Hawaii Longline Fishery for Tuna does not jeopardize sea turtle existence

Information released by the Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP) about the 2005 Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery that deep-sets for tuna relies on alarmist claims, selective use of information and unsubstantiated statements in its continued campaign to close longline fisheries.

Here are just a few of the facts that STRP ignores:

-The 2005 BiOp concluded that the continued existence of all sea turtle species, including leatherbacks, is not jeopardized by the continued operation of the deep-set component of the Hawaii-based longline fishery.

-In 2003, there was only one observed leatherback turtle interaction with the Hawaii tuna deep-set longline fishery. In 2004, there were there. “Interaction” does not equate to “mortality.” All three leatherbacks in 2004 were released alive. Observers were placed on 25 percent of the Hawaii deep-set tuna longline trips. Overall, there has been more than a 75-percent reduction in takes of leatherback turtles by the Hawaii longline fleet.

-Olive ridley sea turtle populations that nest in the eastern Pacific, the stock that interacts with the Hawaii longline fishery, are increasing at a rate of 12 percent annually. There was only one olive ridley interaction with the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery in the first three quarters of 2005. However, highlighting data for one season or another is unscientific. Long-term data sets are necessary to quantity trends and impacts.

The Hawaii longline fishery has been a leader in international efforts to reduce fishery interactions with protected species. It was instrumental in the design and testing of techniques, such as side setting that have reduced longline interactions with seabirds by 90 to 99 percent. Side setting is now being promoted and exported throughout the Pacific. Following a year of successful implementation, the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery for tuna is now working with scientists and responsible environmental organizations throughout the Pacific to develop, test and export circle hook techniques to achieve similar results with turtle interactions.

The reality is that global consumer demand for pelagic resources exists, and longlining and purse-seining are the two fishing methods that are meeting the majority of that demand. The real challenge is not to shut down longline fishing but to unite the industry and others interested in our pelagic marine resources to find and implement effective solutions to avoid protected species interactions and to ensure healthy stocks of tuna and billfish. Successful mitigation measures must provide incentives for use while significantly reducing or eliminating interactions without making fishing operations difficult or unprofitable.

In July of this year, 250 fishermen and industry representatives, scientists, environmentalist and government officials met in Yokohama, Japan, to tackle these important issues. The resulting “Yokohama Declaration of Responsible Tuna Fishers” outlines a 12-point plan for achieving these goals (www.wpcouncil.org/iff/YokohamaDeclaration.pdf). STRP and others concerned about protecting the marine ecosystem are encouraged to join the current move among multiple stakeholders to work cooperatively together, rather than at odds with one another.

For more information, contact the Council at (808) 522-8220, (808) 522-8226 (fax), infor.wpcouncil@noaa.gov or www.wpcouncil.org. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the policy-making agency for fisheries management in federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore) of the U.S. Pacific Islands. (PR)