Ecuadorian artisanal fleets produce some of the highest rates of endangered species fisheries bycatch in the East Pacific. Ecuador accounts for approximately 40,000 turtles accidentally caught in the Southeast Pacific.

This innovation project will test the effectiveness of Bycatch Reduction Technologies (BRT) in the nearshore gillnet fishery using a three-pronged approach:

(1) through community workshops;

(2) a human-centered design; and

(3) scientific trials of two LED light devices called Centro and Pisces to reduce turtle bycatch.

This will be underpinned by a sustainable business model offering fishing crews additional access to export and the domestic market made available by the Ecuadorian Government’s Acción Tiburón program.  

IMPLEMENTATION STATUS: Progress summary as of November 2022 (PDF)