Stanford researchers compile resources on bycatch

Sea turtle trapped in a fishing net (Credit: Doug Helton/NOAA)

Ocean fishing operations commonly snag marine animals by accident, which is one of the largest threats to some endangered species, including sea turtles.

As a step toward fixing the problem, researchers from Stanford University have put together a map and dataset that they say gives a comprehensive view of bycatch worldwide, according to a release.

To put the resources together, the scientists analyzed hundreds of studies and reports published between 1990 and 2008. The results of their work, available in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, will help other researchers looking at bycatch across different species and regions.

Image: Sea turtle trapped in a fishing net (Credit: Doug Helton/NOAA)