Home / Environment / Fishnets Get a Glow-Up: Lights Cut Bycatch Dramatically
Fishnets Get a Glow-Up: Lights Cut Bycatch Dramatically
21 Jul
Summary
- Green LED lights on gillnets reduced unwanted bycatch by 63%.
- Target fish catches and market value remained unaffected by lights.
- Nets with lights cut retrieval and disentanglement time by 57%.
Coastal fisheries are implementing a simple yet effective innovation to combat bycatch. Researchers found that attaching battery-powered green LED lights to gillnets drastically reduced the accidental capture of non-target marine animals. In trials conducted along Mexico's Baja California coast, these illuminated nets decreased bycatch biomass by 63%.
The study, published in Current Biology, highlighted that catches of vulnerable species like sharks, skates, and rays fell by 95%. Humboldt squid and unwanted finfish bycatch also saw significant reductions. Crucially, the green lights did not deter target fish such as halibut and grouper.
Beyond environmental benefits, the illuminated nets offered practical advantages for fishing crews. Retrieval and disentanglement time was reduced by 57%, saving over an hour per trip. This operational improvement prevented gear damage and enhanced deck safety.
Scientists hypothesize the green light's wavelengths may be visible to larger animals, helping them detect and avoid nets. Coastal communities in Latin America and Southeast Asia are now testing these lights, with conservation groups and authorities in Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, and Australia collaborating on these trials.
