Understanding Bycatch: The Hidden Cost of Commercial Fishing
Bycatch represents one of the most significant threats to marine biodiversity today. When commercial fishing vessels cast their nets or set their longlines, they often capture more than their target species. These unintended catches—known as bycatch—can include endangered sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, seabirds, and juvenile fish of various species. The environmental impact is substantial: according to marine conservation estimates, global bycatch amounts to approximately 40% of the world's total catch, representing roughly 38 million tons of marine life unintentionally caught and often discarded annually.
For the tuna industry specifically, conventional fishing methods like purse seining and longline fishing are particularly problematic. These methods can result in bycatch rates of up to 35% of the total catch in some regions, threatening vulnerable species and disrupting delicate marine ecosystems that have taken millennia to develop.
The Pole-and-Line Difference: A Time-Tested Sustainable Method
Pole-and-line fishing (also known as pole-catching) stands in stark contrast to industrial fishing methods. This traditional technique involves fishermen using individual poles and lines to catch tuna one at a time. When a school of tuna is located, fishermen use poles with barbless hooks to catch the fish, which are then immediately brought aboard.
The key sustainability advantage is simple yet profound: selective harvesting. Each fish is individually caught, allowing for:
- Immediate identification of species, preventing the accidental harvest of non-target fish
- On-the-spot release of any undersized tuna or wrong species that might occasionally take the bait
- Virtually zero impact on other marine species that would typically be caught in nets or on longlines
- Minimal disturbance to the surrounding marine habitat and ecosystem
This method, while more labor-intensive, represents fishing at its most environmentally responsible—a practice that has sustained coastal communities for generations while maintaining healthy tuna populations.
The Environmental Impact: Comparing Fishing Methods
When examining different tuna fishing techniques through an environmental lens, the contrast becomes clear. Industrial methods like purse seining with Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) can result in bycatch rates of 15-20% of the total catch, while longline fishing can be even more problematic with bycatch sometimes exceeding 25% of the catch.
Pole-and-line fishing, however, achieves bycatch rates of less than 1% in most operations. This dramatic difference translates to thousands of marine animals—including threatened and endangered species—being spared every year for each vessel that switches to pole-catching methods.
Beyond the direct bycatch statistics, pole-and-line fishing eliminates the habitat destruction associated with methods like bottom trawling, which can devastate seafloor ecosystems. It also prevents the "ghost fishing" phenomenon, where lost or abandoned nets and gear continue to trap and kill marine life for years.
Species Protected Through Pole-Caught Methods
Marine Mammals
Dolphin mortality has been historically linked to certain tuna fishing practices, particularly purse seining in the Eastern Tropical Pacific where dolphins and tuna often swim together. Pole-and-line fishing eliminates this concern entirely, as the method doesn't involve encircling groups of fish (and whatever might be swimming with them) in large nets.
Other marine mammals including whales and seals also benefit from pole-catching practices. These animals frequently become entangled in conventional fishing gear, leading to injury or death. The one-at-a-time approach of pole-and-line fishing presents no such risk.
Sea Turtles and Sharks
All seven species of sea turtles are currently listed as either threatened or endangered, with fishing bycatch representing one of the leading causes of mortality. Similarly, shark populations worldwide have declined dramatically, with an estimated 100 million sharks killed annually—many as unintended bycatch.
Both these vulnerable groups gain significant protection from pole-and-line fishing practices:
- Sea turtles are completely uninvolved in the pole-catching process, as they don't pursue the same bait or lures used for tuna
- Sharks, while occasionally attracted to fishing operations, are not caught on the specialized barbless hooks designed specifically for tuna
- The ability to immediately release any accidentally hooked animals ensures their survival rate remains high
- The absence of lengthy soak times (the period fishing gear remains in the water) dramatically reduces the risk of interaction with these species
Seabirds: The Overlooked Victims of Industrial Fishing
Seabirds represent some of the most threatened bird groups globally, with albatross species being particularly vulnerable. Longline fishing alone is estimated to kill hundreds of thousands of seabirds annually when they dive for baited hooks and become caught.
Pole-and-line operations significantly reduce this risk through several mechanisms:
- The visual nature of the fishing process allows fishermen to see and avoid seabird interactions
- The short fishing time and immediate retrieval of lines prevents extended periods where birds might become hooked
- The specialized bait presentation methods used in pole-fishing are less attractive to seabirds than longline baits
These factors combine to make pole-caught tuna virtually "seabird-safe," providing protection for these ecologically important and increasingly threatened species.
Certification and Verification: Ensuring True Bycatch Reduction
For consumers concerned about marine conservation, reliable verification of fishing methods is crucial. Legitimate pole-caught tuna operations participate in rigorous certification programs that validate their low-bycatch claims.
Organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the International Pole & Line Foundation provide standards and certification processes that include:
- Independent observer programs that verify fishing methods and bycatch rates
- Chain of custody requirements ensuring certified tuna isn't mixed with non-certified catches
- Regular audits and assessments of fishing operations and practices
- Traceability systems allowing consumers to verify the source of their tuna
American Tuna stands at the forefront of these certification efforts, maintaining complete transparency in their pole-catching operations and setting industry standards for verifiable sustainability claims and minimal bycatch impacts.
The Consumer's Role in Protecting Marine Life
Every tuna purchase represents a vote for a particular fishing method and its environmental impact. When consumers choose pole-caught tuna, they actively contribute to marine conservation efforts in multiple ways:
- Creating market demand for low-bycatch fishing methods
- Supporting fishing communities that maintain traditional, sustainable practices
- Reducing pressure on vulnerable marine species affected by industrial fishing
- Encouraging industry-wide shifts toward more selective fishing techniques
The cumulative effect of these consumer choices can transform the fishing industry, shifting incentives toward practices that maintain marine biodiversity while still providing the seafood products people enjoy.
Supporting Sustainable Fishing with American Tuna
American Tuna has maintained a commitment to both environmental responsibility and premium quality. Their dedication to sustainable fishing practices goes beyond simply reducing bycatch—it encompasses a holistic approach to ocean stewardship.
By utilizing traditional pole-and-line methods, American Tuna provides consumers with a way to enjoy delicious, nutritious tuna while knowing they're supporting marine conservation efforts. Each can represents fish caught with minimal environmental impact and maximum respect for ocean ecosystems.
Ready to make a difference with your seafood choices? Visit americantuna.com today to explore their full range of pole-caught tuna products and learn more about their sustainability commitments. Your purchase not only provides an exceptional culinary experience but also helps protect vulnerable marine species for generations to come.