Harnessing solar energy to reduce sea turtle bycatch

Authors
Senko, J.F., Wang, J., Burgher, K.M., Jenkins, L.D., Lue Sang, C., Bailly, M., Cuevas Amador, J.P., Cuevas Amador, F., Bowden, S., Osmond, M., and J. Blain
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Conservation Letters
Volume (Issue #)
18(e13151)
Contact information
Jesse F. Senko: jesse.senko@asu.edu
Summary

Solar powered LED lights flashing at a 10% duty cycle (5Hz, 20 min on, 180 mins off) attached to gillnets resulted in a 63% reduction in predicted mean sea turtle bycatch rates. This falls within the range found in previous studies that looked at static lights (40-90% reduction in bycatch), suggesting sea turtle bycatch can be reduced with less power consumption.  

Link
https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/conl.13151

Field Studies

Harnessing solar energy to reduce sea turtle bycatch

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Target catch
yellowtail amberjack (Seriola dorsalis)
Effect on bycatch species
63% reduction in predicted mean sea turtle bycatch rates
Effect on target catch
No significant difference in catch between illuminated and non-illuminated nets
Bycatch species
Sea Turtles
Reduction technique
Visual deterrents
Fishing Gear
Gillnets