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This study evaluated the catch performance and selectivity of artisanal (local wood, 1 inch wire mesh) and innovative (stainless steel frame, polyethylene mesh, 2 inch mesh size, funnel entrances) fish traps deployed in the coastal waters of Batu Rakit, Malaysia across three depths (10, 15, and 20 meters). The artisanal trap had a higher total catch than the innovative trap, although target catch levels did not significantly differ between the two trap designs (48.36% and 47.76% of total catch, respectively). However, total bycatch abundance (both retained and discarded bycatch) was significantly lower in the innovative trap (discarded bycatch was 5.97% of total catch in comparison to 30.52%). 

Researchers analyzed publicly-reported interaction data submitted to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission covering 239 false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) interaction events from tuna purse seine vessels associated with China, Taiwan, Micronesia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, and Nauru during the periods 2016-2020 and 2023-2024. The study combined fishery records with environmental variables such as sea-surface temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll concentration, and water depth to identify which factors were most strongly associated with at-vessel mortality. Fleet identity was the strongest predictor of mortality, followed by year-to-year differences. Environmental conditions and geographic location explained very little of the variation in mortality rates. Operational practices, including earlier detection of trapped animals, reducing animal crowding and compression within nets, and faster and more effective release procedures may help improve mortality risk of small cetaceans in industrial tuna purse seine fisheries. 

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, experience, and perceptions of sea turtle bycatch practices among fishers in Brunei. Knowledge and use of bycatch mitigation practices varied according to sociodemographic characteristics and fishing locations. Targeted education, awareness programs and fisheries management interventions are recommended to improve fishers’ knowledge and adoption of bycatch mitigation measures, 

This study examined the overlap between grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) foraging behavior and offshore set-net fisheries using tracking data from 164 individuals tagged across the UK, Ireland, and France. Grey seals were more likely to transition from travelling to foraging behavior in or near areas with high fishing activity. This relationship was stronger in male grey seals compared to females. However, only 4.5% of recorded foraging activity occurred within 5 km of potential set-net locations, and 33-41% of seals that passed within 5-10 km of fishing activity did not switch to foraging behavior. These findings suggest that seals encounter nets opportunistically while foraging in areas that are also targeted by set-net fisheries, rather than actively seeking out fishing gear. The results provide important context for understanding seal-fishery interactions and support the use of targeted management measures, including deterrents, gear modifications, operational adjustments, and area closures to reduce opportunistic net attendance and mitigate associated conflicts such as depredation and bycatch.

The study evaluated the size selectivity and catch efficiency of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) pots in the Barents Sea equipped with three different circular escape gaps (95 mm, 100mm, and 105 mm) compared to standard pots under two different soak times (4 days and 6 days). The use of escape gaps in addition to standard netting reduced the capture of small crabs and improved size selectivity. Larger escape gaps were more effective in releasing smaller crabs, particularly in the shorter soak time, however, catch of small, but target-sized crab was also reduced. 

This study estimated the source signal level of four models of acoustic pingers: yellow Fisktek (BP-FR), red Fishtek (BP-FR High Power), white Future Oceans Netguard, and red Future Oceans Netshield. Fishtek pingers produced "chirp"-like signals spanning ~50-150 kHZ. Future Oceans pingers produced more stable frequency signals with a stronger harmonic content extending to 200 kHZ. The dominant one-third octave band for all tested pingers was 63 kHZ, which aligns well with harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) heating sensitivity. Detection ranges using a hydrophone were highly dependent on environmental conditions and receiver placement, particularly hydrophone depth. Realistic detection distances ranged from several hundred meters to several kilometers. 

Tangle nets are the main fishing gear used to target crayfish (Palinurus elephas) in Irish coastal waters, however, this method can result in significant bycatch of protected and endangered species. This study tested the efficacy of using traps (pots) in the fishery.  Rectangular Aquamesh pots, with a top entry bucket and parlor, and top entry D shaped pots with parlors, had higher catches and higher catch of crab and lobster than other pot types. However,  the standard top entry bucket, single chamber (no parlor) pot was used in fishing trials in order to follow a short soak time, frequent hauling, and lower input cost fishing strategy. The top entry pots are also already commonly used to target spider crabs (Maja brachydactyla).  Pots selected larger crayfish than tangle nets and the proportion of undersized crayfish was
generally lower in pots than in nets. Pots caught more lobsters (Homarus gammarus) than nets. However, after accounting for month, year, and soak time, tangle nets generally achieved higher catch per unit effort, landings per unit effort, and value per unit effort than pot. Nevertheless, switching to pot gear may have several advantages, including (1) elimination of bycatch of protected and critically endangered species, (2) minimizing mortality of catch, (3) better selectivity, (4) higher vitality of crayfish, reducing loss during storage and transport, (5) potential for environmental accreditation, and (6) lower input costs than fishing tangle nets. 

This study investigated how the distributions of tuna and billfish species change across space and time in the western and central North Pacific Ocean and assessed alternative time-area closure strategies for conserving striped marlin (Kajikia audax). Researchers compared two hotspot indicators for identifying closure areas, an IMLS indicator, which defined hotspots based on average striped marlin density, and an IR indicator, which defined hotspots using the ratio of striped marlin density relative to six target species. Modeling indicated that using the IR indicator to define time-area closures reduced striped marlin catch while causing smaller reductions in target catch. However, tradeoffs between catch and bycatch avoidance varied seasonally. These results indicate that effective closure design depends on both the level of multispecies overlap as well as seasonal variation. 

Researchers assessed overlap between loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) foraging habitats with pelagic longline fisheries across the western Indian Ocean from 2017-2020.  Loggerhead foraging habitats varied regionally and seasonally, as did overlap with longlining, however, overall, a large proportion of fishing effort occurred well inside core foraging habitats. This indicates that effective spatial avoidance would require displacing fishing activity far beyond habitat boundaries. Dynamic spatial management may more effectively reduce turtle-fishery overlap. 

This study evaluates hook-size effects on catch characteristics, maturity composition, selectivity, and management performance for red tilefish (Branchiostegus japonicus) longline fisheries off Jeju Island, Korea, using experimental fishing surveys. Fish length increased proportionally with hook size. Hook 11 (See Figure 3 in Yoon et al., 2026) for hook dimensions) maximized productivity, with the highest mean biomass CPUE, while Hook 14 more successfully balanced conservation (reduced bycatch and fewer immature fish) and productivity.