Living in harmony with nature is not just a clarion call but Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)’s way of life. In 2023, the MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund awarded the Association Réunionnaise Interprofessionnelle de La Pêche et de l’Aquaculture (ARIPA) funding to support the Réunion Island swordfish longline fishery (certified July 2022) La Réunion, Indian Ocean, in their efforts to reduce incidental turtle bycatch.
Many different species of turtles have been in the waters around Réunion Island for 230 million years, including endangered loggerhead turtles.
Fishery stakeholders recognise the importance of protecting the turtles. As a result, fishermen, scientists and turtle experts work together, through the Save Turtle Run project, to limit bycatch and guarantee the survival of captured turtles until they are released back into their natural environment.
Interventions include:
- Training for fishermen to identify and handle accidentally caught turtles.
- Specialised rescue kits such as a prototype net/spinner designed to carefully remove caught turtles from the water, without pulling on lines or hooks.
Data on areas such as frequency, species and GPS position is collected through voluntary declarations by fishermen. This information enhances the understanding of turtles’ migratory behaviour, making it possible to model their presence in fishing areas and to make management decisions based on scientific data.
To date, 80% of injured turtles survive thanks to care provided by Kélonia Care Centre, a local sea turtle rescue facility, proving that sustainable fishing and the protection of marine biodiversity can be reconciled.
Find out more about MSC’s initiative >> Reducing turtle bycatch in the Réunion coastal longline swordfish fishery 2023 | Marine Stewardship Council
