Iluminar el Mar

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8 months ago

Fisheries bycatch is one of the greatest threats affecting marine ecosystems and fisheries resources in Ecuador. Endangered species bycatch in Ecuadorian artisanal fisheries is having drastic negative effects on marine wildlife. For example, of sea turtle bycatch within artisanal gillnet fisheries of the Southeast Pacific (Ecuador, Peru, and Chile), 87% occurs in Ecuador alone, which equates to approximately 40,480 sea turtles every year. Threatened and endangered species affected by fisheries bycatch include 5 sea turtle species, 4 marine mammal species, 11 shark and ray species, and 3 seabird species. We have less than 10 years to prevent the localized extinction of some species such as the critically endangered East Pacific leatherback sea turtle, whose primary threat is fisheries bycatch. The artisanal fishing sector is especially vulnerable to the costs associated with fishing bycatch. Large species such as sea turtles can damage gear, decrease fishing efficiency, and reduce catch per fishing effort, and preliminary studies have found that decreasing fisheries bycatch is a mutual goal between conservationists and fishermen. Non-certifiable fish catches also command lower market prices. There is a need for effective and scalable solutions to reduce bycatch and support local livelihoods in artisanal fishing communities. Preliminary studies found that green LED lights do not significantly affect target catch while decreasing endangered species bycatch by over 80% for sea turtles, 71% for marine mammals, 95% for sharks & rays, and 84% for seabirds. Through Project Iluminar el Mar we will test the effectiveness of green LED lights in the Ecuadorian gillnet fishery in Ecuador, in collaboration with local Fishermen Cooperatives. Our target audience includes local fishermen and fisheries cooperatives, Ecuadorian government and international donors.

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