Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction is a partnership between science and industry to reduce bycatch of threatened marine animals.

Background

The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction brings together experts in marine biology, engineering and fishing to identify and develop practical solutions for reducing bycatch.

Collaborative Research

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.

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 clearing house of information on bycatch reduction methods.

Partners in Bycatch Reduction

The New England Aquarium administers the consortiums 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.

Annual Meetings

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.

Results and Successes

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.