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This paper reports on an unusual mortality event (UME) of healthy, nourished, male Baltic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus grypus) that occurred in the Greifswald Bay at the German Baltic coast in autumn 2017. Findings suggest that the cause of death was bycatch in a fyke net, despite the grey seals being a legally protected species. As a result, the fisheries authority ultimately established precautionary provisions, and fyke nets in Greifswald Bay are now (since 2020) required to have an entrance opening size of no greater than 75cm in circumference, which seems to have been effective to prevent gray seal bycatch in the area. However, gray seal bycatch in other areas continues, suggesting the need for more widespread adoption of preventative provisions. 

This study used systemic scar analysis to estimate the frequency of non-lethal entanglements among humpback whales off the coast of Iceland from 2005-2017. Results demonstrate that at least 24.8% of individuals had prior entanglement(s) when first encountered, and then subsequently acquired new entanglement-related injuries at an averafe rate of 1.9% per year; however, scar-based estimates usually underestimate the frequency of prior entanglements. At least some entanglements seem to have occurred locally. 

The authors conducted field studies off the coast of Iceland to measure the response of humpback whales (Megaptera noveangliae) in their feeding grounds to a whale pinger and seal scarer (acoustic deterrents). Results indicate that whale pingers caused a significant increase in humpback swimming speed and a significant decrease in surface feeding, and that seal scarers caused no significant, consistent behavioral changes.  Additionally, the authors conducted a field trial of whale pingers on a capelin purse seine; the pingers did usually deter whales from the purse seine, and the two times that whales entered the net, the pingers combined with crew responsiveness seemed to aid their escape. Whale pingers can be a useful humpback whale entanglement mitigation tool, but they should be used only short-term so as to avoid reduced fitness consequences.

The authors conducted field studies off the coast of Iceland to measure the response of humpback whales (Megaptera noveangliae) in their feeding grounds to a whale pinger and seal scarer (acoustic deterrents). Results indicate that whale pingers caused a significant increase in humpback swimming speed and a significant decrease in surface feeding, and that seal scarers caused no significant, consistent behavioral changes.  Additionally, the authors conducted a field trial of whale pingers on a capelin purse seine; the pingers did usually deter whales from the purse seine, and the two times that whales entered the net, the pingers combined with crew responsiveness seemed to aid their escape. Whale pingers can be a useful humpback whale entanglement mitigation tool, but they should be used only short-term so as to avoid reduced fitness consequences.

This study reports on trials investigating the use of white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to improve target catch and reduce nontarget catch in northern shrimp  (Pandalus borealis) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) pot fisheries. Illuminated pots led to a significantly higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) of northern shrimp, but levels were still not commercially viable. LEDs also resulted in higher juvenile poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) bycatch and reduced Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) catch. LEDs on nets may be promising for increasing CPUE and an alternative to trawl fisheries for northern shrimp.

This study reports on trials investigating the use of white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to improve target catch and reduce nontarget catch in northern shrimp  (Pandalus borealis) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) pot fisheries. Illuminated pots led to a significantly higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) of northern shrimp, but levels were still not commercially viable. LEDs also resulted in higher juvenile poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) bycatch and reduced Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) catch. LEDs on nets may be promising for increasing CPUE and an alternative to trawl fisheries for northern shrimp.

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of DDD®03H Dolphin Dissuasive Devices, or DDD pingers (an acoustic deterrent device) to reduce common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) bycatch in a demersal pair trawler in the Bay of Biscay. Results showed that the DDD pingers reduced common dolphin bycatch by more than 90%, and that common dolphin bycatch in this trawl fishery is related to fishing zone and depth, but not necessarily factors such as time of day and haul duration.