Hundreds of thousands of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals die in fishing gear annually. Bycatch reduction is one of the most urgent marine mammal welfare priorities.
Marine mammal bycatch causes suffering on a scale that is difficult to comprehend. Animals that become entangled in fishing gear may drown immediately or sustain injuries that lead to prolonged suffering and eventual death. Entangled animals that survive gear encounters often carry wounds including fin amputations, constricting line injuries, and internal damage. The welfare dimension of bycatch is compounded by the scale: hundreds of thousands of sentient mammals dying preventable deaths annually. Technical solutions including modified gear designs, acoustic deterrents, and real-time bycatch monitoring offer meaningful reductions in bycatch mortality.