The Bycatch Reduction Techniques database was created as a resource for scientists, fishermen, and fisheries managers to have easier access to references and summaries from bycatch reduction studies, as well as descriptions of various techniques.

1. Citations for studies that pertain to bycatch reduction approaches.
2. Summaries of the findings for each study.
3. Descriptions of bycatch reduction techniques.
4. Descriptions of fishing methods.
5. Links to studies and study authors, where available.

Users can search the database by fishing gear, bycatch reduction technique, or non-target wildlife group singly or in combination. This is achieved by selecting items from the drop-down menu on the initial search page. Search results consist of any relevant publications that match the input search terms. Users can also browse the complete list of publications, and arrange them by year and author.

Research into bycatch reduction approaches is a very active field involving researchers and fishermen around the world. It is therefore challenging to maintain the most up-to-date compendium of studies. Up-dating the studies contained in this database therefore relies on voluntary submissions from an international network of researchers. Since new technologies to address bycatch are continually being developed, users can also suggest an article or field study to be added to the database to share valuable information regarding bycatch reduction strategies.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING NEW PUBLICATIONS TO THE DATABASE OF BYCATCH REDUCTION TECHNIQUES AT WWW.BYCATCH.ORG

First, if you haven’t already, you will need to register at www.bycatch.org. Simply input your contact information and your registration will be approved by the website Administrator.

Registered users can upload new publications on to the website in just a few minutes by inputting the information requested after logging in and then clicking on “Add an Article.” The page that appears has spaces for adding citation information as well as providing (in the appropriate space) a brief summary of the article’s principal finding(s). Please limit this summary to no more than 4-5 sentences, and preferably 1-3.

After hitting “submit” on the first page in which you entered information, a second page will open in which you should input a summary of the efficacy of the technique evaluated in the article. There are drop-down menus provided so that you adhere to using the terms which have been defined and linked in the database. It is important that you use these terms (for “Fishing gear,” “Reduction technique,” and “Bycatch species”). If you are not sure which reduction technique to select, refer to the glossary. Only in rare instances will you need to input a new technique. For cells lacking drop-down menus you should type in the information (e.g., target catch) using terms drawn from the article. If you require guidance, you may wish to consult other summaries already in the database.

Once you submit this information, it will not appear in the public form of the database until approved by the Database Administrator.

Any question, please contact: twerner@neaq.org.

Getting seafood to the dining table often comes at an expense to endangered species that too often perish in the nets and hooks set to capture the fish and shellfish we eat. The capture and collateral mortality of non-target marine animals resulting from fishing activity is referred to as “bycatch,” and is one of the principal threats to marine biodiversity worldwide. It occurs worldwide in every type of fishing gear, including in recreational and commercial fishing.

This website and the database are hosted by the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction with assistance from the US National Marine Fisheries Service. Please address any questions or comments to bycatchdatabase@neaq.org