Aquatic Animals

Marine Mammal Bycatch Welfare

Marine mammals caught as bycatch in fishing gear experience drowning, injury and severe distress before death.

Key Facts

An estimated 650,000 marine mammals are killed as bycatch in fisheries annually
Dolphins, porpoises, seals and whales are most commonly affected
Entanglement in nets and longlines causes drowning, exhaustion and injury
Acoustic deterrents and modified gear designs reduce bycatch rates substantially

Welfare Considerations

Marine mammals caught in fishing gear face drowning — for animals that are air-breathing but trapped underwater, the distress is intense and death is not quick. Entangled animals may struggle for extended periods before exhaustion and death. Given the intelligence and social complexity of dolphins and whales, these deaths represent significant individual welfare harm at scale.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified to low bycatch standards
Support campaigns for acoustic deterrents (pingers) in dolphin-threatened fisheries
Advocate for mandatory bycatch reduction devices in high-impact fisheries
Donate to organizations monitoring and reducing marine mammal bycatch