The overall objective of the project is to improve the conservation of some of the most vulnerable shark species by promoting, through pilot and demonstration actions, best practices in the context of professional fishing in several Italian ports. In particular, measures will be implemented to reduce by-catch, i.e. the incidental capture of any species (fish and non-fish) that are not specifically targeted by the fishery. This is particularly critical for the conservation of many shark and ray species including the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus).