Bycatch relates to any animal which is not the target species of the fishery or which is surplus to quotas on size or catch. As most fisheries are not discriminatory enough to just catch the target species, all methods produce a level of bycatch. This can include other fish species, sea birds, turtles and marine mammals. Due to the nature of food web dynamics in the oceans, many species are found in association with their prey and are subsequently at risk of entanglement.

Every year, tens of thousands of dolphins, whales and porpoises are caught in fishing operations throughout the world. This high level of incidental take represents the biggest threat to the survival of many species. They are at risk of entanglement in most fisheries, although bottom-set gill and tangling nets and bass pair pelagic trawls represent the greatest threat. The industrial pelagic trawl cannot choose what it catches and rakes up everything in its path, therefore, thousands of tons of fish which are not the target species for that particular trawl are thrown back into the ocean.

Unfortunately the dolphins, for reasons which we do not yet understand, become entangled in these nets. Unable to reach the surface to breathe the dolphins drown and die, often breaking their beaks and teeth in a desperate attempt to reach the surface. Other animals, found dead on the beaches show net marks or severe crushing injuries caused by the hauling of the nets. Many others have been stabbed or have their stomachs slit open in an attempt to make them sink, whilst others are missing their tail, fins or even their head.

The winter months bring with them numerous dead dolphins on our beaches, whilst the numbers may appear high, accordingly to scientists this may represent only 10% of the total number of individuals killed in this way. The rest simply never make it onto the beach.

Many years ago when the public were made aware of the effect that drift nets were having on dolphins, there was outrage. When footage of dolphins being encircled and drowning in tuna nets was publicly aired, there was a dramatic fall in consumer demand for tuna fish. European consumers must now put pressure on politicians, commercial fishermen's organisations, supermarkets and fish processors, if the lives of thousands of dolphins and whales are to be saved. If you are going to buy Sea Bass, ask where and how it was caught!

For far too long now, mankind has been unconcerned about what we drag out of the oceans, assuming it is an infinite resource, but it is time we all learned to value the ocean ecosystems before it is too late.

The Marine Connection is actively campaigning against dolphin bycatch. Through education and raising awareness of the problem we will prevent further needless deaths.