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Research / Bycatches and ring recoveries Birds getting caught in fishing equipment is a problem that has only been detected in recent years. As the fish stocks decline, the fishing effort increases in order to catch the same amount. This in turn leads to increased bycatches. The Common Murre has a lower survival rate today than 30 years ago, which is mainly explained by an increase in bycatches. Salmon driftnets and Cod nets are the most common fishing equipment that the birds get trapped in, causing drowning. After discovering bycatches of birds and porpoises in driftnets, the laws surrounding driftnets have been intensified. The pie chart to the right indicates where the ringed Common Murre have been found again. Results show that a large number of birds are found dead in fishing nets. The increase in fishing due to decreases in Cod stocks has resulted in a visible decline in the Common Murre survival rate.

Ring recoveries The pie chart below shows under which circumstances ringed Common Murres have been recovered. 19% Controlled by ringer 3,5% Hunted 19% Unknown 4% Oiled 52% Fishing gear bycatch 2% Other known circumstances n = 3 250 Source: The Swedish Museum of Natural History