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Illegal Fishing & Invisible Suffering: Why Gillnets Demand Greater Scrutiny

Photo courtesy of Oceana
Photo courtesy of Oceana

Recent news from Ontario highlights a troubling reminder that illegal fishing is not just a regulatory issue—it’s an animal welfare crisis. Three men were collectively fined $7,610 and banned from fishing for one year after being charged with multiple violations in a provincial park. Their offences included obstructing a conservation officer, camping without a permit, tending a fire outside a designated area, and, most notably, the unlawful use of a gillnet (Bertrand 2026). 


At first glance, this may seem like a straightforward case of rule-breaking. But beneath these charges lies a deeper and more urgent issue: the devastating impact of improper and illegal fishing methods on aquatic life.


What Makes Gillnets So Harmful?


Gillnets are walls of fine nylon mesh—either monofilament or multifilament—designed to catch fish by the gills. The concept is deceptively simple: a fish swims into the net, its head passes through, but its body cannot follow. As it tries to back out, the mesh tightens around its gills, trapping it (NOAA 2026).


This method is used to target species such as salmon, cod, haddock, herring, seabass, and others. However, the reality is far less selective than intended. Gillnets do not discriminate. Any animal that encounters them—intended target or not—can become entangled (NOAA 2026).


Collateral Damage: A Silent Crisis

One of the most serious concerns with gillnetting is bycatch—the unintended capture of non-target species. Marine life such as sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and seals are especially vulnerable (NOAA 2026).


Sea turtles, for example, can become entangled around their flippers or necks. If they are unable to reach the surface, they drown. Even when they survive initial entanglement, the nylon mesh can cut deeply into their soft tissue, leading to infections, restricted movement, or even loss of limbs. These injuries can impair their ability to swim, feed, and breathe (NOAA 2026).


Marine mammals face similar risks. Whales and dolphins caught in gillnets may drown or drag the heavy gear over long distances, causing exhaustion and severe injury. In some cases, animals remain entangled for months, suffering slow and painful deaths (NOAA 2026).


When Neglect Becomes Environmental Harm

The dangers of gillnets are magnified when they are abandoned. In 2017, authorities on Manitoulin Island, in Ontario, discovered 18 kilograms of rotting fish trapped in a discarded gillnet. Species including walleye, bass, carp, and catfish were left to die needlessly (Samson 2017).


This phenomenon, often referred to as “ghost fishing,” turns lost or abandoned gear into persistent killers. These nets continue to trap and kill wildlife long after they’ve been discarded, contributing to population declines and disrupting entire ecosystems (NOAA 2024). 


Regulations Exist for a Reason


In Ontario, the use of gillnets is strictly regulated and requires a special license. These rules are not arbitrary—they are designed to balance human activity with the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the humane treatment of wildlife.


When individuals bypass these regulations, the consequences ripple far beyond a single illegal act. It becomes a matter of ecological damage, animal suffering, and the erosion of conservation efforts.


A Question of Ethics, Not Just Legality


At the Humane Choices Foundation, we do not condone the unnecessary killing or harming of animals under any circumstances. Protecting wildlife requires ethical action, not neglect. 


The Ontario case serves as a reminder that the tools we use and the choices we make have consequences. Gillnets, when used illegally or abandoned, cause entirely preventable suffering. Ethical stewardship of our natural resources means prioritizing life and ensuring that no animal suffers needlessly.


Moving Forward

Preventing animal suffering is a responsibility shared by all of us. Stronger enforcement, public education, and a commitment to humane practices are essential to stop illegal fishing and reduce harm to wildlife. Respecting animal life is not optional—it is the foundation of ethical coexistence with the natural world.


Sources:

Bertrand, Dan. “Ontario Men Fined, Banned from Fishing after Incidents in Provincial Park.” 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Fishing Gear: Gillnets.” NOAA Fisheries, 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Ghost Fishing.” NOAA Ocean Service, 

Samson, Samantha. “18 kg of Rotting Fish Found in Abandoned Gillnet on Manitoulin Island.” 


 
 
 

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