Electronic monitoring reduces sea turtle bycatch in Gulf fisheries

The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group, in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Menhaden Fishery, has successfully completed the Menhaden Project. The initiative tested methods to monitor sea turtle interactions in purse seine nets. Three techniques were trialled – drones, human observers and electronic monitoring via stationary cameras. Ultimately, electronic monitoring proved most effective, covering 10–20% of annual fishing operations between 2022 and 2023. The project, part of post-Deepwater Horizon restoration efforts, highlights the critical role of industry collaboration in protecting marine species while maintaining sustainable fishing practices. (Eco Magazine)