← HumanConsumption.Live Bycatch (Non-target Animals)
estimated individuals globally
Consumption Rates
Based on an annual estimate of approximately 500,000,000,000, derived from Oceana / FAO.
312,209,631,928
so far this year (est.)
Bycatch refers to non-target marine animals caught and killed unintentionally during commercial fishing. Estimates range from 300-800 billion individuals annually, derived from tonnage data and average species sizes.
Consumption by Region
Key Statistics
Estimated annual bycatch
~40%
Of global catch
Sharks killed as bycatch
~50 million/year
Sea turtles caught
~250,000/year
Dolphins/porpoises
~300,000/year
Seabirds killed
~400,000/year
Shrimp trawling ratio
5:1
Bycatch to shrimp
Discarded at sea
Most bycatch
Longline hooks set
~1.4 billion/year
Ghost fishing
640,000+ tons
Lost gear
Albatross deaths
~100,000/year
From longlines
Juvenile fish caught
Billions
Ecosystem impact
Cascading
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bycatch (non-target animals) are estimated individuals each year?
Based on annual estimates, approximately 500,000,000,000 bycatch (non-target animals) are estimated individuals globally each year.
How many bycatch (non-target animals) are estimated individuals per day?
Approximately 1,369,863,013 bycatch (non-target animals) are estimated individuals per day worldwide, based on an annual estimate of 500,000,000,000.
How many bycatch (non-target animals) are estimated individuals per second?
Approximately 15,854 bycatch (non-target animals) are estimated individuals per second — equivalent to 951,293 per minute and 57,077,625 per hour.
Which region accounts for the largest share of bycatch (non-target animals) estimated individuals?
Asia-Pacific accounts for approximately 45% of global bycatch (non-target animals) estimated individuals.
Context Beyond the Numbers
Approximately 40% of the global marine catch is bycatch, representing hundreds of billions of animals killed unintentionally each year.
For every pound of shrimp caught by trawling, up to 5 pounds of other marine life is killed and typically discarded.
Bycatch is a leading cause of mortality for several endangered dolphin, whale, and sea turtle species.
Longline fishing kills approximately 100,000 albatrosses annually, contributing to population declines across multiple species.
Lost and abandoned fishing gear, known as ghost nets, continue killing marine animals for decades after being discarded.
Observer coverage on commercial fishing vessels is often less than 5%, meaning bycatch is significantly underreported.
Related Statistics