Incidental capture of leatherback sea turtles in fixed fishing gear off Atlantic Canada

Authors
Hamelin, K.M., James, M.C., Ledwell, W., Huntington, J. and Martin, K
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Volume (Issue #)
27(3)
Page #s
631-642
Contact information
Michael James, Population Ecology Division,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth,
Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada.
Email: mike.james@dfo‐mpo.gc.ca
Summary

This study assessed the interaction of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) with fixed-gear fisheries in high-latitude seasonal foraging habitat (Atlantic Canada), using sightings data from 1998-2014. Most reports came from coastal Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, with reports peaking in the mid-to-late 2000s. The majority of reported entanglements came during the summer months (July and August), and were with pot gear and trap nets.