Safe Handling of Bycatch
WHAT IS SAFE HANDLING OF BYCATCH?
Safe handling (and release) of bycatch (SHR) relates to protocols for managing bycaught species aimed at reducing trauma and mortality. It refers to the removal of live bycaught animal entangled in fishing gear using appropriate methods for physical handling, as well as techniques for manoeuvring vessels to avoid hauling or causing harm (see backdown procedure).
SHR techniques vary between the types of gear used and the bycatch species. For some gears and species, it may be possible to release bycatch directly from the net or line without bringing the animal on deck. For purse seine or trawl fishing operations, bringing larger species alongside the vessel can aid in-water release by enabling fishers to hold and roll the animal outside of the net; for smaller species, a dip net can be used to remove the animal. If brought on deck, sea turtles, seabirds and smaller sharks can be returned to the water by hand, whereas equipment such as a canvas and crane may be needed to manoeuvre larger sharks.
The Bycatch Management Information System maintains an extensive library of SHR techniques in multiple languages and covering multiple species (marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and sharks, skates, and rays) and gear types. “At a glance” advice can also be found for sharks, for skates and rays, and for seabirds.
Across the world, SHR is advised and should be followed, to contribute to the safety of fishing crews as well as to increase the chances of survival of bycaught species. However, the emphasis should remain on preventing entanglement and bycatch from occurring in the first place.
Source: Poisson et al. 2012
CURRENT RESEARCH & USE
Sharks: Fishermen in various countries and fisheries are required to apply SHR protocols when fishing, including the western and central Pacific purse seine tuna fishery. In La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, a project exploring innovations in bycatch handling techniques has identified that post-release survival of sharks caught on longlines can be significantly improved by cutting the longline branch line as close to the hook as possible, and by releasing the animal before it is hauled onboard the vessel. The latest innovations in SHR for sharks include a selection of bycatch release devices, such as release ramps, stretchers, shark velcros, hoppers, lower deck gutters, mobulid sorting grids, and straps, as developed and tested with a tropical tuna purse seine fishery.
Skates and rays: : Work with Patagonian toothfish longline fisheries in the Southern Indian Ocean has led to the development of a condition assessment method to help fishers determine whether bycaught skates or rays brought onboard are likely to survive release, and photograph-based guidance for safe handling and release.
Seabirds: No official trials for the safe handling of bycaught seabirds have been conducted to date, but it is recommended that SHR techniques should be implemented wherever possible.
Large cetaceans and other large animals: In the UK, the Scottish Entanglement Alliance has been working with the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation to identify ways to reduce the risk of entanglement of large marine animals (specifically basking sharks, whales, and leatherback turtles). They have produced guidance to fishermen to raise awareness and to improve understanding of entanglement and what to do when an entanglement happens.
This page was last updated on 03.07.25.
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