Creating Cooperative Solutions to Reduce Bycatch

Recovering critically endangered populations of sea turtles, including East and West Pacific leatherbacks, requires eliminating mortality associated with fisheries interactions. Fortunately, most fishers are interested in avoiding interactions with leatherbacks (which can require extra effort and damage gear).

Upwell works collaboratively with fishers and resource managers to reduce sea turtle bycatch by highlight areas with high risk of fisheries interactions. Our habitat-based predictive models like South Pacific Turtle Watch are informed by fisheries observer datasets (contributed by governments, non-profit organizations and regional fisheries management organizations) and movement data from turtles outfitted with satellite tags.