The Clean Catch self-reporting app is for use by any fisherman in the UK to record data on catch, bycatch events, and other interactions between fishing gear and sensitive species (i.e. dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals, seabirds, sharks, skates and rays). Available on mobile devices, the app is designed to be practical and easy to use at sea, and has been developed and tested collaboratively with the fishing industry.
Fishermen can use the app to:
- Record incidences of bycatch of sensitive marine species (including seabirds, marine mammals, turtles, sharks, skates, and rays).
- Record other interactions between sensitive species and fishing gear, for example seals entering nets.
- Record catch data.
- View, in real-time, interactive maps showing hotspots of their own catch and any bycatch which has been recorded in the area.
The app is intended to collect data to inform research and sustainable fisheries management, and does not replace existing reporting channels for sensitive species bycatch. As such, app users should continue to report marine mammal bycatch to the MMO and to record shark, skate, and ray bycatch in their routine statutory returns.
What happens to your data
Cefas uses the fishing data collected through the app for research purposes, but cannot see the personal identifying information associated with the data. Additionally, the fishing data will only ever be made publicly available after being aggregated, so that you as an individual will not be identifiable. Find an explainer for who can access your data and in what format here.
All personal data collected from the app is protected under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation. You can read the privacy policy of the Clean Catch self-reporting mobile app here.
How to download and register to use the app
The Clean Catch self-reporting mobile app is free to download on Apple and Android devices, and can be found by searching ‘Clean Catch’ on your app store.
To start using the app, you will need to enter a personal activation code. To receive your code:
- Click on ‘Click here to register’ on the login page of the app.
- You will be directed to the Clean Catch portal web page where you will be asked to provide your contact and vessel details, for Cefas to verify. In the field ‘Select a Group*’, select the option ‘Wildlife Bycatch (all fisheries)’.
- Within five working days of submitting your details, you should receive an email containing your own personal activation code to start using the app.
Watch the video below for a walk-through of the download and registration process:
How to enter data into the app
Watch our tutorial on entering fishing data into the app:
Background to the app
Historically, gathering information on sensitive species bycatch has been challenging due to a lack of monitoring and the rarity of these events for individual fishermen. Data on bycatch events or interactions between sensitive species and fishing gear is key to developing effective and feasible mitigation strategies.
To improve collection of this data, and as part of the Clean Catch programme, Cefas and Applied Solutions Technology (AST) created the Clean Catch self-reporting mobile app. Fishermen from around the UK – including those involved in Clean Catch’s Southwest pinger trial – have played a critical role in the app’s development by providing input on ease of use, the clarity of information requested, and the suitability of the app for different fishing gears.
We continue to welcome suggestions on how to improve the app – feel free to get in touch with us via cleancatch@cefas.gov.uk.