By Catch Collection
"Unseen Victims: The Tragic Consequences of Bycatch" Gulls, particularly the Slaty-backed Gulls Larus schisisogus, gather on a quay in Hokkaido, Japan during winter
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"Unseen Victims: The Tragic Consequences of Bycatch" Gulls, particularly the Slaty-backed Gulls Larus schisisogus, gather on a quay in Hokkaido, Japan during winter. Their feast? Dead starfish dumped by fishing trawlers. This scene is just one example of the devastating impact of bycatch. In our oceans, marine creatures face an invisible threat as they become entangled or mistakenly caught in fishing gear. From majestic swordfish captured in longlines off St. Peter and St. Pauls rocks in Brazil's Atlantic waters to blue sharks ensnared in gill nets, their lives are cut short due to this unintentional capture. Even gentle giants like the Minke whale fall victim to human activities. A heartbreaking sight was witnessed off Scotland's Hebrides when a minke whale struggled with plastic packing tape wrapped around its upper jaw and blowhole - a stark reminder of how our waste can harm these magnificent beings. Drift nets pose another danger as they trap unsuspecting marine life in shallow waters like Negros Island in the Philippines' Visayan Sea. As fishermen venture closer to reefs driven by increasing demand for fish, irreparable damage is inflicted upon delicate ecosystems that take years to recover. The illegal trading of turtle shells further highlights the dark side of humanity's relationship with nature. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's fish market, these beautiful creatures suffer at the hands of greed and ignorance. Closer to home on California's Pacific coast, even beloved sea lions endure unimaginable pain caused by discarded fishing gear cutting into their necks within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary - a tragic consequence of careless practices. Bycatch remains an urgent issue that demands attention and action from all stakeholders involved in fisheries management worldwide, and is crucial that we find sustainable solutions that prioritize both livelihoods and conservation efforts so that future generations can witness thriving oceans teeming with life, rather than being haunted by the ghosts of bycatch.