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Bycatch refers to the incidental capture of non-target species during fishing operations. This unintended catch can include a wide variety of marine life, such as fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and invertebrates. The species caught as bycatch are often discarded, either dead or dying, back into the ocean, though they may be kept for other purposes depending on regulations and marketability.

The extent of bycatch varies significantly depending on the fishing gear used, the area of operation, and the target species. Certain fishing methods, like trawling and gillnetting, are known to have higher rates of bycatch compared to others, such as pole-and-line fishing. Bycatch poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity. It can deplete populations of vulnerable or endangered species, disrupt food webs, and impact the sustainability of commercial fisheries by removing fish before they can reach reproductive age.

Efforts to reduce bycatch are ongoing and include developing more selective fishing gear, implementing time and area closures to avoid sensitive habitats or periods of high species abundance, and using deterrent devices. Regulations and management strategies often aim to minimize bycatch and its ecological consequences while still allowing for sustainable fishing.