Acoustic alarms reduce porpoise mortality

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Citation: Kraus, S.D., A.J. Read, A. Solow, K. Baldwin, T. Spradlin, E. Anderson and J. Williamson., 1997. Acoustic alarms reduce porpoise mortality. Nature, 388, ps 525.
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Summary:

Acoustic alarms reduce bycatch of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Gulf of Maine sink gillnet fishery. Gillnets with and without acoustic alarms caught similar quantities of target species, cod and pollock. Acoustic alarms did not affect catch of bycaught silver hake, but Atlantic herring was caught less frequently in experimental nets with alarms. Harbour seals depredated fish caught in both nets with and without acoustic alarms.
Field Studies:
Location Fishing gear Reduction technique Bycatch species Effect on bycatch species Catch Effect on target catch Type
United States Gillnets Acoustic pingers Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters) Reduced harbor porpoise bycatch Multiple species Effect varied by species In the wild
United States Gillnets Acoustic pingers Pinnipeds Seals depredated nets with and without pingers Multiple species Effect varied by species In the wild