Bycatch — the unintended capture of non-target species in fishing operations — kills billions of animals annually and raises serious welfare concerns.
Bycatch represents one of the largest sources of human-caused animal suffering in the marine environment. Animals caught unintentionally include sentient species with documented capacity for pain and distress. Fish that are caught, damaged by nets, and discarded may survive for hours in pain before dying. Sea turtles and marine mammals drown in nets. Technology and fishing practice changes can dramatically reduce bycatch but require economic incentives and regulation.