Successful fisher-driven reduction of megafauna bycatch in a tuna gillnet fishery

Authors
Roberson, L.A., Razzaque, S.A., Elliott, B., Nawaz, R., Shiekh, A. and Read, A.J.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Research Square
Volume (Issue #)
(pre-print)
Contact information
l.roberson@uq.edu.au
Summary

The study examined individual and cumulative bycatch during the first five years of a fisher engagement program in the tuna drift gillnet fishery in Pakistan, where fishers co-developed a sub-surface net setting strategy while also receiving bycatch awareness and safe release training. Captain identity and year were the strongest predictors of sea turtle and dolphin bycatch rates.  

Field Studies

Successful fisher-driven reduction of megafauna bycatch in a tuna gillnet fishery

Study Type
Field study in the wild
Location
Karachi, Pakistan
Target catch
Tuna spp.
Effect on bycatch species
95% reduction in cumulative dolphin bycatch over four years; 90% reduction in cumulative sea turtle bycatch
Effect on target catch
Anecdotally, not reduced
Reduction technique
Fishing Gear