Search The Database

The authors performed onboard surveys (line transects and passive acoustic monitoring) and interviewed gillnet fishers to assess abundance and bycatch of the endemic Burmeister’s porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) in northern Peru in 2023. The population abundance in the study area was estimated at 1,696 spatially distributed individuals, with the highest densities found within 25km of shore and within shallow waters ≤50 m. Fishers' descriptions of bycatch aligned with survey results, and most fishers reported experiencing porpoise bycatch the previous year. The annual bycatch rate was estimated to be 420 porpoises across the entire artisanal gillnet fishery of Salaverry, which far exceeds sustainable limits and highlights the urgent need for bycatch mitigation measures.

The authors used onboard observers and fishing records to evaluate marine mammal bycatch in trawl fisheries of the San Matías Gulf, Argentina. Results show that, of 46 incidentally caught species, the American sea lion (Otaria byronia) was caught most frequently, and that catch was associated with proximity to colonies and the target species identity. Significantly higher bycatch rates were observed in the hake fleet.

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. 

The authors assessed accurate reporting of seabird bycatch in the Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) fishery in northern Canada. The amount of bird bycatch reported by at-sea observers and carcass collections yielded different (0.5-11-fold higher) results from that of the at-sea observers database. This highlights huge discrepancies in methods which suggest that seabird bycatch data is not accurate.

The authors assessed accurate reporting of seabird bycatch in the Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) fishery in northern Canada. The amount of bird bycatch reported by at-sea observers and carcass collections yielded different (0.5-11-fold higher) results from that of the at-sea observers database. This highlights huge discrepancies in methods which suggest that seabird bycatch data is not accurate.

The authors tested bycatch rates in various soak times and durations  in shallow-set gillnets in the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) bait fishery in Canada. Nearly all bycatch, including seabird, occurred during control (24+ hour) sets as opposed to short  (12 hour) daytime or overnight sets. Because seabirds associated with fishing vessels during the daytime, the authors recommend that fishers set overnight and haul nets in the early morning to minimize seabird bycatch risk. 

Large escape openings located at the sorting grid panel, which could be a beneficial tool to reduce marine megafauna bycatch, such as Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), did not impact northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) catch rates in comparison to traditional trawl gear. 

A mobuilid sorting grid placed over the hopper used to sort bycatch on tuna purse seine vessels aided in the release of larger mobuilid rays without increasing handling time.  

Seal exclusion devices (SEDs) are effective in reducing pinniped bycatch in the Patagonian squid fishery, however, drowning may still occur during trawl hauling. 

Use of ferrite magnets did not act as a deterrent for blue shark (Prionace glauca) bait strikes. Time to strike, number of prior interactions, number of sharks present, and number of people in the water also did not influence bait strikes.