Advanced fishing technologies can dramatically reduce bycatch of dolphins, turtles and seabirds. Understanding available technologies and the barriers to adoption helps target advocacy effectively.
Bycatch causes direct welfare harm through entanglement, drowning, and physical injury in animals caught and discarded. Sea turtles drowned in longline gear die by suffocation over many minutes. Dolphins in trawl nets die similarly. Seabirds caught on baited hooks drown. The welfare of these animals is a significant concern independent of the conservation status of their species. The existence of effective technological solutions that are not being widely adopted reflects the absence of regulatory requirements and economic incentives for uptake. Observer programs that document bycatch are essential but typically cover less than 10% of fishing operations globally, meaning that most bycatch is unobserved and unquantified. Consumer pressure, certification scheme requirements and regulatory mandates are the primary drivers for technology adoption.