Mahi-mahi are fast-growing, highly productive fish that support major recreational and commercial fisheries. Longline fishing for mahi-mahi catches a wide variety of bycatch species including sea turtles and billfish, raising multi-species welfare concerns.
Mahi-mahi themselves are highly active pelagic fish that suffer significant stress when hooked and restrained on longlines. Bycatch species including sea turtles and billfish suffer prolonged hook injuries and drowning. The welfare of bycatch associated with mahi-mahi fishing is frequently not considered in fisheries management that focuses only on the target species. Consumer choices that support lower-bycatch fishing methods directly improve multi-species welfare outcomes.