State Encourages Fishermen to Stop Using Harmful Fishing Gear

The state of California, United States is allocating $1.3 million of its budget to protect sea turtles and marine mammals against swordfish fishing gear – as it is lethal for the underwater population.

“We’re very excited to see an ocean that can be free of this dangerous gear,” says California campaign director of Oceana, a conservation group, Geoff Shester who has been working on the issue for 15 years. “It will be safer for whales and turtles and other animals that get caught in the gear.”

Through a voluntary buyback program, fishermen will be encouraged to switch from harmful drift grill nets to deep-set buoy gear, an instrument that prevents entanglements. As of 2024, California will no longer grant permits for this gear, and its use will most likely be outlawed. By changing the fishing technique, the death of dozens of whales and sea turtles, and hundreds of dolphins, seals and sea lions could be prevented over the next ten years.