Fishing Gear Removal Study Reveals Persistent Threats to Atlantic Leatherbacks

A comprehensive analysis of fishing gear removal from sea turtles caught in Atlantic pelagic longline fisheries reveals concerning patterns for leatherback survival. Our friend and colleague Lesley Stokes examined nearly a decade of bycatch data from 2014 to 2023, finding that at least 19% of all leatherbacks were released with half a carapace length or more of fishing line still attached—gear that can cause fatal entanglement or internal injuries if ingested.

The study analyzed thousands of turtle interactions across different Atlantic regions, with Gulf of Mexico waters showing the most alarming results: 45% of leatherbacks there were released with significant gear remaining. In contrast, Northeast Distant waters had higher success rates for complete gear removal. Researchers found that entangled leatherbacks had better outcomes than those with hooks embedded externally, likely because entanglement cases allow for more methodical line cutting without requiring hook removal.

These findings have direct implications for our Martin County population, as our nesting females and their offspring face these same longline fisheries during post-nesting migrations to foraging grounds on the southeastern U.S. continental shelf and beyond. With our 25+ year dataset tracking roughly 100 females annually—each representing a critical reproductive unit given leatherbacks' 88.9% annual survival rate and 2.7-year remigration interval—every interaction with fishing gear matters. The study's geographic scope encompasses the very waters our tracked females traverse after completing their nesting cycles along our 35-kilometer study area.

The research will inform enhanced training programs for fishing crews, though continued monitoring remains essential to assess whether gear removal practices improve over time.

Stokes, L.W., Rider, M., Stacy, B., Cushner, S., Klemm, D., & Howell, L. (2026). Evaluating Patterns in Fishing Gear Removal From Incidentally Captured Leatherback and Loggerhead Sea Turtles in the US Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fishery. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70368