Summary
The authors evaluated factors influencing marine mammal bycatch in static net fishing operations in the UK between 1996 and 2023. Since 2014, harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) bycatch has been decreasing while common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) bycatch has been increasing; grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) bycatch has been increasing gradually across the time period. Influential factors included seasonal patterns, water depth, and level of fishing effort.