Novel tools to reduce seabird bycatch in coastal gillnet fisheries

Acoustic pingers reduced the bycatch of the Common Murre (Uria aalge) in the Puget Sound salmon drift gillnet fishery, but they did not reduce bycatch of the rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). Reduction of target species catch was not significant. White gillnet mesh panels in the upper portion of the net reduce the bycatch of seabirds (Common Murres and Rhinoceros Auklet) in the Puget Sound salmon drift gillnet fishery. Rhinoceros Auklet bycatch was only reduced in 50-mesh visual alert nets. The white mesh panels decreased salmon catch in 50-mesh but not in 20-mesh.