Field Experiments Show That Acoustic Pingers Reduce Marine Mammal Bycatch in the California Drift Gill Net Fishery

Pingers reduce bycatch of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the California drift gillnet fishery for swordfish and sharks. Catch of target fish species (broadbill swordfish, common thresher shark, and shortfin mako shark) and non-target species were not affected by pinger use.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
California	Gillnets	Acoustic pingers	Pinnipeds	Reduced bycatch	Swordfish & Shark	Did not affect catch	In the wild
California	Gillnets	Acoustic pingers	Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters)	Reduced bycatch	Swordfish & Shark	Did not affect catch	In the wild