PRESS RELEASE:  Friday 6th February 2004 (Origin: Ascension Island, UK, USA)

PRESS RELEASE:  Friday 6th February 2004 (Origin: Ascension Island, UK, USA)

ASCENSION ISLANDERS REPEL PIRATES STEALING FISHERIES RESOURCES:  REDUCING IMPACTS o­n NESTING MARINE TURTLES

Fishermen and other community members o­n the tiny Ascension Island, o­ne of the most important marine turtle nesting sites in the Atlantic, have this week been fighting back in a brave attempt to repel pirate high-seas fishermen, protecting both their fisheries and the giant green turtles, which swim 2,000 km from Brazil to lay their eggs.

At least two vessels, as yet unidentified, have moved into the coastal waters of Ascension Island (a UK Overseas Territory) illegally deploying mile upon mile of long-lines with baited hooks aimed at a lucrative tuna catch. They have been deploying gear as close as o­ne hundred meters from the shoreline. It is illegal to carry out such fishing within 200 nautical miles of the land unless licensed. Licensed fishing is o­nly allowed between the 12 and 200 nautical mile limit; these pirates are clearly operating illegally.

It is now the peak of the marine turtle nesting season with thousands of adult green turtles having converged o­n the island to mate and lay their eggs. Already at least 8 turtles have been released from entanglement in the hooks, lines and associated flotation buoys PHOTO AVAILABLE   <http://www.seaturtle.org/cgi-bin/imagelib/index.pl?photo=713>. Additionally, turtles are now coming up the beach to nest with hooks embedded in their flesh and local volunteers are patrolling the beaches to locate and assist affected animals.

Direct Action

Upon realizing the situation, despite having no coastguard or marine protection force, local fishermen, conservationists and other community members took to the sea to remove the illegal gear (PHOTO AVAILABLE  < http://www.seaturtle.org/cgi-bin/imagelib/index.pl?photo=712>) closest to shore. Tara George (Left of the photo), Conservation Officer for Ascension Island Government said:

"We could not believe it when we were informed by local fishermen that these vessels were actually fishing within a mile of the shore. A brief inspection of o­ne of the lines confirmed our worst fears. In just o­ne hundred meter stretch of the line there were three turtles entangled; o­ne of them appeared o­n the brink of exhaustion. We knew we had to take direct action."

Under the supervision of local Police and with the backup of a radio-linked network of lookouts from the Royal Air Force posted around the island, 5 small vessels manned by local fishermen and other community members took to the sea removing more than 5 miles of line and released turtles some of which had become severely entangled in long portions of lines and buoys. These ghostly ships have maintained radio silence and have evaded confirmed identification as yet. Although they have not deployed any more gear very close to land, they are still in the area.

Paul Davis of the South Atlantic Section, Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:

"Tara George (Ascension Island Conservation Officer) telephoned me about this illegal fishing activity. o­nce we have details of the ship's name, port of registry and photograph, we shall pursue the matter with the flag nation. We recognise that illegal fishing is a growing problem in the South Atlantic and are in discussion with other government departments and non-governmental organizations about how to tackle it."

Potential Impacts o­n Turtles and Sustainable Tourism

Marine turtle biologist, Dr. Annette Broderick, of the Marine Turtle Research Group (Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter in Cornwall), who is a funded by the UK Government to undertake conservation research o­n Ascension said:

"It is now approaching the peak of the nesting season o­n Ascension Island, with around a hundred turtles nesting per night. Between nests, female turtles spend periods of about two weeks resting o­n the sea bottom in water around 20m in depth, simply surfacing every hour to breathe. The hooks and lines removed were running right through this internesting habitat and it is not surprising that a number of turtles have become entangled. Turtles could drown or break free with hooks embedded and line cutting into their flesh."

The future?

Ascension Island has a burgeoning economy in which sport fishing and ecotourism are two areas which are being grown. Johnny Hobson, a member of Ascension Island Council, said:

"We are striving for a brighter, sustainable future o­n this beautiful island. Environmentally sensitive tourism is growing. We simply cannot stand around idly and allow these outside forces to come in and steal our resources. As evidenced by the events of the last week, the people of Ascension are prepared to act but we need the support of UK Government to deal with these pirates. We may be able to deal with them when they are up close but o­nce they are more than just a few miles offshore they are able to act with impunity."

For more information contact throughout the weekend:

On Ascension IslandTara George, Ascension Island Conservation OfficerE-Mail:  , Telephone No: + (247) 6359 or 6403

In UK: Brendan Godley or Annette Broderick, Marine Turtle Research Group, University of Exeter Tel: + 44 1872 865389, E-mail:   or

In USA:Michael Coyne SEATURTLE.ORG, Silver Spring, MD USA Tel: + 1 301-221-9952, E-mail:

Editor's notes:

1.      Ascension Island is a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic approximately half way between South America and Africa. It is the site of military bases for both the UK and USA.

2.      The Ascension Island Conservation Office is involved with all aspects of conservation o­n Ascension Island <www.ascensionconservation.org.ac >. Other than the marine turtle project it co-ordinates the Ascension Island Seabird Restoration Project in conjunction with RSPB and the Millenium Seedbanking Project in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Wakehurst Place).

3.      The Marine Turtle Research Group (MTRG) <http:/www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/> is based at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter in Cornwall. Its members carry out research and conservation projects regarding turtles in UK waters, Mediterranean and the UK Overseas Territories including Cayman Islands and Ascension Island. MTRG staff edit the international Marine Turtle Newsletter <http:/www.seaturtle.org/mtn/>. Funding for MTRG work o­n Ascension is provided by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Environment Fund for the Overseas Territories.

4.      Seaturtle.org is "Dedicated to providing o­nline resources and solutions in support of sea turtle conservation and research" and is incorporated in the State of Maryland and is registered as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization with the US Internal Revenue Service.

5.      The World Conservation Union (IUCN) recognizes seven species of marine turtle. The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest and is listed as critically endangered, as are the Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtles are listed as endangered and Australia's flatback turtle (Natator depressus) is listed as data deficient.   Dr. Brendan J. GodleyNERC Research FellowMarine Turtle Research Grouphttp://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ School of Biological SciencesUniversity of ExeterHatherly Laboratories Prince of Wales Road Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK  Tel: 01872 865 389 Fax: 01392 263700