFTFB supports FAO members and other ICES working groups and workshops, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and promotes collaboration, and provides expertise upon request on fishing technology and fish behaviour.</p><p dir="ltr">The 2025 annual meeting of WGFTFB was hosted by the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) of the National Research Council (CNR) in Mazara del Vallo, a city in the province of Trapani in southwestern Sicily, Italy. The meeting convened from 15-20 May at the Mahara Hotel with 121 participants from 15 ICES member countries and from 9 FAO (non-ICES) countries. In plenary, there were three Focus Sessions: gear switching, bottom contact, and research ”fails”; and 50 15-minute presentations on the topics of: catch welfare, animal behaviour, indicators, ALDFG/ pollution, multi-use, catchability, energy efficiency, innovative tools, human dimensions, and fish, mammal, and invertebrate selectivity. There were 20 posters displayed for the duration of the meeting, with time on May 15 for participants to discuss the posters with the authors. The Topic Groups (ALDFG, Indicators, and Multi-Use) met during parallel sessions for more in-depth small-group discussions.</p><p dir="ltr">The 2026 annual WGFTFB meeting with the FAO symposium was discussed and the dates were confirmed for 11-15 May in Cairns at the Crystalbrook Riley Hotel in Queensland, Australia.</p>