News
Research Finds Thousands of Sea Turtles Killed by Costa Rica Longline Fishery
Studies conducted by researchers from Drexel University, Costa Rican conservation group Pretoma, and US conservation group The Leatherback Trust found that the longline fishery of Costa Rica is responsible for the deaths of thousands of endangered sea turtles, and potentially putting fish populations affected by the fishery at risk of collapse.
The data came from scientific observers on longline fishing boats over a decade (1999-2010) who recorded every species that was pulled from the sea, including target species and bycatch. During the study period, roughly 699,000 olive ridley and 23,000 green sea turtles were recorded as bycatch from fisheries that targeted mahi mahi, marlin, sharks, and tuna.
Concurrent data recorded on olive ridley nesting populations on Costa Rica’s Ostional Wildlife Refuge, an important nesting ground for the species, showed declines in nesting populations were directly linked to longline fishery catches. Seasonal closures for the fishery, as well as the establishment of marine protected areas, were recommended by the research team in order to mitigate damages. They also called for INCOPESCA, the fisheries management agency of the Costa Rican government, to begin enforcing national laws that were enacted several years ago and realize their current methods are unsustainable.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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