what we’re doing now

$Wildseas was happy to support the Beyin Turtle Project in Ghana for the 2011/2012 season through both web development services, marketing and print and supply of merchandising which will helped raise much needed funds for the project. There were 3 confirmed species of sea turtles that nested along the protected area of coastline this year, the Leatherback, the Green and the Olive Ridley and we believe that Hawksbills may nest in the region too but there were no confirmed sightings. A success story December 2011: Good news from Beyin - we engaged in constructive talks with local fishermen regarding the conservation of local sea turtle populations. Prior to the meeting  many turtles were harvested each year either while nesting or through capture at sea for local consumption along with their eggs. We put forward our views and made it clear to the fishermen that they were not the real threat to turtles but that the turtles, like the fishermen who now  catch only a fraction of what they historically caught, are both victims of the high seas industrial fleets and also the rampant illegal fisheries constantly taking place of the West African coast. The fishermen took onboard our comments and put forward their own views and explained clearly the day to day problems they faced in their work, all that they said was perfectly reasonable and the challenges they face are genuine. Subsequent to our meeting the fishermen have taken a pledge not to take any more turtles and to help us in our conservation efforts in the locality in return for us representing their concerns at national level. A win-win all round. Pictured below are the Beyin boat owners and some of the Wildseas team that made it happen. Another success story December 2012 - Ongoing: After a preliminary meeting with fishermen in Axim it came to our attention that there was a high rate of by-catch of sea turtles among the local fishing fleet. It was a big problem for which we needed to find a creative and long term solution. After further discussions with the fishermen be introduced a tagging and release program. Where practicable captured turtles would be brought ashore, tagged and subsequently re-released. Since it’s inception the program has now released over 450 adult turtles. Scientists estimate that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings survives to become an adult so every adult saved is essential to ensuring there will be future generations of sea turtles in Ghana.$

Although sea turtle conservation is our primary focus we are very aware of the threats shark finning poses to shark populations, not just around Ghana but throughout the worlds oceans. As with many fishing communities the lure of high profits from shark fins is a big cause of declining shark populations as fishermen target sharks only for their fins.

If there is space on the fishing boat the whole shark is landed however if there is not enough space the fins are cut off and the carcass discarded overboard, often still alive.

Wildseas will be conducting investigations into the supply chain of shark fins to determine exactly who is profiting from the shark fin trade. To date local artisinal fishermen have simply stated that ‘men from the city’ are coming to buy the fins hence the need for further investigation.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fisheries pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of local artisinal fishermen and their families. Known locally as ‘China China’ boats these illegal fisheries fly flags of convenience and appear to operate with impunity. Working with artisinal motor boat fishermen, for 2015 - 2016 season

Wildseas will be monitoring and documenting any illegal fishing activity that these fishermen come across in the course of their normal work. Documentary evidence including photographs and precise GPS locations will be catalogued and presented to the relevant authorities after the initial investigation to effect policy change and encourage stricter enforcement of existing legislation to combat illegal fisheries.