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What will you do if Bree Varda swims to the fishing grounds where the swordfish longliners are? Is there a closed season for the fishing boats or do you just cross your fingers during the turtles' migration?
The Industrial Fishing industry accidently catches thousands of turtles. We use this satellite tracking information to try to figure out where there is overlap between commercial fishing and sea turtle habitat. Then, we try to implement conservation measures to modify the fishing industry or the gear they use to catch fish so that they won't also catch turtles. This is exactly why we do this research. Some areas can be closed to fishing during certain times of the year if we learn these areas are also important habitat for marine turtles. Unfortunately, this is a very difficult issue to resolve. Obviously, people need to fish and turtles need to be protected.