October 2025

Bycatch reduction device prototypes (“RS_INP”) (industrial and artisanal versions) were tested on vessels targeting shrimp in the Gulf of California to compare bycatch-to-shrimp ratios, catch efficiency, drag resistence indicators, fuel consumption rate and selectivity with traditional versions.  The industrial version of the prototype reduced bycatch-to-shrimp ratios from 20-50% and shrimp production was not reduced.  The […]

Mortality from longline bycatch threatens marine mammal species and populations such as the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) in the insular Hawaiian Islands, and Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) and pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) in the Northwest Atlantic. Fishermen also lose valuable target catch due to marine mammal depredation, and as a result, may face fishing […]

The type (circle 18/0 0 degree offset and J-style 9/0 10 degree offset) and position of hooks in the water column were tested to determine the effects on catch rates and mortality of elasmobranchs.  Tests were conducted aboard pelagic and bottom longline vessels. CPUEs for blue, silky and oceanic whitetip sharks were significantly higher with […]

The University of North Carolina Wilmington conducted tests on common commercially available longline hooks to measure the force required to pull the hooks through the soft and hard tissues of short-finned pilot whales, Risso’s dolphins, and false killer whales. The researchers found that the different materials the hooks were made of influenced how they bent […]

The catches from five experimental trawls (TED + fisheye BRD, upward facing TED, downward facing TED, bigeye BRD and square-mesh panel BRD) were compared to those of the standard twin Florida Flyer prawn trawl. Nets with a combination of a TED and BRD reduced sea turtle catches by 100%, large sponges by 85.3%, sharks by […]

Bycatch is the principal and most immediate threat to many species and populations of marine mammals. In many parts of the world, especially in countries with large artisanal fishing sectors, the extent of this bycatch is largely undocumented. This project will take the initial step of understanding the bycatch associated with particular fisheries—industrial and small-scale—in […]

This study developed fishing traps made with plastic that included adjustable escape gaps for the release of undersized fishes. The unique improved selective fishing traps operate in shallow water of 1-2 meters depth. Traps are set against the flow of water current to aid movement of fishes into the traps. The average catch per month […]

This study investigated and summarized trends in US marine mammal bycatch from 1990-2017. Total annual bycatch was estimated to be 4296 ± 1789 individuals, and the vast majority occurred in gillnets; 52% of marine mammal bycatch consisted of pinnipeds, while the other 48% was cetaceans. Total marine mammal bycatch in US fisheries declined from 1990 […]

The authors tested the effectiveness of ‘scarybird’, a visual deterrent, to reduce seabird bycatch in bottom gillnet fisheries in Portugal. The scarybird is a raptor-shaped aerial device that is flown behind the stern of the boat up to  ~7m above sea level. The scarybird did successfully deter seabirds during fishing operations, especially within the closest […]

A long-term study assessed the efficiency of acoustic pingers (AQUAmark 100, 20-160kHz) in reducing the encounter rates of finless porpoises (Neophocaena spp.) with fishing nets. The study used a passive recorder to obtain acoustic encounter rates of echolocating finless porpoises over two eight-month periods. Encounter rates were significantly lower in periods when pingers were in […]

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 […]

Experiments were conducted in California to determine the effect of hook type (circle and J-type) on anatomical hook location and subsequent growth and mortality rates of white seabass.  Juvenile white seabass were captured with 4/0 offset circle hooks, J-type hooks or a control net.  There was a significant difference in hook location between the two […]

In 2015, NPF Industry Pty Ltd launched the Northern Prawn Fishery’s Bycatch Strategy 2015-2018 with the vision to reduce small bycatch by 30% in three years. A key component of the strategy was industry innovation and through this process the Kon’s Covered Fisheyes Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) was developed.In 2016, at-sea testing of the Kon’s […]

Many species of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are incidentally caught in pelagic longline fisheries. Sometimes shark bycatch exceeds the amount of target fish that is caught (e.g. tuna).  An array of recent studies have shown that some species of sharks have an aversion resonse to certain electromagnetic metals, alloys, and strong magnets. This is a […]