Active Forum Topics

1. Citations for studies that pertain to bycatch reduction approaches.
2. Summaries of the findings for each study.
3. Descriptions of bycatch reduction techniques.
4. Descriptions of fishing methods.
5. Links to studies and study authors, where available.

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction was founded in 2004 by Duke University, Maine Lobstermen's Association, New England Aquarium, and University of New Hampshire. Blue Water Fishermen's Association joined the Consortium shortly thereafter. Administered by Dr.

Add a study to the database using our quick and simple template

If you're logged in, you can click here to add a study

Register for an Account or Login

First, if you haven’t already, you will need to register for an account. 

Principal Investigators

Michael Simpkins, Chief, Protected Species Branch, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Service

Tim Werner, Director, Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction, New England Aquarium

Place holder only

How Serious is Bycatch?  

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:166:]]    Researchers at the New England Aquarium (NEAq) work with  
    the Consortium to assess the survivability of bycatch animals.
    It is extremely stressful for a marine creature to be caught,
    hauled onto a boat, sorted and then released back into the

  
[[wysiwyg_imageupload:165:]]    The New England Aquarium collaborates with the Consortium 
    for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction to research and develop new
    and innovative fishing devices and methods that reduce the
    threat of bycatch to sea turtles, large whales, sharks and other
    marine animals.

Modifications to fishing gear can significantly mitigate bycatch without reducing a fishermen’s target catch.  To read about more examples of gear modifications search the Bycatch Reduction Technique Database.  The Consortium works with scientists and fishermen to test gear modifications that have the potential to reduce bycatch, while maintaining target catch, minimizing cost, and preserving fishermen’s safety.  

Acoustic Pingers

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction conducts research to understand the nature of interactions between endangered non-target species and fishing operations.

Short-finned Pilot Whales and False Killer Whales

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Bycatch regulations, research, monitoring, and engineering carried out by the National Marine Fisheries Service of the United States. 

NOAA's Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program   

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
A global assessment of fisheries bycatch and discards  

The Database Includes:

• Citations for studies that pertain to bycatch reduction approaches.
• Summaries of the findings for each study.
• Descriptions of bycatch reduction techniques.
• Descriptions of fishing methods.
• Links to studies and study authors, where available.

How to Search:

Users can search the database by fishing gear, bycatch reduction technique, or non-target wildlife group singly or in combination. This is achieved by selecting items from the drop-down menu on the initial search page.

First, if you haven’t already, you will need to register at www.bycatch.org. Simply input your contact information and your registration will be approved by the website Administrator.

Contact us with questions or comments at: bycatchdotorg@gmail.com

Techniques for Reducing Marine Mammal-Gillnet Bycatch Workshop, October 17-20, 2011, Woods Hole, MA, USA.

The workshop will be held in Clark 507 located in the Quissett Campus of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Accommodation will be covered for the nights of October 16-19 at the Inn on the Square (Falmouth, MA), and a shuttle bus will be available for transportation to and from the Inn and WHOI.