Incidental mortality of seabird species continues in many commercial fisheries, including species impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Open Ocean Trustees Implementation Group is using settlement money to fund research to restore populations of birds impacted by this oil spill, including great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) found in New England waters. Bycatch of great shearwaters occurs in gillnets targeting spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) in the waters off Cape Cod, MA. Based on conversations with fishery observers, scientists, and commercial fishermen, it seems likely that changing gillnet baiting practices may reduce shearwater bycatch. The shearwater bycatch spikes when fishermen toss bait directly on their gillnets while they are being deployed and near the surface. However, baiting in front of the nets (forward baiting) or after setting (after baiting) may increase dogfish catch while minimizing shearwater bycatch. This project was designed to evaluate these methods and promote alternative baiting methods to reduce seabird bycatch through collaborations between scientists, fishermen, and fishing advocacy groups.