Incidental capture of non-target species in fishing gear, or bycatch, is an threat to many populations of marine megafauna. Understanding where, when, and to what extent bycatch occurs is key to addressing the most pressing conservation issues and to recovering reduced populations of animals like sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds.
Our recent research has shown that measures to rebuild fisheries around the world could halt or reverse population declines of protected species taken as bycatch, such as birds, mammals, and turtles. In recent years, I’ve also served as a reviewer for programs that promote environmentally responsible fishing and seafood production.
I got my start in bycatch and fisheries work with the huge and hugely talented team of Project GloBAL at Duke University led by Becca Lewison, Larry Crowder, Andy Read and Pat Halpin. This is the area of my research that I’m most interested in growing because of so many fascinating intersectional issues of biology, physiology, governability at multiple scales, and equity and justice.
Publications:
Protecting marine mammals, turtles, and birds by rebuilding global fisheries
Global hotspots of marine megafauna bycatch
Global bycatch impacts on marine turtle populations (see related media coverage)
Cumulative estimates of marine turtle bycatch in USA fisheries (see related media coverage)
Global patterns of marine turtle bycatch (see related media coverage)
Reproductive values of loggerheads in bycatch worldwide
Marine megafauna conservation via bycatch mitigation
bryan wallace 