How can accidental captures of loggerhead turtles be reduced?

FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
EurekAlert 26 Feb 10;

Spanish scientists have studied interactions between the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and fishing gear such as longline hooks used at the water surface, mass beachings, and the effects of climate change on these animals.

In order to reduce captures of this marine species without causing economic losses for fishermen, the scientists are proposing that fishing in the summer should only be carried out by night and in areas more than 35 nautical miles from land.

Populations of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are in decline all over the world, and particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, where more than 20,000 animals are accidentally caught each year. Finding responsible and sustainable fisheries solutions was one of the prime objectives of this research study, published in the latest issue of the Journal of Applied Ichthyology.

Researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) in Malaga, the University of Malaga (UMA) and the Sea Classroom, also in Malaga, tested whether using different kinds of animal bait would reduce captures of loggerhead turtles, and how these changes could impact on fishing yields.

The scientists used real commercial fisheries data taken by scientific observers on board fishing boats. The results were clear. "Using fish as bait could greatly reduce incidental catches of loggerhead turtles, but could also severely affect catches of swordfish", José Carlos Báez, lead author and a researcher at the IEO, tells SINC.

The research team also showed that stopping using small molluscs such as squid as bait could not ensure that incidental catches of loggerhead turtles would be prevented, since "as an opportunistic predator it also preys on hooks baited with fish, and can find these more easily when molluscs are used", explains the expert.

The study proposes other measures that, the researchers say, would not involve modifying the equipment used in any way that "could result in low economic yields because of a decline in fish catches", says Báez. These techniques would reduce the number of turtles caught while maintaining fishermen's profits.

"Most accidental catches happen during the day, more than 35 nautical miles from the coast, and in the summer, meaning that it would be enough to limit longline fishing at these times and places in order to drastically reduce captures of this species", says Báez, who adds that these measures should be tested before being adopted.

Longline fishing is practised by 356 vessels in Spanish waters, and provides employment for many coastal towns. However, accidental captures of species such as the loggerhead turtle are also damaging to fishermen's interests, because of the economic losses caused and the time spent in freeing the turtles.

###

References:
Báez, J.C.; Real, R.; Macias, D.; de la Serna, J.M.; Bellido, J.J.; Caminas, J.A. "Captures of swordfish Xiphias gladius Linnaeus 1758 and loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta (Linnaeus 1758) associated with different bait combinations in the Western Mediterranean surface longline fishery" Journal of Applied Ichthyology 26(1): 126-127, febrero de 2010.

Sri Lanka pledges to protect sea turtles

Charles Haviland, BBC News 26 Feb 10;

The Sri Lankan government says that it is concerned about the welfare of sea turtles which live and breed on the island's southern coastline.

The authorities say turtle hatcheries are operating there which contravene conservation laws and that they will prosecute those people involved.

Sri Lanka is a vital habitat for sea turtles as five of the seven species come ashore here to lay their eggs.

Watching adult and newly-hatched turtles is also popular with tourists.

That seems to be contributing to the problems faced by these endearing reptiles.

The Sri Lankan Daily Mirror Online website says in a new report that hatcheries which use them for commercial or leisure purposes are harming the species.

Dead hatchling

Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka says that wildlife officers have informed all hatcheries that selling the turtles or using them as meat or for any other commercial purpose is illegal.

"They can only be used for educational purposes," he said. "We've investigated the illegal places and given them warnings not to do that."

Senior wildlife official Sarath Dissanayake told the BBC that turtle hatchlings should have the freedom to walk over the beach to the sea, but hatcheries were illegally putting walls and barriers in their way.

A tourist said he had recently been at a facility where guests were encouraged to pick up baby turtles and "set them free" into the ocean.

He said the place was like a zoo and that at least one hatchling appeared to be dead.

But one hatchery owner told the Daily Mirror Online he is protecting the animals, not profiting from them.

"They have asked us to hatch them on the beaches," he said, "but we can't do that.

"If we wanted to do that, we'd need at least 20,000 soldiers guarding these turtles, because people are hungry for them, most use them as meat."

But the authorities are not convinced. They are preparing new guidelines on how turtle hatcheries should be maintained and say that those who violate them will be prosecuted.

Wetlands not wastelands: Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu

Harban Singh, Johor Baru
Letter to the New Straits Times 16 Feb 10;

THE east coast states of the peninsula are home to some of the finest coastlines, national parks and serene islands in Malaysia.

These coastlines have a rich heritage and beautiful natural attractions. Tourism is a potential earner in these states, and more can be done to lure avid nature lovers.

One of the many potential sites in the east coast is the Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu, which has both freshwater and marine species. The Setiu Wetlands supplies between 50 and 60 per cent of Peninsular Malaysia's grouper (Epinephelus spp) juveniles and oyster seeds.

It is, therefore, most disappointing to hear that a 1,000ha aquaculture development project has been approved in Setiu for an integrated shrimp project. This is in total disregard to the vital role of the wetlands to human habitats and livelihoods. Aquaculture projects have destroyed much of the wetlands, especially mangroves, in Thailand and Indonesia. It has led to environmental degradation, ecological damage and caused much pain to the socio-economic position of the local communities. Malaysia must learn from it.

We must preserve these important ecosystems where Malaysian Nature Society and World Wide Fund for Nature have done tremendous field and research work and accumulated valuable data as well as inventories to justify protection. The wetlands qualify to be designated as Ramsar (wetlands of international importance) sites by virtue of their distinctive habitats. Nature lovers are expecting this area to join Tasek Bera, Kinabatangan, Kuching wetlands, Tanjung Piai, Sungai Pulai and Pulau Kukup as the seventh Ramsar site in Malaysia.

The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) authorities, the custodians of this area, have a moral obligation to ensure that all green habitats are protected, through sustainable approaches. It is never too late to rectify a mistake and consult the experts. Setiu should be gazetted as a state park and a Ramsar site, as was done with Pulau Kukup and Tanjung Piai wetlands sites in Johor. Perhaps the ECER could learn from the Iskandar Regional Development Authority how to work with stakeholders to preserve and enhance wetlands. The proposed aquaculture project must be shelved. We don't need more white elephants in Terengganu. We must learn from our past mistakes and recognise that wetlands are not wastelands, but form one of the most productive ecosystems in the world.

Hawksbill turtles - keepers of the coral

People and Planet 4 Feb 10;

Timid and difficult to locate underwater, hawksbill sea turtles in their marine habitat have long managed to evade the efforts of researchers. But Rainer von Brandis struck it lucky when he found himself swimming among hawksbills in the Amirante Islands of Seychelles, and his subsequent study revealed that these graceful reptiles are vital to the maintenance of coral reef biodiversity.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RAINER VON BRANDIS

Better known for the aesthetic qualities of its shell than for the role it plays in maintaining coral reef ecosystems, the hawksbill sea turtle is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. In view of this status, hawksbills have been the focus of numerous research projects in recent years, and while much has been learned about them when nesting, studying them in their aquatic environment has proven far more challenging.

Sea turtles underwater are difficult to locate and extremely wary, and often the only reward for researchers is a glimpse of one swimming off into the blue. Their natural behaviour, feeding methods, prey preferences, social interactions and impact on their environment are therefore still largely a mystery.

Seychelles, with its sound conservation policies, supports relatively healthy turtle numbers, especially at remote locations that were not frequented by turtle fishermen in the past. During an extended visit to the Amirante Islands in 2006, I came across a small insular coral reef that seemed to be teeming with young hawksbills. After diving around the reef for a few days, I soon realised that I was seeing the same turtles over and over again and that they appeared to be getting used to my presence. At first I was careful to keep my distance, but gradually they allowed me to approach to within arm’s length and spend entire dives with them.

The hawksbills, I decided, would be an excellent subject for my planned doctoral thesis, and for the next two months I spent as much time observing them as my dive computer allowed. The preliminary results were exciting and unique, and I consequently secured funding to return to the reef for two-month periods in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each year I found the same individuals and they continued to allow me to follow them around.

Over the four-year period, I clocked up a total of 312 hours underwater with the turtles and identified 15 resident individuals. Eighty per cent of my time, however, was spent with the three turtles that had become most accustomed to me. Other than occasionally sitting on me, trying to eat my dive equipment or using me as leverage when digging for food, these three completely ignored me as they went about their everyday business. Naturally, I remained careful never to touch them or disturb them unnecessarily, as this would undoubtedly have changed their behaviour toward me.

Among other things, I was able to determine their prey preferences, the quantity of food they consumed, and their diving and activity patterns, social interactions and habitat requirements. Most significantly, however, I established that the hawksbills play a vital role in maintaining the biodiversity of the coral reef I was working on.

Because hawksbill foraging pressure is high on this small reef, the sponges they eat are restricted to well-hidden locations inside the reef substrate. The turtles therefore have to dig them out by using either their flippers to rip open the substrate or their beaks to pry the reef apart and lift out loose pieces that may be sheltering their prey. In doing so, they not only shape the reef topographically, but also expose food for fishes and create sheltered micro-habitats for other reef-dwellers such as moray eels, brittle stars, shrimps and a range of invertebrates.

Moreover, since sponges usually out-compete hard corals for space, the consumption of a quarter of a tonne of sponge by a single turtle each year enables hard corals to become established. This is especially important because higher than usual sea-water temperatures in 1998 resulted in the death of approximately 90 per cent of hard-coral communities in the region. If hawksbills had not been present, the reef would probably resemble a featureless expanse of mainly sponges and support a much lower diversity of reef organisms. In all likelihood, many coral reefs were more spectacular in the days preceding the mass slaughter of hawksbills for tortoiseshell.

It is hoped that the results of this research can be used to improve the hawksbill’s conservation status and strengthen resolve against a potential renewal of the tortoiseshell trade. Japan continues to lobby in support of reopening the trade so as to keep its tortoiseshell-manufacturing industry alive, and recent reports indicate that clandestine dealings in some Asian and Central American countries are on the increase again. In addition, the findings provide important information about hawksbill biology and habitat requirements, which is vital for the effective management of their popu-lations and foraging habitats.

The author would like to thank the Save Our Seas Foundation for funding his research in the Seychelles.

This article first appeared in the December 09/January 10 issue of Africa Geographic magazine.

TURTLE SCUTE TO TORTOISESHELL BANGLE

Tortoiseshell – used to make combs, jewellery boxes and spectacle rims – is a misnomer, for it comes not from tortoises, but from the hawksbill sea turtle. Produced from the scutes (shell plates) of the turtles, it has been considered a valuable commodity since ancient times. More than 2 000 years ago Julius Caesar considered tortoiseshell to be one of the chief spoils of his triumph in Egypt, and in the ninth century Arabs traded tortoiseshell around the Indian Ocean.

By 1700, Japanese artisans were producing large amounts of beautifully crafted tortoiseshell ornaments (called bekko) for markets in Asia, America and Europe. Japan subsequently became the major importer of hawksbills: between 1950 and 1992 more than 1.3 million dead turtles were brought into the country.

Overexploitation led to the prohibition of trade in hawksbills in 1977, when the species made it onto Appendix 1 of CITES, but intercepted bekko shipments indicate that the industry persists and is fed by poaching. On a positive note, countries such as Seychelles and Tanzania have shown their commitment to ending the illicit trade by burning all their accumulated stocks of tortoiseshell.

YOU CAN HELP BY

Not buying tortoiseshell products

Hand-crafted tortoiseshell jewellery and ornaments, and even stuffed juvenile hawksbills, are often found at tourist markets in tropical countries. If you are really tempted to buy, check with the vendor that the item is made of ‘faux tortoiseshell’ (plastic) and not the real thing.

Reporting poaching incidents

If you encounter a poacher who tries to sell you a live hawksbill (or any other sea turtle), it is usually best to decline politely and report the incident to the authorities immediately. With luck, the poacher will not have killed the turtle before being apprehended and it can be released. Purchasing turtles from poachers is not recommended because this will encourage them to catch more.

Any dead turtles found on a beach should also be reported. They probably died from being entangled in fishing gear and it is helpful to the authorities if such deaths are documented.


FAST FACTS

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Description. These medium-sized sea turtles attain about one metre in length and 80 kilograms in weight. An elongated and
pointed beak and a serrated rear margin of the carapace are distinguishing features.

Range Circumtropical.

Habitat Usually coral reefs, but they also live in a wide range of habitats, including mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and mudflats.

Biology Three distinct life stages: hatchlings float on open ocean currents, feeding on various drifting organisms; at 30 centimetres (5–10 years old) they move into shallower reef environments and begin feeding on sponges and other invertebrates; at about 70 centimetres (25–35 years old) they become adults and return to their place of birth to breed. On average, females nest every third year and lay up to five clutches of 140 eggs per season. Out of a thousand eggs, only one or two hatchlings make it to adulthood.

Conservation Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List). As in other sea turtle species, their late age at sexual maturity and relatively low reproductive rate make them highly susceptible to overexploitation. Females lucky enough to reach adulthood are easily killed by humans for food or tortoiseshell when they come ashore to nest, while their eggs, a rich source of protein, are often harvested in totality. Relatively new threats such as pollution, habitat destruction, hybridisation and incidental capture by fishing vessels further reduce the outlook for this species.

Leatherback turtles return to Phuket

MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Sirinat National Park and a local conservation organization have set up watches to protect leatherback turtles returning to lay eggs on Mai Khao Beach this nesting season.

Nonthawit Chaturabandit, chief of Sirinat National Park, said that in the past many leatherback turtles nested on beaches inside the park.

Local residents used to set up camps by the beach and go on ‘turtle walks’ to watch the enormous reptiles clamber ashore and lay their eggs.

In recent years, however, the turtles have for the most part stopped coming to Mai Khao, a fact that has been attributed in part to coastal development in the area.

But now the leatherbacks seem to be staging a comeback.

“We were very pleased to find that two leatherback turtles had come to lay eggs in January. The two nests had a total of around 145 eggs. We expect more to come in February,” Mr Nonthawit said.

Sirinath National Park, together with local villagers and the Mai Khao Beach Turtle Conservation Group, have set up watches to remain on the lookout for more leatherbacks coming to lay eggs, and to protect any eggs from being stolen and eaten. Officers will be spread over the whole beach,” he added.

Mr Nonthawit warned anyone wanting to come and watch the turtles not to make loud noises or light fires on the beach. Leatherbacks are very careful when choosing a nest site and will not come ashore if there are noises and lights, he explained.

Leatherback turtles are classed as critically endangered.

Egg theft, environmental destruction and harmful fishing practices have all contributed to the decline in their appearances at Mai Khao, experts say.