 |
|
Research shows loggerhead sea turtles threatened by small-scale fishing operations
October 17, 2007Conservation efforts reduce loggerhead mortalities by working with fisherman in vital turtle habitat
Washington, DC. Ocean Conservancy Scientist, Wallace J. Nichols and University of California-Santa Cruz researcher Hoyt Peckham found surprising results in a recent peer-reviewed loggerhead sea turtle study that Nichols and Peckham conducted over the course of 10 years. The full study will be published on October 17 in the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE.
The study reveals that small-scale fishing operations are a greater threat to the survival of north Pacific loggerhead sea turtles than large industrial fishing operations. The species is seriously threatened. As The New York Times recently editorialized, "For an oceanic species such as the loggerhead, these are incredibly dangerous times. It is partly the longevity of these creatures that makes their death as bystanders among the global fishing fleets feel so tragic, a truly colossal waste of life."
North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles travel more than 7,000 miles from Japan via Hawaii to feed and grow to maturity in Baja California Sur, Mexico, spending up to 30 years there before returning to Japan to breed. The number of nesting females in Japan has declined by 50 to 80 percent over the past 10 years. Young loggerheads spend 70 percent of their time in areas that are popular small-scale fishing locations. Small-scale fishing operations threaten the survival of these turtles because the turtles are inadvertently caught in gillnets set on the ocean bottom and long fishing lines with many hooks that can easily ensnare loggerhead sea turtles.
"Many small-scale fishing operations off the coast of Baja California, Mexico overlap with high concentrations of loggerhead turtles. The combination of the indiscriminate gillnets and long-line fishing gear and the density of loggerhead turtles results in a deadly situation for the turtles," said Wallace J. Nichols, Ocean Conservancy Scientist. "Local efforts to educate fishermen and remove dangerous fishing gear from the water are essential to protecting this endangered species that relies on the food-rich waters in Baja California, Mexico for survival."
While small-scale fishing operations cause great threats in Baja California, Mexico, inexpensive changes in the kind of fishing gear that even just a few fishermen use results in saving thousands of loggerhead turtles every year. Local conservation efforts are already underway to address the problem and this opportunity. Hoyt Peckham and the local Baja California conservation group, Grupo Tortuguero, with the help of Ocean Conservancy, recently worked with a local fisherman to retire dangerous long-line fishing gear to save up to 700 loggerhead sea turtles each year.
Public Library of Science
North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles travel more than 7,000 miles from Japan via Hawaii to feed and grow to maturity in Baja California Sur, Mexico, spending up to 30 years there before returning to Japan to breed. The number of nesting females in Japan has declined by 50 to 80 percent over the past 10 years. Young loggerheads spend 70 percent of their time in areas that are popular small-scale fishing locations. Small-scale fishing operations threaten the survival of these turtles because the turtles are inadvertently caught in gillnets set on the ocean bottom and long fishing lines with many hooks that can easily ensnare loggerhead sea turtles.
"Many small-scale fishing operations off the coast of Baja California, Mexico overlap with high concentrations of loggerhead turtles. The combination of the indiscriminate gillnets and long-line fishing gear and the density of loggerhead turtles results in a deadly situation for the turtles," said Wallace J. Nichols, Ocean Conservancy Scientist. "Local efforts to educate fishermen and remove dangerous fishing gear from the water are essential to protecting this endangered species that relies on the food-rich waters in Baja California, Mexico for survival."
While small-scale fishing operations cause great threats in Baja California, Mexico, inexpensive changes in the kind of fishing gear that even just a few fishermen use results in saving thousands of loggerhead turtles every year. Local conservation efforts are already underway to address the problem and this opportunity. Hoyt Peckham and the local Baja California conservation group, Grupo Tortuguero, with the help of Ocean Conservancy, recently worked with a local fisherman to retire dangerous long-line fishing gear to save up to 700 loggerhead sea turtles each year.
Public Library of Science
Sea Turtle Current Events and Sea Turtle News RSSRemotely Operated Vehicles and Satellite Tags Aid Turtle Studies
Researchers are using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and satellite-linked data loggers to learn more about turtle behavior in commercial fishing areas and to develop new ways to avoid catching turtles in fishing gear.
Papahanaumokuakea National Monument Facing Hurricane Neki
A hurricane warning is in force for the Papahanaumokuakea National Monument from Nihoa Island to French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef. Hurricane conditions likely there by 5 a.m. HST on Friday, October 23.
Barcoding endangered sea turtles
Conservation geneticists who study sea turtles have a new tool to help track this highly migratory and endangered group of marine animals: DNA barcodes.
Scientists identify world's largest leatherback turtle population
An international team of scientists has identified a nesting population of leatherback sea turtles in Gabon, West Africa as the world's largest.
Cost of hatchling turtles' dash for freedom
A newly hatched sea turtle's first swim is the most critical of its life. Having run the gauntlet of air and land predators to make it to the sea, the tiny voyager must also evade hungry fish patrolling the beaches in its bid for freedom.
Loggerhead release to provide vital information to scientific community
Thursday, November 6, 2008, Dr. Kirt Rusenko, Marine Conservationist, and staff from Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton will release two juvenile loggerhead sea turtles raised in captivity into the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian Inlet.
Small islands given short shrift in assembling archaeological record
Small islands dwarf large ones in archaeological importance, says a University of Florida researcher, who found that people who settled the Caribbean before Christopher Columbus preferred more minute pieces of land because they relied heavily on the sea.
Revealing the evolutionary history of threatened sea turtles
It's confirmed: Even though flatback turtles dine on fish, shrimp, and mollusks, they are closely related to primarily herbivorous green sea turtles.
Study finds high mortality of endangered loggerhead sea turtles in Baja California
Along the southern coast of Baja California, Mexico, scientists have been counting the carcasses of endangered sea turtles for a decade as part of an effort to assess and eliminate threats to loggerhead sea turtle populations.
Isotope analysis reveals foraging area dichotomy for Atlantic leatherback turtles
The beaches of French Guiana constitute a major reproduction site for leatherback turtles. This sea turtle, although a protected species, is threatened by human activity: it ingests plastics, get accidentally caught in fishing nets, sees its egg-laying sites destroyed and its adults hunted illegally for their meat and their eggs.
More Sea Turtle Current Events and Sea Turtle News Articles
 |
Cloud b Twilight Sea Turtle - Constellation Night Light by Cloud b Enjoy a peaceful night sleep under Twilight Sea Turtle's starry night sky. This fun and educational nightlight is designed to help children sleep easier and also help bring awareness to endangered sea animals. Twilight Sea Turtle's beautiful shell illuminates in 3 soothing colors, while also highlighting 5 endangered sea friends...the Blue Whale, California Sea Otter, Knysna Seahorse, Leatherback Turtle and Vaquita Dolphin. The Twilight Storybook includes a Twilight Sea Turtle story that teaches children about endangered sea animals, a helpful Star Guide and an adoption certificate. A portion of the proceeds from Twilight Sea Turtle will be donated by Cloub b to an international conservation organization. Features: Night sky projection on ceiling Stars project in Ocean Blue, Emerald... |
 |
Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation by James R. Spotila (Author) For more than a hundred million years, sea turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans. These magnificent, long-lived creatures spend their lives in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs. Upon hatching, the baby turtles leave the nest and enter a dangerous world of storms and predators. The females will return to the same beach to lay their own eggs when they reach maturity a decade later. Today, there are seven species of sea turtle: the grass--eating green turtle; the sea sponge--eating hawksbill; the olive ridley; the Kemp's ridley, which is the smallest species; the loggerhead; the flatback of Australia; and the giant leatherback. Having escaped the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, these ancient reptiles today face new dangers that threaten their survival:... |
 |
Melissa & Doug Giant Plush Stuffed Sea Turtle by Melissa and Doug Children can have a swimmingly good time without getting wet with this water-loving friend. This giant sea turtle stuffed animal is the perfect gift for any child who is fascinated by sea life. His body is made from premium plush over a flexible wire frame. Measures 24"H x 17"W x 8.5"D. |
 |
Sea Turtle Wall Decor by Online Discount Mart Youll have oceans of fun displaying the fabulous pieces in this sea turtle wall décor. A trio of swimming turtles can all head in one direction, take their own path along your wall, or serve as individual accents on separate walls. A great décor accessory for anyone who loves sea-themed items. Mix and match with more of our ocean treasures to create your own undersea world. Handpainted meatl. Set of three. 9.5, 8 and 6 inches long. |
 |
Bungalow360 Barbie Sea Turtle Vegan Canvas Handbag by Bungalow |
 |
Into the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson (Author), Alix Berenzy (Illustrator) A beautiful, compelling book about the fragile life cycle of the endangered sea turtle. |
 |
Tropical Reef Green Sea Turtles Hand Painted Night Light by Ibis & Orchid Design Tropical Reef Green Sea Turtles Hand Painted Night Light |
 |
Incredible Creatures- Sea Turtle by Safari Part of the Safari Ltd. Incredible Creatures collection, large size replicas that spark a sense of wonder and increase interest. They are made from a more pliable polyvinyl than Safari Ltd.'s standard replicas, making them softer to the touch. This brown Sea Turtle replica measures 8.25 inches long and 2.5 inches high. |
 |
Sea Turtles Trinket Box by Wrapables Add a little sparkle and shine to your vanity table with our Sea Turtles Trinket Box. This crystal encrusted trinket box is small and dainty and opens up to reveal a special hiding place for small trinkets. Perfect for your most precious pieces! |
 |
Shea turtle by Gund Spark a sense of adventure in your child when you give them this cuddly plush sea turtle from Gund. With large flippers and a detailed shell, Shea the Sea Turtle is surprisingly realistic. This plush pal is sure to capture the hearts of young and old alike. Measures approximately 10.5" long. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |