The Truth About Bycatch

Bycatch is one of the most closely monitored and actively managed aspects of Alaska's fisheries.

Bycatch is monitored, measured, and actively managed in Alaska's fisheries.

What Is Bycatch?

Understanding Bycatch

Bycatch refers to fish or other marine species that are caught while harvesting a target species.

Bycatch can occur in every type of fishery, from commercial to recreational.

Alaska’s fisheries are designed to monitor, minimize, and manage bycatch through strict science-based regulations.

How It Works

1

Target Catch

Vessel targets a specific species (e.g., pollock)

2

Unintended Catch

Other species may be incidentally caught

3

Monitoring

Observers and sensors record every haul

4

Management

Regulators act on real-time data to minimize impact

Measured, Not Guessed

Alaska Measures Bycatch

Alaska's fisheries operate under one of the most comprehensive monitoring systems in the world.

Observers on Vessels

Independent observers collect biological data and report catch information directly from fishing vessels.

Electronic Monitoring

Cameras and sensors track fishing activity continuously throughout each trip.

Catch Accounting

Every haul is recorded and tracked in near real time, creating a precise accounting of all species caught.

Managing Bycatch

Bycatch Limits and Protections

Fisheries managers use strict limits and real-time management tools to minimize bycatch.

Hard Caps

Some species have strict bycatch limits that can close fisheries if reached.

Seasonal Closures

Fishing areas may be closed during certain times of year to protect vulnerable species.

Hotspot Avoidance

Fishermen voluntarily avoid areas where bycatch concentrations are occurring in real time.

Gear Innovation

New technologies and gear designs are continuously developed to reduce unintended catch.

Bycatch Trends

Alaska's bycatch management has delivered measurable results over time — driven by innovation, regulation, and fleet cooperation.

30%

Bycatch Reduction

Bycatch reduced 30% since 2013

~100%

Observer Coverage

Nearly 100% monitoring on Alaska's pollock trawlers

Hard limits

Salmon Bycatch Caps

enforced with fleet-wide closures

Ongoing

Gear Innovation

new technologies continuously deployed

Science-Based Management

Salmon and Bycatch

Salmon are a culturally and economically important species in Alaska. Fisheries managers take salmon bycatch seriously — using strict limits, monitoring, and real-time management tools to reduce salmon bycatch and protect stocks.

Salmon Caps

Hard annual limits on how many salmon can be incidentally caught before fisheries are closed.

Seasonal Adjustments

Fishing seasons are timed and adjusted to reduce overlap with salmon migration routes and peak runs.

Fleet Cooperation

Vessels share real-time data and voluntarily coordinate to avoid high-bycatch areas.

Myths vs Reality

Setting the Record Straight

Claim

"Trawl fisheries discard massive amounts of fish."

Reality

Alaska fisheries track catch carefully, and most catch is retained and used. Discard rates are among the lowest of any major commercial fishery in the world.

Claim

"Bycatch is unregulated."

Reality

Alaska has some of the strictest bycatch management rules in the world, enforced by NOAA and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Claim

"Bycatch isn't monitored."

Reality

Observers, electronic monitoring, and catch accounting track fishing activity closely — often in near real time.

Why This Matters

Responsible Fisheries

Managing bycatch is an ongoing effort that involves fishermen, scientists, regulators, and communities working together.

Alaska’s management system is designed to balance sustainable fisheries with protecting marine ecosystems — for current and future generations.

The Bottom Line

Bycatch is a real challenge — and Alaska takes it seriously. The state's comprehensive monitoring and management system is a model for responsible fisheries management worldwide.

Sources

Ask Us for Sources

Every claim on this page is supported by government data, peer-reviewed research, and annual catch reports. Key sources include: