Bycatch is the incidental capture of non-target species such as dolphins, marine turtles and seabirds, and it happens each time we fish. Thousands of miles of nets and lines are set in the world's oceans each day. Modern fishing gear, often undetectable by sight and extremely powerful, is very productive at catching the wanted species, but also anything else in its path. A heartbreaking number of marine life - including turtles, dolphins and juvenile fish - is hauled up, then discarded overboard either dead, or dying.
Areas where unwanted catch is not properly managed or mitigated, devastating effects may be inflicted on the habitats and marine species. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that annually 9.1 million tonnes (10% of yearly catches) are discarded, and at least 20 million individuals of endangered, threatened and protected species encounter fisheries. With these types of fishing happening, it becomes difficult for endangered species to recover to healthy numbers. In Mexico, the vaquita, a type of porpoise, is commonly entangled in gillnets and is facing imminent extinction.
Unwanted catch is a global challenge that requires support from the industry, scientists and NGOs. It is crucial that we tackle this issue and work towards improving fishing management, ensuring responsible and sustainable fishing to proactively reduce bycatch.
