Incidental capture of sea turtles in fishing gears along the Guyana coast

Abstract

The incidental capture of sea turtles by fishing gear is a significant global threat to sea turtle populations. The increasing demand for seafood and seafood products raises the risk of sea turtle entanglement in fishing gear. Our study documented the encounter rate of sea turtles with fishing gear in Guyana, South America. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishers at key landing sites along the coast of Guyana. A total of 76 fishers participated in this study. Most fishers encountered sea turtles in their fishing gear at least once annually during fishing trips. Most turtles were captured in gillnet fisheries, and leatherbacks were the most caught species. Encounters were more frequent in August, aligning with the February-to-August nesting period. Most turtles were alive when encountered on the fishing nets, but the post-release mortality of the turtles is unknown. We also found that fishers knew that sea turtles are an endangered and protected species. However, they doubt that much can be done to prevent sea turtle bycatch without compromising their target catch. Our findings highlight the crucial role of collaboration between scientists, fishery managers, and fishers to understand sea turtle bycatch and develop and implement successful bycatch reduction strategies to conserve sea turtles.