Buoyless nets reduce sea turtle bycatch in coastal net fisheries

Authors
Peckham, S.H., Lucero-Romero, J., Maldonado-Diaz, D., Rodriguez-Sanchez, A., Senko, J., Wojakowski, M. and A. Gaos
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Conservation Letters
Volume (Issue #)
9
Page #s
114-121
Contact information
S. Hoyt Peckham, Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA. E-mail: peckham@stanford.edu
Summary

Loggerhead sea turtles have a high-density foraging hot spot in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This spot coincides with intense bottom-set net fisheries. Controlled studies were conducted in Baja California Sur, Mexico between 2007 and 2009 to compare turtle bycatch rates with target catch rates, composition, and market value between control and buoyless nets. A total of 136 controlled sets were made. The results suggest that mean turtle bycatch was reduced by 68% with the use of buoyless nets but target catch rates were not impacted. 

Link
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.12176/full