Marine Animals

Wild Shark Bycatch and Welfare

Millions of sharks are caught as bycatch annually in commercial fisheries, with significant welfare implications from the time from capture to death by suffocation or injury.

Key Facts

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed annually including through bycatch
Longline fishing catches many shark species not targeted by the fishery
Sharks caught as bycatch commonly die from suffocation after gill function is impaired
Circle hooks and other modifications can reduce shark bycatch in some fisheries
Many shark species are now critically endangered partly due to bycatch mortality

Welfare Considerations

Shark bycatch causes prolonged death from suffocation for millions of individuals annually. Gear modifications and stronger bycatch regulations can significantly reduce this suffering.

What You Can Do

Support fisheries using bycatch-reduction gear modifications
Choose Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood where possible
Advocate for stronger bycatch reduction requirements in fisheries management
Raise awareness of shark bycatch welfare alongside conservation messaging