bycatch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bycatch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of fishing to refer to the unintended capture of non-target species while fishing for a specific target species. Example: "The fisherman was concerned about the high levels of bycatch in his nets, as it included many endangered species."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many more whales and dolphins die each year through pollution, bycatch, ship-strike: who is going to legislate for them?

The Guardian - Opinion

But according to Dr Damodaran, a food scientist, this so-called "bycatch" could be rescued from its watery grave and put to work in quite a different form.All fish, bycatch or not, are a rich source of protein.

The Economist

Dr Damodaran begins by macerating a load of bycatch and extracting this protein from it.

The Economist

Alternatively, more use could be made of what is known as "bycatch".

The Economist

It is a common "bycatch", trapped in snares set for sambar and muntiac deer and civets, whose meat is prized in Vietnam and Laos and whose other body parts the Chinese relish for their purported medicinal properties.

The Economist

All this means there is little bycatch.

The Economist

They may also die as bycatch from commercial fishing operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Threatened by direct overfishing, accidental capture (bycatch) in other fisheries, and the destruction of their coastal habitats, some species such as the Pacific sea horse (H. ingens)—face extinction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Well, we're killing about 100 million sharks every year, 11,000 an hour, either for the Chinese soup trade (where the de-finned shark is chucked back into the sea to sink and die on the bottom) or as bycatch.

Independent

Some species, such as the barn door skate, have been inadvertently overfished nearly to extinction as a consequence of bycatch in fisheries targeting cod and redfish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many sharks perish as bycatch, but increasingly they are being hunted for their fins, a delicacy in China and a lucrative commodity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental impacts of fishing, use "bycatch" to highlight the unintended capture and potential harm to non-target species.

Common error

Avoid using "bycatch" solely in reference to fish. The term includes any non-target marine life, such as sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds, that are unintentionally caught during fishing operations.

Linguistic Context

The term "bycatch" primarily functions as a noun, referring to unintentionally caught species. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is correct and usable in written English. It can also function as a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "bycatch" is a noun that refers to unintentionally caught marine species during fishing. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific reports, indicating its relevance in discussions about environmental conservation and fisheries management. Alternative terms include "incidental catch" and "non-target species". When discussing the ecological consequences of fishing practices, using "bycatch" effectively highlights the unintended harm to marine life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incidental catch

Focuses on the accidental nature of the catch.

accidentally caught species

Directly describes the event of accidentally catching various species.

non-target species

Highlights that the caught organisms were not the intended target.

unintended marine life

Emphasizes the accidental capture of various forms of sea life.

collateral catch

Draws a parallel to collateral damage, indicating unintended harm.

associated catch

Suggests a catch that occurs alongside the targeted species.

unwanted catch

Focuses on the lack of desire for the caught organisms.

discarded catch

Highlights the act of throwing away the unintentionally caught species.

secondary catch

Indicates a catch of lesser importance compared to the primary target.

non-commercial species

Stresses the lack of economic value of the caught organisms.

FAQs

What is "bycatch" in the context of fishing?

"Bycatch" refers to the fish or other marine species that are unintentionally caught when fishing for specific target species, often resulting in their discard.

What are some alternatives to the word "bycatch"?

You can use alternatives like "incidental catch", "non-target species", or "unintended catch" depending on the context.

Why is "bycatch" a problem in the fishing industry?

"Bycatch" contributes to the decline of non-target species populations, disrupts marine ecosystems, and leads to wasteful fishing practices.

How can the amount of "bycatch" be reduced?

Strategies to reduce "bycatch" include using more selective fishing gear, implementing bycatch reduction devices, and establishing bycatch limits in fisheries management.