Aggressive fishing kills millions of marine species in the Coral Triangle

Millions of sea turtles, sharks, birds and other endangered species are killed accidentally each year in the Coral Triangle, which includes the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and East Timor "," collateral damage "methods aggressive fish that do not distinguish between species, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Given the scale of this silent killing one of the richest marine ecosystems and fragile world, the WWF has launched a campaign to combat so-called accidental or indiscriminate fishing."His impact is huge. Especially in protected animals, such as sea turtles. The number of accidental deaths is enormous," Efe said Lida Pet-Soede, head of the Coral Triangle Programme of WWF.

The problem lies in the fishing techniques used, which, not being selective, catching many more species of those pursued in the region bounded by the Philippines, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.Some are protected animals, whose marketing is illegal, others are not and the remaining edible can be eaten if they are not economically profitable.

The vast majority of these catches, including sometimes there are also whales, dolphins and dugongs, are thrown back into the sea, but almost always already dead or dying."This kind of wasteful management have potentially damaging implications not only for biodiversity but also for food security of millions of people," said Keith Symington, a specialist in bycatch WWF.

The organization says this is one of the most pressing issues in marine conservation and resource management.

"The problem is global, but the Coral Triangle is a particularly sensitive ecosystem and it is time to take the measures already being implemented in other parts of the world, highlights Pet-Soede.

WWF and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia organized a seminar this week on the island of Bali to explain the problem to the big fishing companies and traditional fishermen and to propose sustainable alternatives.Several international experts have come to the meeting to explain what changes can be made to the fisheries systems to maintain catch levels without affecting endangered species.

Among the non-aggressive methods that promote the hook is circular or "C" over the "J".
Fishing efficiency

The technique reduces by 80% by-catch of sea turtles "by tuna longline fishing" Fishing without compromising efficiency, "says WWF.

Another possibility is a special nets to catch small crustaceans that allow larger animals, like turtles, escaping unscathed.

"This technique is not new. But now he has improved a lot and the networks are much lighter and easier to use," explains the program manager of the Coral Triangle World Wide Fund for Nature.

The meeting also aims to show a fisherman, a priori reluctant to make changes, these changes more expensive the product but will not harm their way of life, which verges on survival.

"Several European distributors have offered to cover the cost of replacing the fishing methods. It is essential the support of industry and the role of consumers," said Pet-Soede.