The event will be organized as a two-day programme combining a scientific workshop with the practical demonstration of the solutions developed within the scope of the project.
The final event of the European project NETTAG+ will take place on April 14 and 15, 2026, in Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, two important fishing communities in Northern Portugal.
Its main objective is to present and demonstrate the technological and social solutions developed throughout the project to prevent, avoid, and mitigate the impacts of lost fishing gear and marine litter associated with fishing activities.
The event also aims to promote knowledge sharing and dialogue among researchers, policymakers, representatives of the fisheries sector, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration, the exchange of experiences, and the creation of synergies that support the adoption and replication of the solutions developed beyond the project’s duration.
The scientific workshop will take place at the Vila do Conde Municipal Auditorium and will bring together NETTAG+ researchers and invited participants from other European projects working on marine litter, who are also developing measures to tackle this issue.
The demonstration event will take place at the headquarters of APMSHM, in Póvoa de Varzim, and will focus on the practical demonstration of the solutions developed within the NETTAG+ project, namely:
• Onshore demonstrations, including the presentation and explanation of the technological and social solutions developed by NETTAG+, as well as other relevant project outcomes, such as educational tools, a virtual reality experience, and policy briefs.
• Demonstrations on board a fishing vessel, showcasing the technological solutions, namely acoustic tags and robotic systems for the rapid location and retrieval of lost fishing gear.
This event is organized by CIIMAR, the project coordinator, in collaboration with the Associação Pró-Maior Segurança dos Homens do Mar (APMSHM), a project partner.
Photo: Claudia Amico
