Restricting fishing time and zones will save many Mediterranean loggerhead turtles

Restricting fishing times and zones would save many of the 20,000 loggerhead turtles caught annually in the Mediterranean

February 2010. Spanish scientists have studied how loggerhead turtle are caught in fishing gear, such as longline hooks, mass beachings and the effects of climate change on these rare turtles. In order to reduce captures of loggerheads 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.

20,000 Loggerhead turtles killed in the Mediterranean every year
Populations of loggerhead turtles 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 fishing solutions was one of the prime objectives of this research, published in the latest issue of the Journal of Applied Ichthyology.

Different baits were counter productive
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.

Maintaining fish catches while reducing bycatch
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
"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.

Measures would increase fisherman's profits
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.