Optimizing the exploitation of the natural resources in the Kattegat and Skagerrak plays a central role in promoting sustainable economic growth in the entire KASK region. Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is one of the economically most important species targeted by the commercial fishery in the Kattegat /Skagerrak area and the annual catch value amounted to 350 million dkr in 2011. The majority of the Norway lobster catch is processed or sold locally and the socio-economic value is therefore much higher than the catch value.In recent years, a shift from species based management to ecosystem based management has resulted in new regulations that focus on limiting or eliminating discards and minimizing the impact of fishing on the seabed. Area closures, ban on discards and demands on increased selectivity has caused concern in the industry and limits the possibility of exploiting the resource optimally. Therefore, to ensure a sustainable economic growth in the Norway lobster fishery in the KASK area, increased collaboration between industry and scientists is needed, as well as a novel approach to development and deployment of fishing gears with low impact on the environment. Furthermore, a reliable knowledge-based assessment of the stock is essential.The present study aim at optimizing the exploitation of the Kattegat/Skagerrak Norway lobster stock in consideration of the ecosystem based management regime. A group consisting of Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish scientists, fishermen, managers and representatives from the industry will exchange national knowledge of the fishery, the regulations, the commercial outlets, and biological and ecological factors affecting the fishery. Gears will be evaluated with regards to their selectivity, their expected effect on the seabed and their profitability. Also the socio-economic consequences of different management regimes will be evaluated. Expected Results: The project will:- Create a basis for a long-term management plan of the Norway lobster stock in the KASK area- Build bridges between the national research institutes, the fishing industry and the national managers to ensure collaboration on management of the common resources in the KASK area- Increase the use of experience gained in the commercial fishery when developing new selective fishing gears