Cetacean Bycatch Technology Welfare Innovation

New technologies are reducing cetacean bycatch - acoustic pingers, modified nets, and tracking systems protect dolphins and porpoises from entanglement deaths.

Key Facts

An estimated 300,000 cetaceans are killed as bycatch annually in fisheries globally
Acoustic pingers emit sounds that warn dolphins and porpoises away from nets
Pinger requirements in UK gill net fisheries for harbour porpoise have been mandatory since 1993
BANANA (bottom-set gill net areas with acoustic net avoidance) technology is advancing
Modified trawl design and time-area closures during cetacean aggregations reduce bycatch
SMART buoy technology tracks gear drift in real time, reducing lost gear and associated bycatch

Welfare Considerations

Cetacean bycatch welfare innovations represent a field where technology can prevent large-scale suffering cost-effectively. Acoustic pingers have demonstrated significant reductions in harbour porpoise bycatch in gill net fisheries. However, habituation to pingers reduces effectiveness over time, requiring innovation and rotation. Modified gear designs that allow cetacean escape are another approach. The welfare scale of 300,000 cetacean deaths annually - drowning in fishing gear - makes bycatch reduction technology development a high-priority animal welfare intervention. Consumer demand for dolphin-safe certified products creates economic incentive for fisheries to invest in bycatch reduction.

What You Can Do

Choose dolphin-safe certified tuna and other seafood when available
Support Whale and Dolphin Conservation campaigns for improved bycatch reduction standards
Engage with fisheries regulators about mandatory pinger requirements for high-risk fisheries
Support research into next-generation bycatch reduction technologies through WWF
Reduce seafood consumption overall to reduce fishing pressure
Engage with retailers about their cetacean bycatch reduction requirements for seafood suppliers