The overall aim of changing how people fish is to reduce pressure on fish stocks, support their ability to recover and reduce by-catch (fish or other marine species caught unintentionally while trying to catch another type of fish).

The problem of by-catch is significant for birds as well as fish and marine species. It is estimated that 200,000 seabirds may die each year in the EU after being accidentally entangled in fishing nets (Mitchel, 2024).

Click on each list item below to learn more about what hanging fishing practices could include:

• Changing the way fish are caught

  By using different fishing equipment, or by using less harmful fishing methods that don’t disturb the seabed. Line and pole fishing is far less destructive than bottom trawling.

• Changing the amount and type of fish caught

  Such as by using large nets that allow juvenile fish to escape, grow, reproduce and replenish the fish stocks.

White tailed sea eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla, from fishing boat, on sea eagle safari tours in the Stettin lagoon, Poland, Oder river delta. Credit: Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe.