Sivusaalit

Sivusaalit is a Finnish term that translates to "side catches" or "incidental catches" in English. It refers to the unintended capture of non-target species during fishing operations. This phenomenon is a significant concern in fisheries management worldwide, as it can impact the populations of various marine and freshwater organisms, including fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles.

Various fishing gears can lead to sivusaalit, depending on the target species and the environment. For instance, trawling nets can catch a wide range of species, while gillnets can entangle diving birds or marine mammals. Longlines may incidentally catch seabirds or turtles that are attracted to the bait.

The ecological consequences of sivusaalit can be substantial. It can lead to overexploitation of vulnerable or endangered species, disrupt marine ecosystems, and affect the economic viability of fisheries by reducing the catch of target species or damaging fishing gear. In response to these concerns, fisheries management bodies implement measures to mitigate sivusaalit. These can include modifying fishing gear to be more selective, establishing fishing seasons and areas to avoid sensitive habitats or periods of high bycatch, and implementing reporting requirements for incidental catches. Research into selective fishing techniques and the development of deterrents are ongoing efforts to reduce the impact of sivusaalit on non-target species.