Manta, Ecuador – In March 2024, Dr Melissa Cronin, a marine scientist, embarked on a significant expedition aboard the purse seine vessel Andrea 1, a vessel that is part of the U.S Pacific Tuna Group, which is MSC certified. In affiliation with biologists and researchers from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), AZTI, and other collaborators, the mission aimed to test an innovative by-catch reduction device designed to protect vulnerable species like manta and devil rays.
The advanced device is engineered to swiftly release accidental captures, thereby minimizing harm to these vulnerable species. Although no manta or devil rays were encountered during this particular expedition, Dr Cronin mentioned to have obtained notable insights from the vessel's officers and crew. These comprehensions included detailed information about the fishing operations, such as the conditions and methods leading to manta ray captures. This knowledge is crucial for refining and improving future conservation strategies.
Furthermore, the team took the opportunity to enhance the conservation data for another vulnerable species. 5 whitetip sharks, incidentally caught during the expedition, were tagged and released. These tags would track their post-release movements, providing essential data to inform and improve conservation efforts for the whitetip sharks.
Dr Cronin's journey highlights the collaborative efforts of ISSF, scientists, and the fishing industry to mitigate by-catch and promote sustainable fishing practices. The findings from this expedition are expected to play a critical role in advancing effectiveness of by-catch reduction interventions.
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