Protect Sea Turtles: TEDs for Trawl Nets

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 Protect Sea Turtles : TEDs for Trawl Nets

Nicolas de Gramont

3/19/2021



Sea Turtles! Why do we love them? Why are they important?

https://www.seeturtles.org/why-are-sea-turtles-important

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle







Almost all species of Sea turtles are endangered...What is fishing bycatch, and how does it affect Sea Turtles?

Why are trawl nets so dangerous?

https://www.seeturtles.org/fisheries-bycatch





Solution!...What are TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices)?   https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/bycatch/fishing-gear-turtle-excluder-devices

 

How do TEDs work?

https://youtu.be/jyhumLE7B40



What are current regulations for TED usage on trawl nets?  

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/bycatch/turtle-excluder-device-regulations








Current regulations are not enough to protect sea turtles! We can do better, and we have to do better. 

I wrote a letter to NOAA, asking them to pursue TED research so we can eventually require TEDs on all commercial fishing vessels that use trawl nets.  These efforts have the potential to save countless lives...


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1khBMC6a53q-uqH1eMaQzdCRjL9Q0Sg0mWMpivjiUrzo/edit?usp=sharing


A new federal administration has recently been elected, one which has promised to listen to scientists and promote wildlife conservation.  Now is the best opportunity to communicate with them, and persuade them to enact meaningful legislation that will not only protect sea turtles, but all species that have been affected by human activity.  Now is the time to act!!


Donate to SEE turtles, a non-profit organization dedicated to sea turtle conservation efforts, using this link! https://www.seeturtles.org/donate


      





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