Wild Animals

Wild Fish Bycatch Welfare Impacts

Bycatch kills billions of non-target fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and turtles in commercial fishing operations annually.

Key Facts

Bycatch accounts for around 40 percent of global marine catch
Around 300,000 cetaceans die as bycatch annually worldwide
Bycatch mortality of endangered species including sea turtles and albatrosses threatens populations
Improved fishing gear design including turtle excluder devices and acoustic pingers dramatically reduces bycatch
Consumer choice of sustainably certified seafood can reduce bycatch pressure over time

Welfare Considerations

Bycatch causes immense incidental animal suffering at global scale. Fish, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds caught and killed as unintended bycatch experience suffering equivalent to targeted species. Gear modifications, time-area closures, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood can all contribute to reducing bycatch mortality.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood certified by MSC or equivalent sustainable fisheries schemes
Reduce overall seafood consumption to decrease bycatch pressure
Support campaigns for stronger bycatch reduction measures in fisheries law
Advocate for broader use of turtle excluder devices and acoustic deterrents