The “Strategies, technologies, and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries (REBYC-III CLME+)” project hosted a stakeholder meeting on 2 May 2025 to discuss progress on gillnet illumination experimental trials, training and capacity building for northeast (NE) coast trolling (line) fishers as well as plan follow up activities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Bryan Wallace, Director Ecolibrium Inc., indicated that 10 fishing trips with experimental gillnet, including green LED lights were conducted to date. Only one turtle was caught in this net in comparison to observed reports of larger numbers of turtles being caught in other non-illuminated nets fishing in the area.

Progress on Megafauna surveys to quantify fisher interactions with and impact on sea turtles, whales, dolphins and other endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species was provided by Dr. La Daana Kanhai of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Department of Life Sciences and Dr.  Sharon Hutchinson of UWI’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension gave an update on fisher surveys being undertaken to better understand and quantify the importance of bycatch, issues affecting fisher livelihoods and other social and economic conditions affecting fishing communities. The team identified future activities to enhance work already being supported by REBYC-III.

Participants at the meeting included representatives from the UWI’s Departments of Life Sciences and Agricultural Economics and Extension, the REBYC-III Project Management Unit (PMU), Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), Environmental Management Authority (EMA), Trinidad and Tobago National Sea turtle Task Force, Ecolibrium Inc. among other stakeholders.