Science AMA Series: Hi Reddit! I’m NOAA scientist Lee Benaka. I work to
reduce bycatch in U.S. ocean fisheries to ensure that our fisheries
remain sustainable and that protected species are given their
Abstract
Hello Reddit! I’m Lee Benaka (Fishery Management Specialist, NOAA
Fisheries Office of Science and Technology). While U.S. fisheries are
among the world’s most sustainable, bycatch is a complex, global issue
that threatens the sustainability and resiliency of our fishing
communities, economies, and ocean ecosystems. NOAA Fisheries works hard
to minimize bycatch in U.S. fisheries, ensuring our fisheries remain
sustainable and protected species are given their best chance to
recover. Bycatch occurs when fishermen catch and discard animals that
they do not want, cannot sell, or are not allowed to keep. Discarded
catch represents loss of opportunity for fishermen and too frequently,
loss of marine life, which can impact vulnerable ecosystems and slow the
rebuilding process for overfished stocks or place protected species at
further risk. NOAA Fisheries works with fishermen, scientists, and
managers to mitigate the negative effects of bycatch by developing
innovative fishing gear and tracking bycatch through regular data
collection. Bycatch is an issue that impacts the overall health of our
oceans and the sustainability of our seafood industry. If you want to
learn more about bycatch and how it can be reduced, this is your chance.
I’ll be back at 10 am EST (7 am PST, 3 pm UTC) to answer your questions,
Ask me anything! We are out of time, but I want to thank you for taking
the time to join us for this Reddit AMA and asking your questions about
bycatch. I was really impressed by the variety of great questions, as
well as the respectful and helpful responses from other participants. I
certainly learned a lot this morning! If you’re interested in learning
more about bycatch and the work NOAA Fisheries and others are doing to
reduce bycatch, please visit some of the following sites: Bycatch Portal
[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/bycatch/index.html]
Draft National Bycatch Strategy
[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/bycatch/strategy.html]
National Bycatch Report First Edition Update 2
[http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/observer-home/first-edition-update-2]
2014 BREP Report to Congress
[http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/sfa/publications/feature_stories/2016/brep-2014-rtc.html]
2016 BREP Funding Opportunity
[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/bycatch/brep.html]
Bycatch video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz8q6uHSdmg]
Leadership Message
[http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/aboutus/leadership/feb_2016_leadership_message_tackling_bycatch.html]
Bycatch 101
[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/fisheries_eco/bycatch/bycatch-101.html]
Bycatch Bites
[http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2016/02/bycatch_bites.html]
AMA Landing Page
[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2016/02/reddit_ama_bycatch.html]
Inspiring Students through Fisheries Bycatch Research
[http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/stories/021182016_fisheries_bycatch_research.html]