Mitigating Bycatch: Insights from Key Stakeholders in Commercial Fisheries

Bycatch in commercial fisheries remains a significant environmental issue, with global implications for biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Despite various mitigation measures available, their adoption by fisheries in Argentina is inconsistent. This study examines the social factors influencing the implementation of bycatch mitigation measures within Argentina's offshore bottom trawl fleet. Through qualitative analysis of 29 stakeholder interviews—including fishers, executives, government managers, researchers, and NGOs—four main barriers were identified: perceptions of mitigation measures as cumbersome and ineffective, inadequate regulatory enforcement, and the cultural norms of local fishing communities. Additionally, stakeholders highlighted the need for improved governance, greater stakeholder collaboration, and enhanced educational outreach as essential for increasing uptake of these measures. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the human dimension in bycatch reduction strategies, with the aim of fostering more sustainable and widely accepted fishing practices.