According to a report released by WWF and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) alternative fishing technology has been shown to save turtles while not affecting fish catches. The report explained how changing from the classic J hook to circular hooks, providing adequate training and tools to release turtles accidentally hooked and enhancing sustainable fishing practices, can dramatically reduce incidental catch (bycatch) of marine turtles without impacting fishing activity.
Moises Mug, Coordinator of the WWF Bycatch Initiative for the Eastern Pacific, informed that the results keep demonstrating that changing to circular hooks is the right choice, since it favours turtle conservation without having an impact on the economy of artisanal fisheries.
He also states that together with fishermen WWF is building a culture for sustainable fishing practices that will guarantee fish stocks in the long term. It is for sure that the report titled Bycatch Initiative: Eastern Pacific Program, A Vehicle Towards Sustainable Fisheries, is a comprehensive analysis of data collected during four years of work in eight different countries in the Eastern Pacific – Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Martin Hall, Principal Researcher for the IATTC, expressed that the main aim is to reduce the incidental catch of marine turtles from the long-line fishing operations without affecting the fisheries activity which is a main source of food and income for local communities. Amanda Nickson, Global Leader of WWF’s Bycatch Initiative, added that this programme is going beyond an initial focus of saving sea turtles from bycatch, and is creating the groundwork toward sustainable artisanal long-line fishing in the eastern Pacific.
