Latest Research Discovers that Freshwater Turtles are in Grave Danger Due to the Effects of Fishing
You may not think much of a peaceful afternoon on the lake catching Blue-gill, but did you know that in a 2014 survey, 33% of the turtles had ingested fishhooks, with an 11% fatality rate? The reality is that commercial fishing is highly detrimental to freshwater turtle populations, and until recently, very few in-depth studies had been performed on this ecological danger. David Steen, an assistant research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University Museum, and Orin J. Robinson Jr., a postdoctoral researcher with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University, compiled data from multiple sources regarding the fatality rate of turtles from fishing practices. Their research results were published in the online March 15 “Journal of Conservation Biology”. They hope that landowners will implement fishing regulations on their land to help protect our native turtles which are rapidly disappearing.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
AU: Encouraging status report on Pseudemydura umbrina
Mexico: Stranded sea turtle discovered by authorities
Germany: Students help raise funds for turtles
USA: Unexplained deceased sea turtle
Ecology
USA: Restaurants implementing recycling measures to protect sea turtles
Education
USA: Preparations begin for nesting season precautions
USA: Resort staff trained in sea turtle protection measures
Miscellany
USA: Legal snapper harvesting exists in Indiana
Who’s Who…
Ray Ashton founded the Ashton Biodiversity Research & Preservation Institute, Inc. in order to conserve our ecosystems. He also is the founder of the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative.
Question or Concerns? Want to submit an article to get posted? Email us at [email protected].
Photo from Steve Patterson.
