Hundreds of thousands of marine mammals including dolphins, porpoises, and seals are accidentally caught in fishing gear each year, causing suffering and death that requires urgent reduction.
Marine mammal bycatch represents one of the most significant and preventable sources of wildlife suffering associated with human food systems. Animals that become entangled in fishing gear may drown, sustain severe injuries from entanglement and struggle, or be hauled onto vessels causing acute trauma. Death from bycatch is often prolonged and painful. Critically, many bycatch deaths are preventable through the adoption of modified gear, acoustic deterrents, spatial closures during high-risk periods, and improved observer coverage to verify compliance. The welfare burden of marine mammal bycatch justifies urgent action beyond the current pace of regulatory reform.