: the portion of a commercial fishing catch that consists of marine animals caught unintentionally
Examples of bycatch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists are still studying Greenland shark genetics for insights into aging and DNA repair, but the species’ extreme vulnerability to bycatch means conservation efforts may determine whether these centuries-old animals keep swimming.
—
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The primary threat to the species is from small-scale and subsistence fishing operations, which capture the Ganges shark as bycatch.
—John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
Shark bycatch causes costly loss of gear and adds risk to crew members who must handle and release sharks that are still alive.
—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
See All Example Sentences for bycatch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The primary threat to the species is from small-scale and subsistence fishing operations, which capture the Ganges shark as bycatch.
—John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
Shark bycatch causes costly loss of gear and adds risk to crew members who must handle and release sharks that are still alive.
—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
See All Example Sentences for bycatch
Cite this Entry
“Bycatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bycatch. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
