Hawaii Longline Fishery for Tuna Does Not Jeopardize Sea Turtles Existence

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For Immediate Release

Hawaii Longline Fishery for Tuna Does Not Jeopardize Sea Turtles Existence

HONOLULU, HAWAII, Nov. 23 -/E-Wire/-- The 2005 Biological Opinion (BiOp) (swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/pir/pdf/s7_HI_LL_final_2005.pdf) on the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery that deep-sets for tuna has concluded that the continued existence of all sea turtle species, including leatherbacks, is not jeopardized by the continued operation of the deep-set component of the Hawaii-based longline fishery.

In 2003, there was one observed leatherback turtle interaction with the Hawaii tuna deep-set longline fishery. In 2004, there were three, all of which were released alive. Long-term data sets show that, overall, there has been more than a 75 percent reduction in takes of leatherback turtles by the Hawaii longline fleet.

Most recent observer data includes only one olive ridley interaction with the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery in the first three quarters of 2005.The olive ridley sea turtle populations that nest in the eastern Pacific, the stock that interacts with the Hawaii longline fishery, are increasing at a rate of 12 percent annually.

The Hawaii longline fishery has been a leader in international efforts to reduce fishery interactions with protected species. It was instrumental in the design and testing of techniques, such as side setting, that have reduced longline interactions with seabirds by 90 to 99 percent. Side setting is now being promoted and exported throughout the Pacific. Following a year of successful implementation, the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery for tuna is now working with scientists and responsible environmental organizations throughout the Pacific to develop, test and export circle hook techniques to achieve similar results with turtle interactions.

Longlining and purse-seining are the two fishing methods that are meeting the majority of the global consumer demand for pelagic resources. The challenge is not to shut down longline fishing but to unite the industry and others interested in pelagic marine resources to find and implement effective solutions to avoid protected species interactions and to ensure healthy stocks of tuna and billfish. Successful mitigation measures must provide incentives for use while significantly reducing or eliminating interactions without making fishing operations difficult or unprofitable.

In July of this year, 250 fishermen and industry representatives, scientists, environmentalists and government officials met in Yokohama, Japan, to tackle these important issues. The resulting "Yokohama Declaration of Responsible Tuna Fishers" outlines a 12-point plan for achieving these goals (www.wpcouncil.org/iff/YokohamaDeclaration.pdf). Individuals and environmental groups concerned about protecting the marine ecosystem are encouraged to join the current move among responsible stakeholders to work cooperatively together.

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

Sylvia Spalding,Media & Education Specialist,Western Pacific Regional Fishery,Management Council,Telephone: (808) 522-5341,Email: [REDACTED-EMAIL],Website: www.wpcouncil.org

http://www.wpcouncil.org

http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/pir/pdf/s7_HI_LL_final_2005.pdf

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