Novel tools to reduce seabird bycatch in coastal gillnet fisheries

Acoustic pingers reduced the bycatch of the Common Murre (Uria aalge) in the Puget Sound salmon drift gillnet fishery, but they did not reduce bycatch of the rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). Reduction of target species catch was not significant. White gillnet mesh panels in the upper portion of the net reduce the bycatch of seabirds (Common Murres and Rhinoceros Auklet) in the Puget Sound salmon drift gillnet fishery. Rhinoceros Auklet bycatch was only reduced in 50-mesh visual alert nets. The white mesh panels decreased salmon catch in 50-mesh but not in 20-mesh.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
Washington State	Gillnets	Acoustic pingers	Seabirds	Variable depending on seabird species	Salmon	Reduction of target catch was not significant	In the wild
Washington State	Gillnets	Opaque mesh netting	Seabirds	Reduced bycatch but results varied by mesh size	Salmon	Effect on target catch varied by mesh size	In the wild