These photos depict only a fraction of the horrible scenes that play out every day as marine wildlife is caught and killed as bycatch in the California Drift Gillnet fishery. These images were obtained by the Sea Turtle Restoration Project through the Freedom of Information Act from NOAA.
New Report Details Top 10 Reasons to End California’s Deadliest Catch – Swordfish
New federal emergency fishing regulations are forcing California’s drift gillnet fleet for swordfish and shark to stop fishing for the season if a single endangered sperm whale gets entangled in a net. All vessels that fish offshore will now be required to carry on-board observers at all times.
SAN FRANCISCO— The National Marine Fisheries Service this week declined to issue a required marine mammal take permit for California’s swordfish drift gillnet fishery in light of the recent entanglement of two sperm whales, but agreed to call a special meeting next week to discuss possible emergency measures to allow the fishery to continue operating legally while reducing interactions with these endangered whales.
Highest Level of Marine Life Bycatch in Ten Years: Conservationists Question Whether Methods for Protecting Endangered Species Are Working
The California drift gillnet fishery for swordfish and shark is the most dangerous fishery for whales and other marine mammals along the U.S. West Coast from California to Alaska. A new federal review of marine mammal bycatch in commercial fisheries found that the drift gillnet fleet is causing more harm to whales than ever
Dirty Fossil Fuel Facilities Threaten Endangered Sea Turtles and Dugong SAN FRANCISCO— Conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s nearly $3 billion in financing for a…
Multipart decision includes transition for oyster company, clarity for ranching activities, and fulfilling Congressional vision for wilderness WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today issued a decision that…
Under Court Order – National Marine Fisheries Service Finalizes Plan to Protect Endangered Marine Species Honolulu, Hawai‘i – After three rounds of litigation stretching over nearly a decade, the federal…