Dolphins

• Dolphins are a well-know and loved species that is a victim of fishing nets. Large seine nets set out using a pilot boat are dropped into the ocean around swarming tuna schools. Dolphins, who feed on the same fish that tuna do, become entangled in these nets and often die. In response to public outcry, some tuna companies promote their brands to be dolphin-friendly; however, "by catch" still remains an issue among seine boats.
  
  

Habitat Destruction

• The ocean bottom is a finely tuned landscape with plants that feed smaller fish, which in turn feed larger fish. Rocks and other features also provide cover for shellfish and areas for some species to lay their eggs, thus continuing the life cycle. A trawler net, which is dropped to the bottom and dragged across the ocean floor, destroys these areas, wiping them clean of vegetation of structure. This leaves no area for fish to repopulate and continue their life cycle.
  
  

Phantom Fishing

• Phantom fishing (also called ghost fishing) is another destructive byproduct of fishing nets. This occurs when a net is lost or dropped into the ocean. The net might entangled larger species and capture smaller fish as it falls. On the ocean floor, nets will continue to ensnare bottom feeders such as cod and sharks. A floating seine net lost at sea causes problems for fish swimming near the surface. They are caught in the net and often unable to get free.
  
  

Gill Nets

• A gill net is dragged through the water by a commercial fishing boat, ensnaring fish by the gills. These nets are not selective and kill dozens of other species while in use. The nets must be dragged across a large area to capture enough fish, which means more species are affected by their use. Gill netters are also part of the habitat problem, as their nets can become snagged on bottom structure and in some cases must be cut free, therefore lost to the ocean.
  
  

Action

• Government agencies have taken action to reduce the effects of "by catch" and the damage created by fishing nets. In Australia, a government by catch management program is in effect. It has created Bycatch Action Plans that provide Bycatch Reduction Devices, or BRDs, to reduce the effects of by catch. One of the BRDs is the Super Shooter, used on trawl nets. This provides an escape hole for larger animals in the "codend" (the rear section) of the trawl net.