Quick Definition
Non-target species caught incidentally during fishing operations.
📖 Full Definition
Bycatch encompasses all marine organisms captured unintentionally during fishing operations for a different target species. It includes non-target fish, juvenile fish below minimum size, protected species (sea turtles, dolphins, seabirds), and marine mammals. Globally, bycatch is estimated at approximately 9 million tonnes per year (20% of total catch). It represents a major source of mortality for non-target species and a significant economic and conservation problem. Mitigation strategies include modified gear (turtle excluder devices, circle hooks), area/season closures, and electronic monitoring.
💡 Examples & Context
Trawl fisheries targeting shrimp can have bycatch ratios exceeding 10:1 (10 kg of bycatch discarded for every 1 kg of shrimp landed).