: the portion of a commercial fishing catch that consists of marine animals caught unintentionally
Examples of bycatch in a Sentence
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Shark bycatch causes costly loss of gear and adds risk to crew members who must handle and release sharks that are still alive.
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Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Additionally, there is the risk of entanglement in fishing nets, particularly in areas with intense fishing activity, resulting in bycatch, the incidental capture of nontarget species.
—Rodrigo Tardin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
That means enforcing bycatch limits, regulating fishing effort, and improving monitoring on the high seas.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
These may include divers, spearfishermen, or people who come into contact with sharks, or bites occurring while removing sharks caught as bycatch.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
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Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Additionally, there is the risk of entanglement in fishing nets, particularly in areas with intense fishing activity, resulting in bycatch, the incidental capture of nontarget species.
—Rodrigo Tardin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
That means enforcing bycatch limits, regulating fishing effort, and improving monitoring on the high seas.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
These may include divers, spearfishermen, or people who come into contact with sharks, or bites occurring while removing sharks caught as bycatch.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bycatch
Cite this Entry
“Bycatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bycatch. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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