Essay on T.E.D.s
Turtle Excluder Devices
Turtle excluder devices are perhaps one of the most innovative devices that have been created with regards to the safety of marine animals. Turtle excluders, also known as a T.E.D. are simplistic yet efficient, result in no loss of the shellfish, and help preserve an already greatly endangered marine reptile.
The first thing to consider is simplicity. A turtle excluder device is a simple grate of spaced bars that do not allow turtles and other large marine animals to pass through. Shrimp can pass through quite easily, but turtles that are trapped cannot, and they do not end up in the net - they are ejected. Turtles are not fast swimmers, and as such they cannot avoid the trawl nets. This is a simple, efficient, and cost-effective way to keep the turtles from entering the net.
The second thing to consider is that this method does not result in the loss of shellfish. So, it does not negatively affect the fisher. This would make the law of having them in the nets much easier to enforce, as the fishermen cannot say in defense that their nets are being deprived from shellfish and profit.
The third thing to consider is that a T.E.D. are made to protect - and do protect - endangered animals that are essential to the ecosystem. With a T.E.D. installed on every net, the turtle population goes up, helping their species. And because of new modifications in the light of recent study, it also helps preserve the greatly endangered leatherback turtle, along with several species of large shark.
As you can see, the turtle species would benefit greatly from the installation and regulation of a T.E.D. on every fisher’s net, along with making a T.E.D. mandatory in the production of these nets. This simple method can help save endangered sea animals that are tossed aside as excess trash.
Turtle excluder devices are perhaps one of the most innovative devices that have been created with regards to the safety of marine animals. Turtle excluders, also known as a T.E.D. are simplistic yet efficient, result in no loss of the shellfish, and help preserve an already greatly endangered marine reptile.
The first thing to consider is simplicity. A turtle excluder device is a simple grate of spaced bars that do not allow turtles and other large marine animals to pass through. Shrimp can pass through quite easily, but turtles that are trapped cannot, and they do not end up in the net - they are ejected. Turtles are not fast swimmers, and as such they cannot avoid the trawl nets. This is a simple, efficient, and cost-effective way to keep the turtles from entering the net.
The second thing to consider is that this method does not result in the loss of shellfish. So, it does not negatively affect the fisher. This would make the law of having them in the nets much easier to enforce, as the fishermen cannot say in defense that their nets are being deprived from shellfish and profit.
The third thing to consider is that a T.E.D. are made to protect - and do protect - endangered animals that are essential to the ecosystem. With a T.E.D. installed on every net, the turtle population goes up, helping their species. And because of new modifications in the light of recent study, it also helps preserve the greatly endangered leatherback turtle, along with several species of large shark.
As you can see, the turtle species would benefit greatly from the installation and regulation of a T.E.D. on every fisher’s net, along with making a T.E.D. mandatory in the production of these nets. This simple method can help save endangered sea animals that are tossed aside as excess trash.