Report: Ocean Biodiversity in California Threatened by Set Gillnet Fishery
A report released April 17 by two environmental entities contends that the set gillnet fishery targeting halibut and white seabass off Southern California is threatening the health and diversity of the ocean ecosystem.
The gillnets are injuring and killing myriad ocean animals, including rare and vulnerable species, while the fishery remains largely unmonitored, according to Oceana and the Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN). Their analysis concludes that the fishery throws overboard 64% of animals caught, which ranks its untargeted catch as among the highest bycatch of any fishery in the country.
Caitlynn Birch, a Pacific marine scientist with Oceana, said the set gillnet fishery is clearly a risk to the health and resilience of California’s oceans.
As climate change continues t...