Pacific salmon fisheries generate bycatch of marine mammals, seabirds, and non-target fish species, with bycatch reduction technology significantly improving welfare outcomes.
Bycatch causes welfare harms through drowning, physical trauma from nets, and physiological stress from prolonged entanglement. Marine mammals that survive bycatch events may have injuries affecting long-term survival and welfare. Bycatch reduction technologies that prevent capture entirely are preferable to discard protocols for already-caught animals. Mandatory observer coverage and bycatch reporting create accountability that drives adoption of bycatch reduction measures by fishers who might otherwise avoid the added cost.