Reducing bycatch of juvenile and unwanted fish species

Bycatch of other fish can also be a problem for the trawling industry but does tend to be lower where one species is specifically targeted. Best practice measures to reduce bycatch of juvenile and unwanted fish species include: 

• Using long line or purse seine methods to harvest fish rather than trawling
• Using shorter more carefully targeted trawls
• Using larger mesh-sizes for nets to enable juveniles to escape
• Using square mesh which does not close when towed
• Providing escape hatches in the nets
• Not fishing in areas where juveniles predominate the catch

Last updated at 4:08PM on November 23, 2017