GITNUXREPORT 2025

Bycatch Statistics

Bycatch accounts for 10-50% of global fish catch, harming species, ecosystems.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Gillnets are particularly problematic, causing an estimated 300,000 seabird deaths per year worldwide

Statistic 2

Estimates show that bycatch of juvenile fish can account for up to 30% of the total catch in some industrial fisheries

Statistic 3

The economic cost of bycatch is significant, with estimates of annual global revenue loss due to unmarketable bycatch exceeding $5 billion

Statistic 4

Bycatch in small-scale fisheries is often underreported, but estimates suggest it accounts for a significant portion of the total unreported catches globally

Statistic 5

Fishers often discard unwanted catch, which can include up to 20% of their total catch depending on regulations and target species

Statistic 6

The accidental catch of sharks represents roughly 20% of global shark mortality, with bycatch being a primary cause

Statistic 7

The implementation of bycatch mitigation measures has increased in recent decades, but compliance remains a challenge, with estimates indicating only 60-70% adherence in some regions

Statistic 8

Globally, about 10-15% of the total catch in fisheries is estimated to be bycatch

Statistic 9

It is estimated that over 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises are unintentionally caught annually in fishing gear worldwide

Statistic 10

Shrimp trawl fisheries are responsible for approximately 40% of all marine mammal bycatch globally

Statistic 11

Approximately 4.3 million metric tons of bycatch are discarded annually, with about 40% being completely wasted

Statistic 12

Bycatch constitutes up to 50% of total catch in certain tropical trawl fisheries

Statistic 13

The bycatch rate in some purse seine fisheries targeting tuna can be as high as 25%

Statistic 14

The use of TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) has reduced sea turtle bycatch in shrimp fisheries by over 97% in certain regions

Statistic 15

In 2018, the global catch of discarded fish was estimated at 7.3 million tons, contributing significantly to bycatch concerns

Statistic 16

About 70% of the world's fishing gear has been estimated to be non-selective, contributing to high bycatch rates

Statistic 17

The use of circle hooks in longline fisheries has led to a 50% reduction in sea turtle bycatch compared to traditional J-hooks

Statistic 18

Bycatch of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) accounts for nearly 25% of global shark catches and is a major conservation concern

Statistic 19

In some Pacific Island fisheries, bycatch can be as high as 50% of total catch, affecting seabird, sea turtle, and marine mammal populations

Statistic 20

Bottom-set gillnets have been linked to high incidences of sea turtle bycatch, prompting calls for gear modifications or bans in sensitive areas

Statistic 21

The global value of species affected by bycatch, including seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles, exceeds $25 billion annually, considering ecological and economic factors

Statistic 22

There is evidence that deploying real-time bycatch monitoring systems improves compliance and reduces accidental catches by approximately 25%

Statistic 23

Marine spatial planning that designates protected zones can decrease bycatch by up to 35% in high-risk areas, according to recent studies

Statistic 24

Bycatch can also lead to the decline of benthic habitats, as discarded gear and unprocessed catch cause physical damage, affecting ecosystem health

Statistic 25

Fishery bycatch impacts extend beyond ecology; the loss of economically valuable species due to bycatch can result in billions of dollars of revenue loss annually

Statistic 26

Marine debris from discarded fishing gear, a form of bycatch, accounts for approximately 10% of ocean plastic pollution, threatening wildlife and ecosystems

Statistic 27

The Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries have a high bycatch rate, with estimates that more than 50% of total catch quantity is unintentional

Statistic 28

The use of selective fishing gear has been promoted internationally, with some regions reporting up to a 50% decrease in bycatch rates

Statistic 29

The European Union's landing obligation aims to reduce discards and bycatch by requiring fishers to land all caught species, leading to a 20% reduction in discards in some areas

Statistic 30

In the U.S., the Magnuson-Stevens Act has led to a 22% decline in bycatch of highly migratory species through improved gear and management practices

Statistic 31

Seabird bycatch is responsible for the deaths of over 300,000 seabirds annually, mainly albatrosses and petrels

Statistic 32

In the North Atlantic, bycatch of Atlantic salmon in net fisheries has decreased by approximately 80% since the implementation of shrimp trawl bycatch reduction devices

Statistic 33

Bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries accounts for up to 70% of the total catch of certain benthic species in some regions

Statistic 34

Longline fisheries are responsible for significant seabird bycatch, especially in albatross and petrel species, with some regions reporting up to 70% of these species' mortalities linked to fishing gear

Statistic 35

Marine protected areas with strict enforcement can reduce bycatch mortality by up to 50%, especially for vulnerable species like sharks and rays

Statistic 36

In the Mediterranean Sea, bycatch constitutes approximately 35% of total catch in some fishing areas, impacting species such as small pelagics and benthic fish

Statistic 37

Bycatch of swordfish in certain fisheries has been reduced by 35% through spatial and temporal fishing restrictions

Statistic 38

Discarded bycatch can alter the population dynamics of fish stocks, leading to potential decreases of up to 15% in certain species over a decade

Statistic 39

The adoption of TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery has prevented over 1 million sea turtle deaths since their mandatory introduction

Statistic 40

Bycatch mortality can cause local extinctions, especially for endangered species such as vaquitas, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining

Statistic 41

The length of the fishing season influences bycatch levels, with shorter seasons often leading to reduced bycatch mortality, especially for migratory species

Statistic 42

Certain bycatch species, like the vaquita porpoise, are critically endangered, with fishing equipment being the primary threat, and fewer than 10 individuals remaining

Statistic 43

In some Atlantic fisheries, bycatch of juvenile hake and cod can comprise up to 35% of the total catch, impacting stock recovery efforts

Statistic 44

Bycatch of marine megafauna, including whales, dolphins, and seals, represents an estimated 3% of global fishing mortality, but still causes significant population declines

Statistic 45

The introduction of bycatch mitigation policies in Australia’s prawn fisheries has led to a 95% decrease in turtle bycatch since 2000

Statistic 46

Some trawl fisheries have implemented bycatch reduction devices, resulting in an average reduction of 40% in bycatch mortality

Statistic 47

Innovative fishing gear, such as pingers and acoustic deterrents, has been shown to reduce cetacean bycatch by up to 60% in some fisheries

Statistic 48

Some modern fishing vessels are equipped with electronic monitoring and cameras, reducing illegal bycatch and discards by roughly 20% in certain fleets

Statistic 49

The adoption of size-selective nets can reduce juvenile catch by up to 70%, contributing to sustainable fish populations

Statistic 50

The Taiwanese tuna longline fishery has reported bycatch reduction of seabirds by 60% after implementing bird-scaring lines

Statistic 51

In some small-scale artisanal fisheries, gear modifications have been shown to lower bycatch rates by up to 80%, highlighting cost-effective conservation measures

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Key Highlights

  • Globally, about 10-15% of the total catch in fisheries is estimated to be bycatch
  • It is estimated that over 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises are unintentionally caught annually in fishing gear worldwide
  • Shrimp trawl fisheries are responsible for approximately 40% of all marine mammal bycatch globally
  • Approximately 4.3 million metric tons of bycatch are discarded annually, with about 40% being completely wasted
  • Bycatch constitutes up to 50% of total catch in certain tropical trawl fisheries
  • The bycatch rate in some purse seine fisheries targeting tuna can be as high as 25%
  • Seabird bycatch is responsible for the deaths of over 300,000 seabirds annually, mainly albatrosses and petrels
  • Gillnets are particularly problematic, causing an estimated 300,000 seabird deaths per year worldwide
  • The use of TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) has reduced sea turtle bycatch in shrimp fisheries by over 97% in certain regions
  • In the North Atlantic, bycatch of Atlantic salmon in net fisheries has decreased by approximately 80% since the implementation of shrimp trawl bycatch reduction devices
  • The European Union's landing obligation aims to reduce discards and bycatch by requiring fishers to land all caught species, leading to a 20% reduction in discards in some areas
  • Bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries accounts for up to 70% of the total catch of certain benthic species in some regions
  • Estimates show that bycatch of juvenile fish can account for up to 30% of the total catch in some industrial fisheries

Did you know that up to 15% of the world’s fish catch is unintentional bycatch, leading to the deaths of over 300,000 whales, dolphins, and seabirds annually, with some regions experiencing bycatch rates as high as 50%, and despite recent mitigation efforts, this unintended catch continues to threaten marine biodiversity and cost the global economy billions each year?

Bycatch Statistics

  • Gillnets are particularly problematic, causing an estimated 300,000 seabird deaths per year worldwide
  • Estimates show that bycatch of juvenile fish can account for up to 30% of the total catch in some industrial fisheries
  • The economic cost of bycatch is significant, with estimates of annual global revenue loss due to unmarketable bycatch exceeding $5 billion
  • Bycatch in small-scale fisheries is often underreported, but estimates suggest it accounts for a significant portion of the total unreported catches globally
  • Fishers often discard unwanted catch, which can include up to 20% of their total catch depending on regulations and target species

Bycatch Statistics Interpretation

While Gillnets ruthlessly claim 300,000 seabird lives annually and bycatch in industrial fisheries slashes up to 30% of juvenile fish with a worldwide revenue drain exceeding $5 billion, the true scope remains veiled by underreporting and discards—making the ocean's unintended casualties not just a tragedy, but an economically costly oversight.

Bycatch Statistics and Impacts

  • The accidental catch of sharks represents roughly 20% of global shark mortality, with bycatch being a primary cause

Bycatch Statistics and Impacts Interpretation

The unintended consequence of fishing—sharks making up about one-fifth of their own demise—underscores how our fishing practices are turning sharks into unwitting victims of a global catch-22.

Bycatch statistics

  • The implementation of bycatch mitigation measures has increased in recent decades, but compliance remains a challenge, with estimates indicating only 60-70% adherence in some regions

Bycatch statistics Interpretation

While efforts to curb bycatch have improved, the fact that nearly one-third of fishing activities still ignore mitigation measures underscores that sustainable fishing practices are more a work in progress than a completed task.

Environmental Impact and Bycatch Statistics

  • Globally, about 10-15% of the total catch in fisheries is estimated to be bycatch
  • It is estimated that over 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises are unintentionally caught annually in fishing gear worldwide
  • Shrimp trawl fisheries are responsible for approximately 40% of all marine mammal bycatch globally
  • Approximately 4.3 million metric tons of bycatch are discarded annually, with about 40% being completely wasted
  • Bycatch constitutes up to 50% of total catch in certain tropical trawl fisheries
  • The bycatch rate in some purse seine fisheries targeting tuna can be as high as 25%
  • The use of TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) has reduced sea turtle bycatch in shrimp fisheries by over 97% in certain regions
  • In 2018, the global catch of discarded fish was estimated at 7.3 million tons, contributing significantly to bycatch concerns
  • About 70% of the world's fishing gear has been estimated to be non-selective, contributing to high bycatch rates
  • The use of circle hooks in longline fisheries has led to a 50% reduction in sea turtle bycatch compared to traditional J-hooks
  • Bycatch of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) accounts for nearly 25% of global shark catches and is a major conservation concern
  • In some Pacific Island fisheries, bycatch can be as high as 50% of total catch, affecting seabird, sea turtle, and marine mammal populations
  • Bottom-set gillnets have been linked to high incidences of sea turtle bycatch, prompting calls for gear modifications or bans in sensitive areas
  • The global value of species affected by bycatch, including seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles, exceeds $25 billion annually, considering ecological and economic factors
  • There is evidence that deploying real-time bycatch monitoring systems improves compliance and reduces accidental catches by approximately 25%
  • Marine spatial planning that designates protected zones can decrease bycatch by up to 35% in high-risk areas, according to recent studies
  • Bycatch can also lead to the decline of benthic habitats, as discarded gear and unprocessed catch cause physical damage, affecting ecosystem health
  • Fishery bycatch impacts extend beyond ecology; the loss of economically valuable species due to bycatch can result in billions of dollars of revenue loss annually
  • Marine debris from discarded fishing gear, a form of bycatch, accounts for approximately 10% of ocean plastic pollution, threatening wildlife and ecosystems
  • The Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries have a high bycatch rate, with estimates that more than 50% of total catch quantity is unintentional

Environmental Impact and Bycatch Statistics Interpretation

Despite making up 10-15% of global fisheries' catch—equivalent to millions of innocent marine creatures and billions in economic loss—bycatch remains a stubborn ghost in the machine, reminding us that sustainable fishing demands smarter gear, better regulations, and perhaps a little more tuna to leave the whales and turtles in peace.

Fishery Practices and Gear Usage

  • The use of selective fishing gear has been promoted internationally, with some regions reporting up to a 50% decrease in bycatch rates

Fishery Practices and Gear Usage Interpretation

While the promotion of selective fishing gear has successfully slashed bycatch rates in some regions by up to half, it also highlights the ongoing need for global commitment to sustainable fishing practices that truly prioritize ecological harmony.

Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Measures

  • The European Union's landing obligation aims to reduce discards and bycatch by requiring fishers to land all caught species, leading to a 20% reduction in discards in some areas
  • In the U.S., the Magnuson-Stevens Act has led to a 22% decline in bycatch of highly migratory species through improved gear and management practices

Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Measures Interpretation

While the EU's landing obligation and the U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Act demonstrate promising progress in curbing bycatch—reducing discards by up to 22%—these statistics remind us that sustainable fishing is a relentless pursuit, requiring persistent innovation and vigilance to prevent unintended ecological 'extras' from slipping through the net.

Species-Specific Bycatch Data and Impacts

  • Seabird bycatch is responsible for the deaths of over 300,000 seabirds annually, mainly albatrosses and petrels
  • In the North Atlantic, bycatch of Atlantic salmon in net fisheries has decreased by approximately 80% since the implementation of shrimp trawl bycatch reduction devices
  • Bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries accounts for up to 70% of the total catch of certain benthic species in some regions
  • Longline fisheries are responsible for significant seabird bycatch, especially in albatross and petrel species, with some regions reporting up to 70% of these species' mortalities linked to fishing gear
  • Marine protected areas with strict enforcement can reduce bycatch mortality by up to 50%, especially for vulnerable species like sharks and rays
  • In the Mediterranean Sea, bycatch constitutes approximately 35% of total catch in some fishing areas, impacting species such as small pelagics and benthic fish
  • Bycatch of swordfish in certain fisheries has been reduced by 35% through spatial and temporal fishing restrictions
  • Discarded bycatch can alter the population dynamics of fish stocks, leading to potential decreases of up to 15% in certain species over a decade
  • The adoption of TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices) in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery has prevented over 1 million sea turtle deaths since their mandatory introduction
  • Bycatch mortality can cause local extinctions, especially for endangered species such as vaquitas, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining
  • The length of the fishing season influences bycatch levels, with shorter seasons often leading to reduced bycatch mortality, especially for migratory species
  • Certain bycatch species, like the vaquita porpoise, are critically endangered, with fishing equipment being the primary threat, and fewer than 10 individuals remaining
  • In some Atlantic fisheries, bycatch of juvenile hake and cod can comprise up to 35% of the total catch, impacting stock recovery efforts
  • Bycatch of marine megafauna, including whales, dolphins, and seals, represents an estimated 3% of global fishing mortality, but still causes significant population declines
  • The introduction of bycatch mitigation policies in Australia’s prawn fisheries has led to a 95% decrease in turtle bycatch since 2000

Species-Specific Bycatch Data and Impacts Interpretation

Despite remarkable progress like an 80% reduction in Atlantic salmon bycatch and a 95% plunge in turtle deaths in Australian prawn fisheries, over 300,000 seabirds—including albatrosses and petrels—still meet their doom annually in the nets, highlighting that our fishing practices remain akin to a high-stakes roulette with marine life, where every statistic underscores the urgent need for smarter, more compassionate conservation measures.

Technological Innovations and Mitigation Strategies

  • Some trawl fisheries have implemented bycatch reduction devices, resulting in an average reduction of 40% in bycatch mortality
  • Innovative fishing gear, such as pingers and acoustic deterrents, has been shown to reduce cetacean bycatch by up to 60% in some fisheries
  • Some modern fishing vessels are equipped with electronic monitoring and cameras, reducing illegal bycatch and discards by roughly 20% in certain fleets
  • The adoption of size-selective nets can reduce juvenile catch by up to 70%, contributing to sustainable fish populations
  • The Taiwanese tuna longline fishery has reported bycatch reduction of seabirds by 60% after implementing bird-scaring lines
  • In some small-scale artisanal fisheries, gear modifications have been shown to lower bycatch rates by up to 80%, highlighting cost-effective conservation measures

Technological Innovations and Mitigation Strategies Interpretation

While innovative gear and vigilant monitoring have notably slashed bycatch rates—sometimes by over 70%—the challenge remains for widespread adoption, reminding us that sustainable fishing requires both technology and commitment to turn these promising figures into global norms.