Marine Animals

Fur Seal Bycatch and Fisheries Welfare

Fur seals and other marine mammals are accidentally caught in fishing gear, suffering injuries and drowning in large numbers each year.

Key Facts

Thousands of fur seals are killed as bycatch annually in the Southern Ocean
Entanglement in trawl nets causes drowning and propeller injuries
Discarded fishing gear continues catching and killing marine life
Mitigation measures exist but compliance is often low

Welfare Considerations

Marine mammal bycatch involves drowning, entanglement injuries, and injuries from nets and boat propellers. Animals that escape may carry embedded gear that causes chronic wounds. Acoustic deterrents, modified gear, and observer programs can substantially reduce bycatch but require industry commitment and regulatory enforcement.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified sustainable with low bycatch rates
Support international bycatch reduction initiatives
Advocate for mandatory observer programs on fishing vessels
Reduce consumption of fish species with high bycatch rates