ETP species (Endangered, threatened, and protected) are rare, endangered, and protected species that are accidentally caught or caught in fishing nets during fishing activities on any scale of fisheries. Turtles, seabirds, sharks, and marine mammals are in danger. These ETP species are contained in international and national laws such as CITES, IUCN, and Indonesian government regulations.
How by-catch netted?
Seabirds get trapped or entangled while trying to eat the bait from the hook and then carried away into the water and sank together with the tool to catch the long line. Turtles have hard shells that tend to feed on bait in fishing hooks, caught and trapped. Turtles in the sea are also often entangled by buoys or rope branches, which can make them sink. Marine mammals can be entangled in buoys or branch ropes which leads to injury and death. If the ETP species is caught, it should be released back into the waters because if it is traded again, it causes the cycle of the food chain in the aquatic ecosystem to be damaged and cause the dominance of certain species.
How to reduce ETP Species by-catch?
The issue of by-catch is still one of the main problems in Indonesian fisheries. A fishery might also affect wildlife indirectly by changing migration routes or reducing food or safe habitats. Managing fishing impacts on these populations is critical if endangered animals are to survive and recover. The Indonesian government has made regulations on the handling of by-catch and mitigation of by-catch. This Fisheries Improvement Project especially on the principle of environmental aspects is focused on how fishery improvement project could support help fishermen and the government to manage the ETP species catch and maintain sustainable fisheries.
Sahabat Laut Lestari support and implement the importance of ETP species by-catch by doing data collection and doing research on how certain fisheries activities impact on ETP species catch in sore area or fisheries.
One Comment