Some observations on the science of bycatch

Bycatch forms some component of the catch of almost all fishing activities, although there are fisheries in which the bycatch and discard rates are extremely low and which have little known effects on targets or non-target species. Nevertheless, the impact of retained and discard portions of bycatch can result in an increased mortality on target and non-target species reducing their numbers, and in some instance threatening and endangering affected stocks. Bycatch may result in alteration in the ecosystem or ecological complex as a result of the high death rates of some target species. A cursory history of bycatch issues and progress being made towards a reduction in its capture and lowering of the discard mortality is provided.