Decarbonisation of the fishing fleet in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

The DecarbonyT study addresses the urgent need to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in trawl fisheries operating in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, where energy costs represent a major driver of economic vulnerability and environmental impact. In the context of the European Green Deal and the EU objective of climate neutrality by 2050, the study focuses on short to medium term solutions that can be rapidly implemented within existing fleet structures, with particular emphasis on fishing gear technology and operational efficiency. The fastest gains come from reducing towing drag, the main driver of fuel burn in towed gears, delivering a win-win outcome: lower emissions through fuel savings and reduced seabed contact and friction, thereby mitigating physical impacts on benthic habitats. The study combined a complete review of existing research on fuel saving trawl gear technologies with quantitative analyses of fuel consumption and carbon emissions across fleets, gears, and geographical sub areas. Baselines of energy use were established using harmonised indicators derived from logbooks, fleet data, and onboard measurements. Building on this knowledge base, ten pilot studies were conducted across multiple Mediterranean and Black Sea GSAs, covering bottom otter trawls, beam trawls, and midwater trawls. These pilot studies tested a range of technological innovations, including lighter and semi pelagic trawl doors, alternative netting materials, optimised net designs, reduced drag configurations, and modified rigging strategies. Fuel consumption and gear performance were monitored using onboard instrumentation, allowing direct comparison between conventional and experimental gears under commercial fishing conditions. Results demonstrated that significant reductions of 15-20% in fuel consumption are achievable through relatively simple gear modifications, although the magnitude of savings varied among fisheries and areas. In some cases, short-term reductions in catch efficiency were observed, highlighting the importance of adaptation periods and fine tuning of gear designs. The technical findings were complemented by a socio-economic analysis, including stakeholder surveys and cost benefit assessments, to evaluate the economic feasibility of adopting low fuel intensity gears under different fuel price scenarios. Results indicate that fuel savings can offset investment costs over relatively short time horizons, particularly under conditions of high energy prices. Dissemination and stakeholder engagement were integral to the study, involving advisory councils, fishers’ organisations, and international scientific fora. Continuous dialogue ensured that study outputs were grounded in operational realities and aligned with policy needs.