What is bycatching? Fishermen sometimes catch and discard animals they do not want, cannot sell, or are not allowed to keep. This is collectively known as “bycatching.” Bycatching can be fish, but also includes other animals such as dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and seabirds that become hooked or entangled in fishing gear.  For NOAA Fisheries, bycatching refers to“discarded catch of marine species and unobserved mortality due to a direct encounter with fishing vessels and gear.” These unintentionally caught animals often suffer injuries or die.

Her are some reasons why we should stop bycatching:

The hooks (commonly called “J hooks”) cause problems for marine turtles when swallowed, usually resulting in death. If nothing is done about it, sea turtles may go extinct!

Like the aqua farming industry, industrial fishing also has devastating environmental impacts. If nothing is done this will destroy the ecosystem!

Fish are dying at a non sustainable rate, here's an example: In the 1770s, the average amount per fishing group in the Caribbean was 1 ton of fish per day. Now that's the same amount that they catch per year.

In conclusion, bycatching is a big threat that most people are NOT taking seriously!!

For more information on the harmful impact of bycatching on our planet, watch this video on Netflix.
https://www.netflix.com/title/8101400
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/251