Marine Mammal Bycatch Welfare and Policy

Hundreds of thousands of dolphins, porpoises, and seals are killed as bycatch in fisheries each year, causing immense welfare suffering.

Key Facts

An estimated 300,000-500,000 cetaceans die as fisheries bycatch annually worldwide
Gillnets are responsible for the highest marine mammal bycatch mortality among fishing gear types
Acoustic deterrents called pingers significantly reduce cetacean bycatch when deployed correctly
Harbor porpoise bycatch in European gillnet fisheries has driven populations to critically low levels
Observer programs that monitor bycatch on fishing vessels are essential for accurate mortality assessment

Welfare Considerations

Marine mammal bycatch causes individual animals to drown entangled in fishing gear — a death that for intelligent, air-breathing mammals like dolphins involves considerable suffering and fear. The scale of mortality is enormous, yet most fisheries lack independent monitoring to accurately quantify the problem. Acoustic deterrents and modified gear designs offer meaningful bycatch reductions for some fisheries and species. The welfare and conservation imperatives align completely: reducing bycatch saves individual lives and protects population viability simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by programs requiring bycatch monitoring and marine mammal protection measures
Support mandatory independent observer programs on all commercial fishing vessels
Advocate for broader deployment of acoustic deterrents in gillnet fisheries in marine mammal habitat
Donate to organizations monitoring and documenting marine mammal bycatch to build the evidence base