A programme to reduce marine turtle and other bycatch among Viet Nam’s longline tuna fleet has yielded positive results, providing new optimism for the improved responsibility and future sustainability of these fisheries.
With ongoing support from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Viet Nam has been implementing a bycatch mitigation programme targeting longline fisheries in an effort to assess sea turtle conservation and strategically targeting and planning bycatch reduction methods.
The overall project goal is the reduction of bycatch mortality of marine turtles and other species in longline fisheries in Viet Nam through improvements in fishing equipment and techniques.
After preparations including completion of a sea turtle hotspots map, community awareness and partnership building with stakeholders and government managers, three provinces where Viet Nam’s longline tuna fleets are predominantly based, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh were chosen for a small pilot observation programme with three trips conducted from December 2008-January 2009.
In 2009, a larger scale programme was implemented based on the new information and heightened stakeholder awareness and involvement. This second phase was aimed at providing a comprehensive foundation for the use of circular hook trials and onboard observation programmes implemented by the Vietnamese fishing fleet and provincial authorities.
The Marine Turtle bycatch and Longline Observer Programme, sponsored by WWF Viet Nam, the NOAA and Culimer BV Company, aims to more effectively monitor longline tuna fishing and the bycatch of turtles, sharks and other fish species, and to test the effectiveness of new circular hook technology at reducing marine turtle bycatch.
The programme is being implemented under the Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
"We are delighted that the recent training and deployment of ten onboard observers has been widely successful", noted Nguyen Dieu Thuy of WWF Viet Nam.
After receiving training on observation programme protocol, bycatch species identification and data recording, the observers were able to effectively collect high-quality data.
"Moreover, this initial programme has led to new support and enthusiasm among fishermen and government managers to develop a comprehensive and systematic observation programme," added Thuy.
The pilot programme also included the first-ever trial of circular hooks in Viet Nam – a type of hook design that can help reduce the bycatch of marine turtles by as much as 80 per cent compared to traditional J-hooks.
Many fishermen commented that the quality of the stainless steel circle hooks was very good, and that they hold bait better than J-hooks.
One fisherman who converted to using 62 per cent circular hooks was particularly happy with his results, saying that he caught more, and bigger tuna. Upon completion of the trial, the fisherman requested more circular hooks and agreed to convert to 100 per cent circular hook usage in the next scheduled trial.
Fishermen were also happy about their experience with de-hookers and line-cutters, tools used to help release caught marine turtles. According to the observers’ reports, all caught marine turtles were released alive and sent back in to the sea, thanks to the newly introduced equipment.
"The fact that some fishermen are now willing to use 100 per cent circular hooks is extremely significant," said Martin Brugman, director of the seafood company Culimer BV, one of the project partners.
"The first circular hook trial has created a basis of information about circular hook catches in the Pacific Ocean. We now aim to increase the percentage of circular hooks in future trials, including trials directly supported by Culimer as part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate more sustainable longline fishing in Viet Nam whilst improving product quality to the highest possible level."
Following these positive results, the project partners are now planning to expand the observation programme and circular hook trials in the 2010 fishing season, with an increased number of Vietnamese managers and scientists with MARD and Nha Trang Fisheries University.
