Bycatch is typically defined as the “incidental capture of non-target species” during fishing operations. Incidental means the catch was unavoidable and non-target species are any species caught that were not the intended catch. Non-target species include a wide range of oceanic life that vary in size as well as reproductive rates such as sea birds, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, benthic invertebrates and much more. Since bycatch encompasses such a diverse group of species who are all impacted by different fishing practices, the potential natural and social impacts of bycatch are endless.

Natural impacts of bycatch are hard to differentiate from other external drivers like climate change and overfishing. However, it cannot be denied that bycatch impacts the population numbers of the species involved. Bycatch interactions include the animal becoming entangled in nets as well as coming into physical contact with boats and other gear during fishing operations. The animal may become injured and/or die either from the initial impact or die later due to the sustained injuries. The fishing gear can also stay attached to bycatch species like dolphins and cause deformities which impact their ability to catch food and survive. However, the animals involved in bycatch are not the only ones impacted as fishers are also directly involved in these interactions.

Social impacts of bycatch are especially evident in fisher communities who directly depend on the fish they catch for their livelihoods. Bycatch interactions can leave fishers with broken gear and nets, as well as damage to the catches themselves. Fishers are not given proper support to deal with bycatch interactions and are left feeling angry and frustrated with their broken gear as well as scared for the safety of the bycatch species. Fishers want to be able to keep bycatch species safe, yet still need to be able go out and fish to provide for themselves and their families. Since bycatch is considered unavoidable, it makes sense that we need to help fishers adapt to increased rates of bycatch by providing them with the support they need to manage bycatch.