Seeking swordfish, catching dolphins and whales: EU pushes to rein in driftnets

Seeking swordfish, catching dolphins and whales: EU pushes to rein in driftnets

Driftnets, vertically hanging nets that drift with ocean currents and can stretch for kilometers, are used to catch large pelagic species such as swordfish and tuna. However, they have long drawn criticism from conservationists as they also capture and kill sharks, turtles, dolphins and other marine wildlife. For decades, debate has raged about use of the large nets. It's a particularly contentious issue in the Mediterranean Sea, an important mi…