The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction is a partnership between science and industry to reduce bycatch of threatened marine animals.
The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction brings together experts in marine biology, engineering and fishing to identify and develop practical solutions for reducing bycatch.
Bycatch is a complex and difficult problem, but solutions do exist. The Consortium supports research to better understand how endangered non-target species interact with commercial and recreational fishing gear and to develop innovative solutions to reduce the rate of bycatch.
The Consortium meets annually in an international gathering of fishermen and scientists interested in creating realistic and effective wildlife bycatch solutions. Participants share research findings and encourage innovation in bycatch reduction research. View the 2009 research presentations.
By supporting innovative thinking, research and information-sharing across the commercial fishing industry, we have encouraged the development of new fishing gear and practices that aim to reduce the risk of bycatch to non-targeted species.
Developing Best Practices
The Consortium promotes the exchange of information on an international scale about best practices in bycatch reduction. This is done through an annual meeting, gear workshops, publications and an online clearinghouse of information on bycatch reduction methods.
Partners in Bycatch Reduction
The New England Aquarium administers the Consortium's work program. Members of the Consortium are the Blue Water Fishermen's Association, Duke University, Maine Lobstermen's Association and the University of New Hampshire.
Reducing Conflicts Between Fisheries & Protected Species in North Carolina - Year 2 (pdf 1 MB)
Fishing Techniques to Reduce the Bycatch of Threatened Marine Animals (pdf 5.0 MB)
Acoustic alarms reduce porpoise mortality (pdf 158.5 KB)