Harbour porpoises, common dolphins, and other small cetaceans are caught as bycatch in fisheries across European waters, experiencing drowning and entanglement trauma that causes significant individual welfare harm.
Cetacean bycatch causes acute welfare harm through drowning and entanglement trauma. Porpoises and dolphins caught in gill nets drown within minutes as they are unable to surface to breathe. Those that survive initial entanglement may suffer lacerations, fin damage, and extreme stress before drowning or being released. Animals released alive after entanglement may have sustained injuries or physiological stress that contributes to delayed mortality. Acoustic deterrents installed on fishing nets have demonstrated significant bycatch reduction in targeted fisheries and represent a cost-effective welfare and conservation intervention.