$15 million federal grant will fund fishing tech projects

A $15 million federal grant will fund innovative fishing technology projects in New England, according to a recent announcement. The grant, awarded by the U.S. National Science Foundation in late July, aims to help commercial fishermen catch healthier fish while boosting the region's seafood industry.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) will develop a "third eye" camera system that allows fishermen to see what enters their nets before hauling them onto the deck. This could minimize bycatch, or unwanted fish, and generate more revenue for fishermen. Additional funds will be used to create autonomous robots capable of detecting environmental conditions underwater that might result in lobsters with dead or dying lobsters in their traps.

The federal grant also seeks to address the decline of the seafood processing industry in New England. At least $500,000 will be allocated to "supply chain roadmapping" to analyze the extent of the region's processing industry decline and explore ways to revitalize it.