New research from the University of Exeter, published in the journal Diversity and Distributions, reveals that thousands of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles are dying in waters off Cyprus, the Middle East and North Africa when they go in search of food. The researchers discovered an 11 percent mortality rate per year for turtles that are supposed to live long lives to produce enough offspring and continue the species' survival.
But fishing nets and equipment are cutting these long life spans short. Thousands of Mediterranean turtles are dying as the unintended victims of local, small-scale fishermen's nets as bycatch.
But there is a solution: turtle-friendly modifications to fishing gear.
Like project leader, Professor Brendan Godley, explains to the University of Exeter: [W]e now need to move into the water to secure the future of the species mitigating threats from fisheries and oil and gas related seismic activity. Encouragingly, we have been involved in some recent work elsewhere that has shown that the simple and inexpensive measure of putting LED lights on nets can reduce turtle bycatch significantly.
Cyprus is in a unique position to help the turtles. As an EU member, Cyprus counts on more political and social stability than the Middle East and North Africa, and it can make turtle conservation a real priority.
Sign and share this petition urging Cyprus' Department of Fisheries and Marine Research to continue the much-needed conservation efforts to protect Mediterranean loggerhead turtles from becoming bycatch victims. Simple modifications to fishing equipment, like LED lights, can help ensure the species' survival.
Photo Credit: MEDASSET
