Gill nets are most associated with bycatch, as they capture not only target species but also non-target marine animals.

One kind of fishing gear that is closely linked to bycatch is gill nets. Although the purpose of these nets is to catch fish by their gills as they attempt to swim through, they frequently inadvertently capture non-target species like seagulls, dolphins, sea turtles, and young fish. Because it disturbs ecosystems and endangers biodiversity, bycatch is a serious problem. Despite attempts to alter gill nets, such as by utilizing bycatch reduction devices, they continue to be a major issue in fisheries management. On the other hand, bycatch rates are usually lower for more selective techniques like spearfishing, fish trapping, and pole-and-line fishing.