The implementation of lighting technology with LED lights in fishing nets has become a crucial tool for the protection of marine fauna, especially for sea turtles in areas where human infrastructures coexist with fragile ecosystems.
In Peru, fishermen have adopted this method with positive results, achieving a 70% reduction in the incidental capture of sea turtles, mainly in the coastal areas of the North and Central Pacific.
“Before, we could find up to five turtles trapped in a single haul, now it’s barely one,” commented Ernesto Ramírez, a fisherman from Tambo de Mora, after integrating this innovation into his nighttime fishing activities as highlighted by the Mongabay portal.
How LED lights work in artisanal fishing
The LED lights, installed on the top line of the nets, generate a visual signal that deters turtles and other marine animals from entering the fishing area.
- Each 133-meter net includes 12 lights, which emit a green glow when they come into contact with water.
- These signals help avoid the capture of turtles, spinner dolphins, dark dolphins, and seabirds.
- The use of this technology does not interfere with the target fishing, maintaining the productivity of fishermen.
Results and challenges in sea turtle conservation
Thanks to the joint efforts of Acorema, WWF Peru, Ecoceánica, and ProDelphinus, the project has collected data from six locations, showing a 67% reduction in incidental capture.
However, there are still challenges:
- Increased training for fishermen in handling techniques for trapped turtles.
- Expansion of the use of LED lights in bottom nets, where the risk of mortality is higher.
- Monitoring of critically endangered species, such as the leatherback turtle and hawksbill turtle.
Through collaboration between scientists, fishermen, and NGOs, the goal is to establish this strategy as a standard of responsible fishing that benefits both the fishing industry and marine conservation.
Cover photo: Magnus Lundgren
