By-catch for Dummies
noun
What does By-catch really mean?
Hey there! Let me tell you all about what "by-catch" means in the simplest way possible, using easy and not complex words. So, imagine you are fishing in the ocean, hoping to catch some tasty fish for dinner. But wait, there's a twist! When you throw your net into the water and start pulling it back, you end up catching more than just the fish you wanted. That extra stuff you unintentionally catch along with the fish is called "by-catch."
Now, let's break it down even further. By-catch refers to the unwanted sea creatures, like turtles, dolphins, or even smaller fish, which get caught up in fishing nets or lines that were not intended to catch them. It's kind of like when you go to pick up a specific toy from a box, but you accidentally grab a bunch of other toys along with it. In this case, the fisherman's main goal is to catch a particular type of fish, but other marine species are unintentionally caught as well.
Did you know that by-catch happens because many fishing methods, like large nets or long lines, are not very selective? They can't distinguish between the fish that fishermen want to catch and the ones they don't. So, when these fishing gear are used, they end up catching a wide variety of sea creatures, both the target species and the unintended catch.
Now, there are two different definitions of by-catch, so let's explore them both. The first definition, which we just talked about, refers to the non-targeted species of marine animals that get caught alongside the intended catch.
The second definition of by-catch is a bit different. It's when a fishing vessel accidentally catches fish or other marine creatures that are too small, immature, or below the legal size limit for fishing. Imagine if you were trying to bake cookies, but you accidentally put some dough that wasn't quite ready into the oven. That dough wasn't ready to become a delicious cookie yet, just like those small or immature fish aren't yet mature enough to reproduce and contribute to the population.
Did you know that in some cases, by-catch can also include species that are protected, endangered, or in need of conservation? It's a big concern because it affects the balance of our oceans and the survival of these animals.
To wrap it up, by-catch is when fishermen unintentionally catch other marine animals, either non-targeted species or small and immature fish, while trying to catch their desired fish. The by-catch problem can have negative effects on marine ecosystems and the balance of marine life. It's important for fishermen and policymakers to develop more selective fishing methods and conservation measures to reduce the impact of by-catch on our oceans.
Revised and Fact checked by Emma Johnson on 2023-10-28 11:24:39
By-catch In a sentece
Learn how to use By-catch inside a sentece
- When fishermen are trying to catch tuna, they sometimes end up catching other types of fish accidentally. This accidental catch of other fish is called by-catch.
- Some fishermen catch shrimp in big nets, but they also catch other sea creatures like turtles or dolphins unintentionally. This unintended catch is called by-catch.
- A fisherman might be aiming to catch a specific type of fish, like salmon, but unfortunately, they could also catch different types of fish that they didn't intend to. These unintentionally caught fish are known as by-catch.
- In some fishing methods, like using longlines, fishermen catch a targeted type of fish, such as swordfish, but they can also accidentally catch birds like albatrosses. This accidental catch of non-targeted species is considered by-catch.
- When fishing for shrimp, some fishermen use big nets that catch not only shrimp but also various other marine creatures like crabs or small fish. The catch of these unintended species is referred to as by-catch.
By-catch Synonyms
Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.
By-catch Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.