Pirates Seeking Tuna Entangle Ascension Island Turtles

GEORGETOWN, Ascension Island, February 9, 2004 (ENS) - On tiny Ascension Island it is the peak of the green turtle nesting season with some 100 turtles of this globally endangered species coming to the beaches to nest each night. But is not peaceful on the beaches of the second largest green turtle nesting colony in the Atlantic. In the past week many have been found entangled in fishing line and flotation gear with hooks through their bodies.

At least two pirate fishing vessels, as yet unidentified, have moved into the coastal waters of Ascension Island, and they are illegally deploying miles of long lines with baited hooks as close as 100 meters from shore in an attempt to catch tuna.

Fishermen and community volunteers have been engaged in the rescue of these giant turtles, which have travelled 2,000 kilometers from Brazil to nest on the beaches of Ascension Island. At least 10 turtles have been freed from entangling lines and hooks.

Green turtle is rescued on Ascension Island after entanglement in pirate fishing. (Photo courtesy seaturtle.org)

Ascension Island is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic about half way between South America and Africa. It is the site of strategic military bases for both the UK and the United States.

Tara George, conservation officer for the Ascension Island government said, “We could not believe it when we were informed by local fishermen that these vessels were actually fishing within a mile of the shore. A brief inspection of one of the lines confirmed our worst fears. In just 100 meter stretch of the line there were three turtles entangled; one of them appeared on the brink of exhaustion. We knew we had to take direct action.”

George contacted the Overseas Territorites Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the threat to green turtles nesting on Ascension Island.

Paul Davis of the South Atlantic Section promised to take up the issue with the flag nation, when that nation is identified. “Once we have details of the ship's name, port of registry and photograph, we shall pursue the matter with the flag nation."

Members of the Ascension Island community removed over five miles of longline gear from the internesting habitat of green turtles. (Photo courtesy seaturtle.org)

The ships have maintained radio silence and have evaded identification as yet. Although they have not deployed any more gear very close to land, they are still in the area, obervers say.

Marine turtle biologist, Dr. Annette Broderick of the Marine Turtle Research Group of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter is funded by the UK government to undertake conservation research on Ascension Island.

"Between nests," Broderick explains, " female turtles spend periods of about two weeks resting on the sea bottom in water around 20 meters in depth, simply surfacing every hour to breathe. The hooks and lines removed were running right through this inter-nesting habitat and it is not surprising that a number of turtles have become entangled. Turtles could drown or break free with hooks embedded and line cutting into their flesh."

Johnny Hobson, a member of the Ascension Island Council, said, “We are striving for a brighter, sustainable future on this beautiful island. Environmentally sensitive tourism is growing. We simply cannot stand around idly and allow these outside forces to come in and steal our resources. "

As evidenced by the events of the last week, said Hobson, the people of Ascension "are prepared to act but we need the support of UK government to deal with these pirates."

Speaking for the British government Davis said, "We recognize that illegal fishing is a growing problem in the South Atlantic and are in discussion with other government departments and nongovernmental organizations about how to tackle it.”