Overview:

Bycatch is a word that is commonly used in discussion of fishing and sustainable fish stocks. Bycatch refers to the non-targeted species that are caught by fishing vessels or juveniles that that have not reached reproductive maturity. The amount and type of bycatch is dependent on the type of fishing method use and the species that is targeted.

It is a problem that severely threatens our oceans by disrupting their natural balance. Many species of fish, mammals and amphibians are threatened by this issue.

Examples:
Shrimp Trawling
Is known for is very high rate of by catch in some circumstances being as high as 20 units of by catch for every one unit of shrimp. Shrimp trawling is only responsible for two percent of the world’s catch by weight, but is responsible for about thirty percent of bycatch. Often this bycatch is returned to the sea dead or dying, and is thus wasted.
Albatross
All of the 21 species of Albatross are currently at risk. Over 100,000 Albatross are caught every year by vessels that are setting long lines. The albatross chase after the bait on the hooks, and subsequently drowned.
Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are already critically endangered and they currently face threats from trawling activities as well as gillnets.
A problem for all.

You can make a difference
Bycatch is an issue that is hard for the average consumer to deal with, as the information is not readily available. However, when a specfici problem is identified, consumers can collectively make a big difference. When it was found that hundreds of thousands of dolphins were being killed through bycatch of the canned tuna industry, consumer pressure in the U.S and Europe were able to change practices to save the lives of dolphins. Vote with your wallet.