Bycatch Reduction: Protecting Non-Target Marine Species

Billions of non-target animals die as bycatch in commercial fisheries annually. Technological and regulatory solutions exist to dramatically reduce this toll.

Key Facts

Global bycatch is estimated at 40 percent of all marine catch — approximately 38 million tonnes annually
Sea turtles, dolphins, seabirds, and sharks are common bycatch victims
Turtle excluder devices reduce sea turtle bycatch by more than 90 percent
LED lights on gill nets reduce seabird bycatch by up to 85 percent
Circle hooks reduce sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries by up to 90 percent

Welfare Considerations

Bycatch represents one of the largest sources of human-caused suffering in the marine environment. Non-target animals including sea turtles, dolphins, seabirds, and juvenile fish are caught, injured, and killed in enormous numbers by fishing gear not designed for them. The welfare impacts range from drowning in nets to injury from hook removal to prolonged exhaustion. Many bycatch reduction technologies have been developed and proven effective, yet adoption remains inconsistent due to cost and regulatory gaps. Consumer pressure through seafood certification schemes has driven adoption of bycatch reduction measures in some fisheries.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council or equivalent
Advocate for mandatory bycatch reduction device requirements in your country
Support research into fishing gear modifications that reduce non-target catch
Ask restaurants and retailers about the bycatch record of their seafood sources