Modeling juvenile sea turtle bycatch risk in commercial and recreational fisheries

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105977
• Publication Date: 2023-01-13T18:28:58Z
• Authors: Nathan F. Putman; Paul M. Richards; Susan G. Dufault; Elizabeth Scott-D...; Kevin McCarthy; R. Taylor Beyea; Charles W. Caillouet; William D. Heyman; Erin E. Seney; Katherine L. Mans...; Benny J. Gallaway
• Keywords: Bycatch; Sea turtle; Commercial fishing

Understanding the drivers of fisheries bycatch is essential for limiting its impacts on vulnerable species. Here we present a model to estimate relative magnitude sea turtle in major coastal across southeastern US based spatiotemporal variation fishing effort and simulated distributions juvenile Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) green (Chelonia mydas) turtles recruiting from oceanic nearshore habitats. Over period modeled (1996-2017), recreational was estimated be greater than sum that occurred commercial have historically been considered high risks (e.g., those using trawls, gillnets, bottom longlines). Prioritizing engagement with anglers reduce could especially beneficial populations. Applying lessons learned efforts protect may help meet challenges arise large, diffuse sector.