Bycatch of marine mammals and sea turtles in fishing nets is a global concern. Yet, very little is known about bycatch in certain regions of the world (e.g., Africa and Southern Asia). A few areas have documented the serious consequences of bycatch (e.g.dugongs in the Western Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in shark nets in South Africa, and Atlantic humpback dolphins in Senegal and Gambia).

Following a regional workshop in Mayotte (Incidental Catch of Non-Target Species: Problems and mitigation measures), researchers agreed that a rapid assessment of gillnet and trawl fisheries and associated bycatch was one of the highest priorities for the Western Indian Ocean region. Several of those researchers, including C3, and others from West Africa and Southeast Asia then collaborated on a rapid assessment protocol which would allow for these data to be collected.