Marine Turtle Newsletter 58:26-27, © 1992
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Marine Turtle Newsletter 58:26-27, © 1992
While [our conservative estimate of 4,360 shrimp trawler related sea turtle mortalities annually under current TED regulations] remains unacceptably high in term of ensuring recovery of the species, the current TED regulations have resulted in a 67% reduction in annual turtle mortalities. This is a significant improvement over past conditions and should be viewed positively in terms of overall U. S. sea turtle conservation efforts. Compliance rates with TED regulations appear to be high, and annual shrimp landings have not changed despite alleged high shrimp loss rates associated with TED utilization.
On the basis of our analyses, we conclude that expansion of TED requirements to all areas at all times of the year would result in a total reduction in shrimp trawler related sea turtle mortalities of 97%. Given the fact that most mortality is preventable if TEDs are used and are functioning properly, there would appear to be no valid reason for not expanding TED requirements. Allegations of high shrimp loss rates and associated economic hardships have not been support by landings statistics or studies of shrimp loss rates with TEDs (Renaud et al. 1990, 1991).
Our analysis of foreign sea turtle capture and mortality by shrimp trawlers is admittedly crude. However, our purpose in providing these estimates was to illustrate the point that U. S. protective measures may not, in themselves, be sufficient to recover species of concern. If we assume that turtles protected in U. S. waters are ultimately impacted by shrimp trawlers in foreign waters, saving turtles in U. S. waters may simply result in higher sea turtle catch and mortality rates in foreign waters and do little to improve survival of the species. Using our gross estimates of sea turtle catch and mortality for the Wider Caribbean countries addressed in our analysis, we estimate 25,280 captures and 7,858 mortalities annually. These estimates are approximately double those in U. S. waters prior to implementation of TED regulations.
Given the extensive use of otter trawls in U. S. and foreign waters throughout the Wider Caribbean and given the known adverse effects of trawling gear on sea turtle populations, significant improvements in survival of turtles could be achieved by mandatory use of TEDs in all U. S. and foreign waters. However, without foreign cooperation in efforts to conserve sea turtles, U. S. efforts may not be sufficient to achieve recovery of these species. Therefore, based on our analyses, we recommend that U. S. TED regulations be expanded to require TEDs in all areas at all times, and that foreign nations within the Wider Caribbean be urged to adopt similar turtle conservation regulations.
Renaud, M., G. Gitschlag, E. Klima, A. Shah, D. Koi, and J. Nance. 1990. Evaluation of the Impacts of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on Shrimp Catch Rates in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, March 1988 through July 1989. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SEFC-254. U. S. Dept. Commerce.
Renaud, M., G. Gitschlag, E. Klima, A. Shah, D. Koi, and J. Nance. 1991. Evaluation of the Impacts of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on Shrimp Catch Rates in Coastal Waters of the United States Along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, September 1989 through August 1990. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SEFC-288. U. S. Dept. Commerce.
Source: excerpted from Henwood, T., W. Stuntz, and N. Thompson. 1992. Evaluation of U. S. Turtle Protective Measures under Existing TED Regulations, Including Estimates of Shrimp Trawler Related Turtle Mortality in the Wider Caribbean. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SEFSC-303. U. S. Department of Commerce.