Cetacean Bycatch - Gillnet Solutions

Cetacean bycatch in gillnet fisheries is one of the leading causes of dolphin and porpoise mortality globally. Emerging technological solutions offer hope for reducing this welfare and conservation problem.

Key Facts

An estimated 300,000+ cetaceans die as bycatch in fishing gear globally each year
Gillnets are responsible for the majority of cetacean bycatch deaths
Acoustic deterrents called pingers have been shown to reduce harbour porpoise bycatch by up to 90% in some fisheries
LED-lit gillnets reduce sea turtle bycatch and are being trialed for cetacean reduction
Ropeless fishing gear eliminates entanglement risk for whales but requires significant industry transition

Welfare Considerations

Cetacean bycatch causes acute drowning deaths for air-breathing mammals that cannot escape nets. Entangled dolphins and porpoises drown within minutes to hours of entanglement, experiencing panic and hypoxia. The scale of bycatch mortality - hundreds of thousands of animals per year - represents an enormous welfare cost largely invisible to consumers. Pingers reduce bycatch significantly for small cetaceans but are not universally required or monitored for effectiveness. Mandatory pinger use with compliance verification would be one of the most effective, low-cost cetacean welfare interventions available.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory pinger use in gillnet fisheries with independent compliance monitoring
Choose seafood from fisheries certified for low bycatch or using bycatch-reducing technology
Advocate for stronger EU and international regulations on cetacean bycatch in gillnet fisheries
Donate to organizations researching and implementing bycatch reduction technology