LED fishing nets could save turtles and dolphins

Research by Prodelphinus shows that using LED lights on fishing nets can reduce the bycatch of critically endangered species by over 70%. The study, conducted between 2015 and 2018, involved small-scale vessels from Peruvian ports. LEDs were placed every 30 feet on 864 gillnets, paired with unlit nets for comparison. Results showed a significant reduction in bycatch of green turtles, loggerhead turtles, olive ridley turtles, and small cetaceans like dolphins and porpoises. Additionally, LED lights reduced seabird bycatch by 85% without affecting the commercial fish catch.

What was the primary goal of using LED lights on fishing nets according to the study?

• To increase the commercial catch

• To reduce the bycatch of endangered species

• To attract more fish to the nets

• To improve the visibility of the nets for fishermen

During the experiment, how were the LED-equipped gillnets compared to the unlit ones?

• By changing the location of the nets

• By pairing each LED net with an unlit net

• By varying the depth of the nets

• By using different types of fish

Which species of turtle was most frequently caught in the unlit nets?

• Olive ridley turtles

• Loggerhead turtles

• Leatherback turtles

• Green turtles

What percentage of long beach common dolphins were captured among the small cetaceans?

• 26%

• 24%

• 50%

• 47%

What was the effect of LED lights on the commercial catch of fishermen?

• It made the catch unpredictable

• It had no effect

• It increased the catch

• It decreased the catch