unwanted marine creatures that are caught in the nets while fishing for another species; "thousands of dolphins and porpoises and whales are killed as part of the by-catch each year"
Species unintentionally caught in fisheries directed at another species.
In fishing the part of the catch taken incidentally. Usually discarded.
Species taken in a fishery targeting on other species or on a different size range of the same species. That part of the bycatch which has no human value is discarded and returned to the sea, usually dead or dying
Non-targeted species that are caught with the targeted species
Fish or shellfish that are not targeted in a fishery but are caught incidentally. Having little or no commercial value, these animals are discarded and assumed dead.
This is the fish and other marine life that are incidentally caught with the targeted species in a fishery. Bycatch is typically discarded dead at sea, and includes seabirds, marine mammals, turtles, juveniles of the targeted species, and even fish sought after in other fisheries. It is estimated that one-quarter of the global fishery catch is discarded each year as bycatch.
species taken incidentally in a fishery where other species are the target. Some bycatch species are of lesser value than the target species, so are often discarded (‘trash' species), but other bycatch species have some commercial value (‘byproduct') and are retained for sale (see also non-target species).
the catch of species other than those targeted by fishing activity
Bycatch refers to all non-targeted catch, including discards and anything killed as a result of gear interaction. Note that in some cases bycatch can also include by-product.
fishes, or any other animals, that are accidentally caught in fishing gear
species taken incidentally in a fishery were other species are the target; bycatch species may be of lesser value than the target species, and are often discarded as “trash” species.
The harvest of fish or shellfish other than the species for which the fishing gear was set. Examples are blue crabs caught in shrimp trawls or sharks caught on a tuna longline. Bycatch is also often called incidental catch. Some bycatch is kept for sale.
Incidental or unintended catch of nontarget species.
Unwanted fish or other animals caught in fishing nets by accident. Bycatch is usually thrown back dead or dying.
fish and/or other marine life that are incidentally caught with the targeted species. Most of the time bycatch is discarded at sea.