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http://www.wakeproject.net/?q=node/21 |
This picture gives you a glimpse at what bycatch is.
Bycatch is the accidental capture of non-targeted species such as dolphins, marine turtles, sharks, and seabirds. It happens when fisherman set out their ginormous nets that catch anything and everything that it sweeps over. These nets are very useful for catching large quantities of specific species of marine life, but also catch many other unintended species in the process.
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http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/wicked-tuna/articles/still-waters-the-global-fish-crisis/ |
While some regulations have passed concerning bycatching, many places around the world can still bycatch with no punishment. In New Zealand the Maui's dolphin population is roughly sitting at only 100 dolphins. This is due to the entanglement of many dolphins in fishing nets.
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http://www.medicinehunter.com/deep-trouble
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The least harmful method of fishing is pole and line, and trolling. These two ways of fishing are virtually bycatch free. Pole and line fishing has been practiced for years, but the amount of fish caught is very small. This is why huge fishing industries tend to not use pole and line. Troll fishing is when fisherman catch fish by towing a a baited hook behind a slow moving boat. Like pole and line fishing, troll fishing does not bring in big numbers of fish.
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Pole and Linehttp://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/campaigns/oceans/get-involved/ |
Luckily there are advances in fishing technologies to ensure the least amount of bycatch possible. There are also disincentives such as if fisherman catch so much of a non-intended species, they will be penalized. All of these regulations are improving the numbers of bycatches.
Sources:
"Fishing Problems: Bycatch." WWF.panda.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
"The Wild Way." On The Boat. Wild Planet, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
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