Arikpo Eteng
The project, titled “Monitoring and Assessment of Sea Turtle Bycatch in Artisanal and Commercial Fisheries in the Gulf of Guinea, Niger Delta, Nigeria”, focuses on understanding and mitigating threats to endangered sea turtles along the Gulf of Guinea, with special emphasis on the Niger Delta coastal communities of Akasa, Bonny, Andoni, Eket, and Bakasi. These areas host critical nesting habitats for globally threatened species such as the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), but are under increasing pressure from artisanal and commercial fisheries, coastal erosion, and industrial activities.
Bycatch in artisanal and commercial fisheries is a significant driver of sea turtle population decline in the region. Unsustainable fishing practices, including the use of gillnets, trawl nets, and longlines, often result in incidental capture and mortality of sea turtles. Simultaneously, nesting beaches face severe threats from sand mining, pollution, and industrial encroachment, especially in Bakasi and Eket, which were once important turtle nesting and eco-tourism hotspots.
This project integrates bycatch assessment with nesting site monitoring to provide a holistic conservation approach. Through field surveys, interviews with fishers, and direct nesting beach assessments, it will generate data on species composition, bycatch frequency, spatial-temporal trends, and nesting success rates. It also aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bycatch reduction technologies (BRTs) and promote community-based conservation initiatives.
The project aims to assess sea turtle bycatch by quantifying its extent in artisanal and commercial fisheries, identifying high-risk gears and seasons, and documenting affected species. Simultaneously, it will monitor and protect nesting beaches in Akasa, Bonny, Andoni, Eket, and Bakasi by surveying nesting activity and evaluating threats such as erosion, sand mining, and human disturbance. To mitigate bycatch, the project will test and recommend suitable bycatch reduction devices and promote sustainable fishing gear modifications adapted to local fisheries. Community awareness and capacity building will be strengthened by engaging fishers and coastal communities in conservation education and community-based monitoring. Ultimately, the project will provide evidence-based recommendations to reduce sea turtle bycatch and safeguard critical nesting habitats, supporting national and regional marine biodiversity conservation goals.