Fish that are caught but not retained (i.e., discarded) are considered bycatch. Fish are discarded for economic reasons (typically fish that are unmarketable or unprofitable to retain) or required to be discarded due to regulations (typically catch above a legal amount, or catch of prohibited species).
Here, “groundfish” refers to species or species groups that fall under target stocks in the BSAI and GOA Groundfish FMPs (does not include halibut bycatch). In 2024, out of roughly 2 million tons of groundfish harvested in the groundfish and halibut IFQ fisheries, less than 58,000 tons were discarded, resulting in a discard rate of under 3%. Rates of discarded groundfish differ substantially by gear type, with North Pacific groundfish discard rates of <1% for pelagic trawls, 7% for bottom trawls, 19% for hook-and-line (longline) gear, and 1% for pot gear (NMFS AKRO Catch Accounting System, 2025).
The composition of discards and the discard rates by species provide information on where managers can focus efforts to reduce discards. With limited exceptions, all bycatch of groundfish is assumed dead and the amount accrues towards the annual catch limits. Nevertheless, the Council works to address concerns regarding bycatch and seeks to minimize all bycatch, including regulatory and economic discards, to the extent practicable.
Staff contact is Sara Cleaver: 907-271-2805