Bycatch News
The Shark Conservation Fund (SCF) is a collaboration of philanthropists dedicated to restoring ocean health through sweeping shark and ray conservation. SCF's goal is to help maintain the vibrancy of the world’s oceans by halting the overexploitation of sharks and rays and to prevent extinctions through strategic, collaborative, and catalytic grantmaking. The Small Grant Fund supports these objectives by providing grants of up to $25,000, with a duration of 18 months. SCF allocates $250,000 annually for Small Grants, funding up to 10 projects each year.
Please note the application period for this grant has now closed.
From Seafood Source: The Center for Biological Diversity, the Port Royal Sound Foundation, and Lowcountry Ecological have filed a petition with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in the United States asking the state government to require bycatch reduction devices on all blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) pots in order to protect diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin). Multiple states along the East Coast of the United States already require bycatch reduction devices on recreational and commercial crab pots.
From Seafood Source: Canada's government has announced several measures to help protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) during the upcoming year, including measures to reduce the risk of interaction with fishing gear.
Read more: Canada announces North Atlantic right whale protections for 2026
From Fishing News: North Sea whitefish vessels have reached a milestone in a new bycatch monitoring trial. Participating vessels are using remote electronic monitoring cameras on seven vessels, as well as sensors on conveyor belts, to collect baseline data on the frequency of seabird interactions.
Read more: Co-designed bird bycatch avoidance trial rolled out - Fishing News
From the Responsible Seafood Advocate: Fatal interactions with orca whales in the Bering Sea deep-water flatfish fishery spurred industry to collaborate with scientists, gear manufacturers, and marine mammal experts to develop a "killer whale fence" that deters orcas from following fish into trawl nets.
The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction, in collaboration with Ocean Associates, Inc., and with funding from Broadreach, is pleased to announce the availability of grants for reducing marine bycatch.
Please note, the application period for this grant has now closed.
Oceanographic magazine: A new study combines satellite tracking, fishing vessel data and ocean science to identify high-risk zones where fishing threatens endangered Antipodean albatrosses.
From the Fishing Daily: The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) and the North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) have called on the EU Commission to overhaul the Landing Obligation policy.
Virginia, USA is considering a requirement that recreational crab fishers use TEDs in their crab pots to reduce bycatch of terrapins.
See:
quirephttps://phys.org/news/2025-07-virginia-marine-resources-commission-requiring.html
Virginia, USA is considering a requirement that recreational crab fishers use TEDs in their crab pots to reduce bycatch of terrapins.
See:
quirephttps://phys.org/news/2025-07-virginia-marine-resources-commission-requiring.html