What the 1996 amendments said What that means Fishery management councils are required to reduce bycatch. Councils can reduce bycatch by banning fishing in areas where there are lots of non-target species. Fishery management councils are required to minimize the mortality of bycatch. In hook and line fishing, a fisherman can gently take the fish off the hook and release them immediately. Observers will receive better training and guidelines.
Observers have the job of riding on fishing boats and collecting data.
There are supposed to be enough observers to get accurate data on bycatch. Fishermen who reduce bycatch will be rewarded. Councils can give fishermen access to larger harvests if they have shown they reduce bycatch.