WHAT ARE DRIFTNETS?

Driftnets are mile-long walls of netting that float in the ocean. They are extremely harmful as notoriously high numbers of sea animals, including protected species, such as dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds, are caught, killed, and thrown away by the driftnet fishing industry. These animals are referred to as “bycatch.”

This loss of life is a massive threat to marine ecosystems.

Driftnets are already banned in many countries, and only one driftnet fishing industry remains in the United States—in federal waters off the coast of California.