Ghost gear is not the only fishing gear related threat to marine animals; bycatch is another big – and global – problem.
Bycatch happens when commercial fishers accidentally catch unwanted or unintended fish and marine creatures, and seabirds, in their fishing nets whilst fishing for a target fish species, size or sex. WWF estimates that 40% of fish caught worldwide is bycatch.
ORP has removed tons of ghost gear from areas near Karachi and the fishing village of Abdul Rehman Goth. But now we have a new problem: What to do with 4 tons of ghost nets? Thanks to some creative thinking and innovative collaborations, we are now putting ghost nets to good use in various and surprising fields.
When you are looking at a sea turtle, you are usually not just looking at a single organism. Sea turtles never swim alone. Many creatures live directly on or even inside a sea turtle. As for all animals, this so-called symbiotic relationship does not have to be negative for the turtle.
We had a very special arrival recently, an incredibly rare white sea turtle. Cloud is a green sea turtle with a genetic condition called Leucism. Leucism is a condition where animals have reduced pigmentation, but different from albinism, as albino animals have a complete loss of pigmentation.
The North-East monsoon season in Maldives is peak season for ghost nets drifting into to Maldives, and along with them, entangled marine life. The team at One & Only Reethi Rah recently removed a monster ghost net in North Male Atoll, estimated to weigh between 200 and 300 kg.
Hawksbill turtles are currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Prized for their beautiful shells, they have been hunted for thousands of years. Today they are at risk from threats such as bycatch, ghost fishing, coastal development and climate change among others.
Andy Torbet is an ex-Bomb Disposal Officer, Paratrooper and Army Diver turned professional underwater explorer, deep- and cave-diver, skydiver and wingsuit pilot, climber and TV Presenter. We are excited to welcome him as our new ambassador.
Olive Ridley Project’s second sea turtle research expedition to Haa Alif Atoll was another great success. Three volunteers joined the ORP team and expedition leader Nina Rothe for the month long adventure. Here is Nina’s update from the field.
Sea turtle mating is a rare and amazing sight to observe in the wild. Most sea turtles species are solitary creatures and only come together during mating season. Mating can actually be a dangerous activity for sea turtles! The male holds onto the female and she has to support the weight of both of them whilst at the same time regularly surface for air.
ORP’s First Sea Turtle Research Expedition – A Great Success Our first sea turtle research expedition in Haa Alif Atoll last November was a great success. The ORP team and volunteers surveyed 25 sites and recorded a total of 91 turtle sightings. In addition, we encountered sharks, dolphins, rays, and many tropical fish. Unfortunately, we also added 37 ghost gear … Read More
