30/09/2026
Bycatch is still one of the biggest threats facing marine turtles today.
Each year, countless turtles find themselves unintentionally caught in fishing nets, longlines, and various fishing gear, often leading to drowning, severe injuries, or even death.
In The Gambia, it's crucial that we protect marine turtles while also safeguarding the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. At CETAG, we firmly believe that practical, community-driven conservation backed by awareness raising, advocacy, monitoring, and collaboration with fishing communities can truly make a difference.
Today, we saw another shining example of our approach in action. A marine turtle that was accidentally caught as bycatch was brought to the Head-Start Team at the CETAG Turtle Village for rehabilitation and care. This isnโt just a rescue, itโs a clear sign that our advocacy and engagement with fishing communities are paying off. We are especially thrilled to see more fishermen working alongside CETAG by reporting, rescuing, and handing over turtles that they accidentally capture. Our strategy focuses on cooperation instead of confrontation, showing that conservation and sustainable fishing can go hand in hand.
To effectively reduce marine turtle bycatch, we need to keep pushing for stronger fisheries governance, responsible fishing practices, effective monitoring, fisher awareness, timely reporting, and collaboration among fishing communities, government bodies, conservation organizations, and researchers. Protecting marine turtles isnโt just about saving a species; itโs about ensuring the health of our oceans and the future of our coastal communities. Every turtle we rescue is a life saved, and every fisherman who steps up to help becomes a partner in conservation. Together, we can truly make a difference.
CETAG Conservation through Community Action.
