Fisheries bycatch kills hundreds of millions of non-target animals annually, representing one of the largest sources of marine animal suffering.
Bycatch welfare impacts range from immediate drowning for air-breathing marine mammals to prolonged suffering from hook injuries in sea turtles and fish. The scale of suffering is staggering — hundreds of millions of individual animals annually. Many bycatch reduction technologies are technically available but not mandated or deployed. Consumer pressure through certified seafood purchasing creates economic incentives for bycatch reduction. Ghost gear removal programs address ongoing bycatch from already-lost equipment. International cooperation is essential as many bycatch-intensive fisheries operate in international waters beyond national regulatory reach.