: 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
Many are caught as bycatch in fisheries, while others are directly targeted for consumption.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
These turtles are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing nets and, during the 1940s to the 1960s, were often harvested for their meat and skin.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which oversees the regulations for fish caught in federal waters, recommended an annual bycatch total of 100,000 − well above the 22,000 limit the advisory council sought in a motion on April 8.
—Lucas E. Wright, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024
These magnificent rays are at risk of disappearing due to targeted fishing, being caught as bycatch, and climate change.
—Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2025
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.
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
These turtles are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing nets and, during the 1940s to the 1960s, were often harvested for their meat and skin.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which oversees the regulations for fish caught in federal waters, recommended an annual bycatch total of 100,000 − well above the 22,000 limit the advisory council sought in a motion on April 8.
—Lucas E. Wright, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024
These magnificent rays are at risk of disappearing due to targeted fishing, being caught as bycatch, and climate change.
—Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 18 Feb. 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 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share