Summary
Pingers were tested to reduce harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) bycatch in bottom-set gillnets in the Swedish Skagerrak Sea. During the experiment, no harbor porpoise were caught in control or experimental gillnets, possibly as a result of a combination of factors including displacement of porpoise, high prey availability in other areas, or pingers acting as passive reflectors. Pingers did not affect the catch of target species, including cod (Gadus morhua) and pollock (Pollachius pollachius).