Historic news—the United States is finally banning some of the cruelest driftnets!

In 2018, shortly after the release of a Mercy For Animals investigation, California passed a bill to phase out the deadliest fishing nets used in state waters: “large-mesh” driftnets. These nets are responsible for widespread destruction of marine life, drowning seabirds, dolphins, and other animals who become entangled in them.

In December 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes legislation to phase out the use of large-mesh driftnets in federal waters and by U.S. vessels (the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act).

This act will spare many whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, and other ocean animals from horrific cruelty.

This progress wouldn’t be possible without our incredible coalition of supporters like you.