Marine Turtle Bycatch in Gillnet Fisheries

Gillnet fisheries entangle and drown sea turtles in large numbers, with turtle excluder devices and modified gear offering significant mitigation.

Key Facts

Loggerhead sea turtles are the most commonly bycaught species in Atlantic gillnet fisheries
Drowning in gillnets takes minutes to hours depending on species and water temperature
Turtle excluder devices can eliminate up to 97% of turtle bycatch in trawl fisheries
Modified gillnets with acoustic pingers and modified mesh are being tested for turtle mitigation
Sea turtle populations of most species remain below recovery targets despite bycatch reduction efforts

Welfare Considerations

Drowning in entangling fishing gear is one of the most significant causes of sea turtle mortality and welfare suffering globally. Turtles must surface to breathe, and entanglement prevents this, leading to drowning after a period of struggle and panic. The mitigation technologies are available and effective for trawl fisheries, but gillnet modification is technically more challenging. The welfare and conservation arguments for bycatch reduction are inseparable for these critically endangered species.

What You Can Do

Choose seafood from fisheries with documented low turtle bycatch rates
Support MSC-certified fisheries that require bycatch monitoring
Advocate for observer programs on fishing vessels in turtle habitat
Donate to sea turtle conservation organizations that engage with fisheries management
Ask seafood retailers about turtle bycatch reduction in their supply chains