Wild Animals

Wild Pelagic Longline Welfare Reform

Pelagic longline fishing causes mass mortality of non-target species including sea turtles, sharks, seabirds, and marine mammals.

Key Facts

Longlines may stretch 100km with thousands of hooks, catching diverse bycatch
Circle hooks significantly reduce sea turtle bycatch compared to J-hooks
Weighted lines sink faster, reducing seabird interactions dramatically
International fisheries bodies are increasingly requiring bycatch mitigation measures

Welfare Considerations

Animals that take longline bait for non-target species experience hook injuries, drowning, and death as genuine suffering events. The scale of longline bycatch — millions of animals annually — represents one of the largest sources of preventable marine animal suffering from commercial fishing.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified to require longline bycatch mitigation measures
Support international fisheries agreements that mandate bycatch reduction
Donate to organizations monitoring and advocating for longline welfare reforms
Advocate for circle hook requirements as a minimum standard in longline fisheries