Nylon barium sulphate gillnet reduces porpoise and seabird mortality

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Citation: Trippel, E.A., N.L. Holy, D.L. Palka, T.D. Shepherd, G.D. Melvin, and J.M. Terhune, 2003. Nylon barium sulphate gillnet reduces porpoise and seabird mortality. Marine Mammal Science, 19(1), ps 240-243.
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Summary:

Metal oxide nets containing barium sulphate (that increased their acoustic reflectivity and probably also their stiffness) reduced the bycatch of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in an eastern Canada demersal gillnet fishery. No difference in catch of commercial fish species, including cod, pollock, haddock, and spiny dogfish, was observed between the nylon and barium sulphate nets.

Metal oxide nets reduced the bycatch of greater shearwater (Puffinus gravis) in an eastern Canada demersal gillnet fishery, probably by increasing the visibility of the blue-dyed nets to the birds.
Field Studies:
Location Fishing gear Reduction technique Bycatch species Effect on bycatch species Catch Effect on target catch Type
Canada Gillnets Metal oxide/barium sulfate nets Small Cetaceans (maximum length < 7.5 meters) Reduced harbor porpoise bycatch Multiple species No difference in catch In the wild
Canada Gillnets Metal oxide/barium sulfate nets Seabirds Reduced bycatch Multiple species Did not affect target catch In the wild