How Charter Fishing Boats Protect Sea Turtle Bycatch
Updated: Mar 17
Charter fishing boats in Destin, Florida, operate under strict regulations to protect sea turtles that may be accidentally caught during fishing trips. These regulations are in place to ensure that sea turtles are released safely and unharmed back into their natural habitat. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the regulations charter fishing boats in Destin, Florida, have to follow to protect sea turtles caught by accident.
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
One of the primary regulations in place to protect sea turtles is the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on commercial fishing gear. These devices are designed to allow turtles to escape from nets and traps without getting caught, reducing the risk of accidental capture and entanglement. All charter fishing boats in Destin are required to use TEDs on their fishing gear.
Fishing Line Awareness
Charter fishing boats are required to be aware of their fishing lines at all times, especially when fishing in areas where sea turtles are known to inhabit. If a sea turtle is accidentally caught on the fishing line, it's important to handle the situation with care and release the turtle as quickly and safely as possible.
Time Limits
To further protect sea turtles, there are time limits in place for how long a sea turtle can be out of the water. If a sea turtle is accidentally caught during fishing, it must be released back into the water as quickly as possible, within a maximum of two hours from the time it was first brought onboard the boat.
Reporting Incidents
Charter fishing boats are also required to report any incidents involving sea turtle captures to the appropriate authorities. This information helps researchers to understand the impact of fishing on sea turtle populations and to develop strategies to reduce accidental captures in the future.
Conclusion
Charter fishing boats in Destin, Florida, operate under strict regulations to protect sea turtles that may be accidentally caught during fishing trips. These regulations include the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), fishing line awareness, time limits for handling sea turtles, and reporting incidents to the appropriate authorities. It's important for charter fishing boats to follow these regulations to ensure that sea turtles are released safely and unharmed back into their natural habitat. With these regulations in place, we can work to protect sea turtles and preserve their populations for future generations.
