Illuminar El Mar

The Leatherback Project and Mare Nostrum

Illuminar El Mar

Combatting Fisheries Bycatch of Endangered Marine Species in Ecuador using Illuminated Gillnet Technology

Jaramijó, Manabí

ECU

Nonprofit

Bycatch, the unintentional capture of non-target species, poses one of the most significant threats to marine biodiversity, driving population declines of endangered sea turtles, sharks, rays, dolphins, and whales in the East Pacific. Endangered species bycatch in Ecuadorian artisanal fisheries is having drastic negative effects on marine wildlife. 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 elasmobranch species, and 3 seabird species. 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. There is a need for effective and scalable solutions to reduce bycatch and support local livelihoods in artisanal fishing communities. By reducing bycatch and preserving marine biodiversity, we also support healthier ecosystems that store more carbon and contribute to climate change mitigation for a better planet for all.

Green LED lights exploit the differences in sensory capabilities between non-targeted species and the target catch to reduce bycatch of endangered species. We pilot tested this technology with 40 fishermen in Jaramijó last year and found a reduction in bycatch rates between 45-73% depending on the species. This reduction in bycatch is also beneficial to fisherman because it reduces unwanted holes in fishing gear made from large animals, increases effectivity of gear due to a lack of thrashing large animals and, reduces the time it takes fisheries to retrieve and sort gillnets following their soak. When surveyed, over 90% of the fisherman we worked with reported they perceived these benefits in our trials. As Ecuador hosts the highest recorded bycatch rates in the region, if LED lights are deployed in at least 25 percent of Ecuador’s artisanal gillnet fishery through outreach, community relationships, and market incentives, fisheries bycatch will decrease significantly in the East Pacific. This will allow for the recovery of endangered marine species, a resulting increase in these species’ ability to fulfill their ecosystem services, an increase in the health of coastal fisheries resources, and an enhancement of the livelihoods and lives of local fishing communities.

Our solution serves two groups: wildlife and people. Empowering fishermen is a vital strategy for reducing fisheries bycatch, as it equips them with the knowledge, tools, and incentives needed to adopt sustainable practices. As we aim to underpin our work with a sustainable business model that offers financial value to participating fishing crews through increased market access and prices, the project will support fishermen’s livelihoods. This is a key aspect, as artisanal fishers are often marginalized in their communities and rely day to day on their catches. Creating this partnership has the potential for capacity building and increased economic opportunity. This project also serves wildlife, in particular some of the most endangered marine species like the eastern pacific leatherback sea turtle. This species’ population has declined by over 90% of historic levels, mainly due to fisheries bycatch. By involving fishermen in the decision-making process and providing training on the use of bycatch reduction technologies, communities can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for marine conservation. When fishermen are seen as allies rather than adversaries in conservation, they are more likely to embrace solutions that balance economic livelihoods with ecological sustainability, ultimately reducing the accidental capture of non-target species.