Bycatch

Black ink on paper. Colar and texture added digitally.​

Many species are victim of bycatch (accidental captures) during fishing activities. This might occur with different types of fishing gear, where these species get caught up in nets or by hooks. One of the most common reasons for this to happen (apart from the fact that some fishing gear is highly unselective and very effective on passing undetectable) is because the bait that is used in certain types of fishing, attracts not only the target species but also others that share the same prey. One of the species that suffers from this impact is the Balearic shearwater, which is considered to be the most threatened marine bird in Europe.

Nowadays scientists along with fishers themselves are working together in order to develop new technology and less invasive and more selective fishing gear in order to minimize this threat. Nevertheless, bycatch is still a major problem.