Collaborative Fisheries Research Capacity-Building to Reduce Marine Turtle Bycatch in Fisheries Globally: A Growing Need and Opportunity among Fishing Industry and Sea Turtle Conservation NGOs

The capture of marine turtles (MT) in fisheries is a significant threat to MTs.   Collaborative Fisheries Research (CFR) has been found to both reduce MT bycatch and maintain the livelihoods of fishers.  In 2014 a survey of the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS) members assessed the level of experience and interest in CFR within the Sea Turtle community. ISTS is composed of sea turtle biologists, conservationists, educators and advocates dedicated to research and conservation of sea turtles, as well as national government agencies. We will present data (N=101) on the geographic scope of CFR work globally, types of fishing industry sectors and gear ISTS members have worked with, nature of those collaborations, and planned CFR activities. Overall, responses reflect global gaps, capacity, and a growing need and interest in working on fisheries and bycatch through CFR, e.g., 80% of respondents interested in CFR indicated that they planned to work on fisheries and bycatch reduction related issues; and 41% indicated their desire to develop partnerships and collaborations with industry and other scientist working on similar issues. We will discuss the findings, ramifications for CFR globally, and next steps currently underway and planed by the CFR capacity-building partners.