Commercial Fishing Bycatch: Welfare Implications for Non-Target Species

Commercial fishing captures and kills enormous numbers of non-target species — bycatch represents a massive and largely invisible source of animal suffering in marine ecosystems.

Key Facts

Global bycatch estimates range from 9.1 to 40 million metric tons annually — approximately 40% of total marine catch
Sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries kills tens of thousands of turtles annually across multiple species
Dolphin bycatch in tuna fisheries — which led to the dolphin-safe tuna movement — still kills thousands annually
Seabird bycatch including albatrosses is a leading cause of decline for some of the world's most threatened species
Circle hooks rather than J-hooks reduce sea turtle bycatch by 50-90% with minimal effect on target species catch
Some innovative fishing gear modifications including acoustic pingers can significantly reduce dolphin bycatch

Welfare Considerations

Bycatch represents one of the most significant and least discussed sources of animal suffering in the food system. Animals caught as bycatch experience capture stress, physical injury, and death — often after extended suffering on hook or in net. The scale is staggering: billions of non-target fish, plus sea turtles, dolphins, seabirds, sharks, and marine mammals die annually as incidental fishing mortality. Many of these are species of conservation concern. Technology exists to substantially reduce bycatch for many species and fisheries — circle hooks, acoustic pingers, modified net designs, and seasonal closures all have demonstrated effectiveness. What is lacking is regulatory requirement and industry incentive to adopt them.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by programs that audit bycatch reduction practices
Look for dolphin-safe tuna certifications with meaningful third-party verification
Support organizations advocating for bycatch reduction regulations in commercial fisheries
Reduce seafood consumption to lower overall pressure on overexploited marine ecosystems
Advocate for mandatory bycatch reporting and reduction requirements in national fisheries legislation