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.

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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.