Relationship of fishing gear and bait types with the incidental capture of sea turtles in the Reserva Natural Estero Padre Ramos, Chinandega, Nicaragua

Abstract

Fishing activities in Nicaragua, as well in the Reserva Natural Estero Padre Ramos, are important as a source of livelihood for families and these are part of the cultural identity of the communities. This research focused on identifying the types of fishing gear and baits used by local fishermen, as well as understanding their perception of aquatic wildlife conservation as a foundation for the development of future sea turtle conservation initiatives in the study area. To achieve this goal, surveys were conducted on the beach with 103 fishermen and during fishing tasks with 48 fishermen. The fishing gear most frequently mentioned by fishermen (because they use them) were longlines and gillnets. The most commonly used baits, according to respondents, were sardines, mackerel, shrimp, and squid, with shrimp and sardines being given greater weight in terms of importance. It is possible that both the fishing gear and the bait used are, for the most part, not compatible with sea turtle conservation. Therefore, actions are proposed to achieve this alignment and reduce the negative impact on aquatic fauna. The surveyed fishermen are aware of the importance of marine resource conservation and expressed a willingness to adopt new fishing practices and/or modify their current methods, which supports the implementation of future initiatives aimed at promoting the well-being of both the ecosystem and the families that depend on these resources.