Bycatch (Noun)
Meaning
Unwanted marine creatures that are caught in the nets while fishing for another species; "thousands of dolphins and porpoises and whales are killed as part of the by-catch each year".
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Sharks and rays are often caught as bycatch in fishing gear intended for other species, resulting in serious conservation concerns.
- Accidental bycatch often occurs when the fishery is not using turtle-friendly fishing gear or proper fishing methods.
- Since bycatch can represent a significant proportion of the total marine catch, understanding and reducing it is an essential part of reducing the environmental impacts associated with fishing.
- Dolphins, porpoises, and other marine mammals fall victim to bycatch in trawl fisheries and gillnet fisheries.
- Researchers and conservationists consider chronic bycatch a major factor driving the sharp decline in global marine biodiversity.