News
Marine mammal bycatch in gillnet fisheries, 1990-2011
Since the 1970s, fisheries bycatch has been increasingly recognized as a factor responsible for reducing or liminiting the recovery of marine mammal populations in many parts of the world. A new study from the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction reviews reported marine mammal bycatch from the last two decades.
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Techniques for Reducing Marine Mammal Bycatch in Gillnets
Endangered Species Research Theme Section
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Addressing Bycatch in Artisanal Gillnet Fisheries
Workshop report from the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals
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New type of gillnet may help endangered dolphins
The Consortium's research on barium sulfate gillnets to reduce bycatch of Brazil's endangered franciscana dolphin was featured in the Brazilian newspaper O GLOBO, "Novo tipo de rede promete ajudar a proteger toninhas"
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Lobster Pot Gear Configurations in the Gulf of Maine
Report documents the range of lobster fishing methods in the Gulf of Maine for the first time
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Shark Behavioral Responses to Deterrents
Jordan, LK, Mandelman, JW and Kajiura, SM. 2011. Behavioral responses to weak electric fields and lanthanide metal in two shark species. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 409(1-2): 345-350.
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Boston Globe Editorial on Bycatch
The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction was recently featured in an August 27, 2011 editorial in the Boston Globe, "Saving Millions of Fish".
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New York Times: "Fishing Gear is Altered to Ease Collateral Costs to Marine Life"
The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch has been featured in the August 22, 2011 New York Times Science article, "Fishing Gear is Altered to Ease Collateral Costs to Marine Life". "The seafood on your plate is not the only animal that gave its life to feed you," is one of the messages from Tim Werner, the director of the Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction. While fishing for tuna, lobster, or other tasty seafood, we catch, injure, and kill other fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, and invertebrates.
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"Weak" Circle Hook Requirement Proposed in Hawaii
NMFS is recommending that "weak" circle hooks, sized 16/0 or smaller, be required in the Hawaii-based deep-set longline fishery. "Weak" hooks are designed to retain the target catch, but release larger bycatch, like false killer whales (or bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico or pilot whales in North Carolina). The hooks release larger animals by straightening out when the animal puts tension on the line.
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