CASE STUDY

Preventing turtle and shark bycatch in the West Indies (TOPASE Project)

Collaborators:

IPHC, CNRS, Universite de Strasbourg, Ifremer

Duration:

Nov 2020 –

Location

Martinique and Guadeloupe

Objective:

To provide a reliable solution that limits the accidental capture of turtles, sharks, and rays in reef fisheries.

GEAR TYPE:

Bottom-set Gill Net

TARGET SPECIES:

Queen Conch, Spiny Lobster, Mixed Reef Fish

BYCATCH SPECIES:

Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtles, Reef Sharks, Rays

Technology used:

Project Summary:

Bycatch can damage nets resulting in repair costs and lost time at sea. Additionally, accidental capture is threatening the conservation of turtles, sharks, and rays in Martinique and Guadeloupe. The TOPASE project is proposing innovative fishing gear to fishermen to reduce bycatch. One such gear is Pisces. This project will investigate the effect of Pisces LED lights on the bycatch of turtles, sharks, and rays.

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We work with fishermen to ensure our devices are tailored to their needs