Critical to the success of the first two options will be international cooperation, implementation, and enforcement from the major longlining nations. Scientists have examined what best predicts bycatch. Is it where the hooks are set? Is it water temperature or bottom features? "Unfortunately the single best predictor is swordfish catch the more swordfish caught, the higher the rate of leatherback bycatch," says Crowder. To help remedy this problem, U.S. longline fisheries already have been restricted or closed, but this will not adequately protect leatherbacks. More that 90% of longlining effort in international waters originates from international fleets, primarily from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. Finding a fix across a global ocean will require both international governments' and fishermen's buy-in.
The third option involves US imports and choices consumers make when buying seafood.
New research funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that sea turtle captures in longline fisheries are ten times higher in swordfish sets than sets targeting tuna. "So simply choosing to consume less swordfish could reduce market demand and reduce the impact on critically endangered leatherbacks," says Crowder.
Since saving leatherbacks also may require reductions in the overall quantity of fishing effort, scientists suggest that transitional aid should be allocated to fishermen and coastal communities as we try to move toward sustainable use of ocean ecosystems. "Bold measures are necessary," says Crowder. "At this point "the survival of each turtle counts."
"We have been successful in finding technological and operational solutions to reduce bycatches in some fishe
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Contact: Jessica Brown
jbrown@seaweb.org
202-497-8375
SeaWeb
17-Feb-2003