Evolution of small scale fisheries net gears selectivity to preserve marine turtles in martinique and guadeloupe, FWI.

The conservation plan for marine turtles in the FWI has been approved by the National Council for Nature Conservation in 2006. A major objective was to identify the main threats on marine turtles. Local fishing gears kill hundreds of turtles every year through by-catch. Bottom trammel nets and gillnets targeting fishes, queen conch and spiny lobsters are first concerned. Their number and use have increased in the past few years. It is believed that their impact on marine resources is not compatible with long term management. In this study, experimental fishing was conducted to compare species selectivity between new designed nets and the current gears used in the FWI. The productivity of both gill nets and trammel nets was compared. Parameters such as height and mesh size were studied. Changes in catches were also compared to determine the weight of each parameter. Three specific study areas were chosen according to targeted species and marine turtles presence. Our objective is to develop gears and techniques that would preserve marine resources and significantly reduce marine turtles by-catch in the long term. Finally we should select the most selective - modified or new - fishing gears with no or significant reduced impact on marine turtle population in the FWI