Ban long-line commercial fishing in the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands, known throughout the world for their pristine beaches and diverse marine wildlife, is being threatened by a project which seeks to determine the viability of a commercial pelagic fishery in their waters. This exercise will open Turks and Caicos waters to long-line commercial fishing vessels. This indiscriminate method causes depleted fish stocks and excessive incidental catch, including sea turtles and billfish . Pelagic long-line commercial fishing is incompatible with the Turks and Caicos Islands' unique marine waters that provide healthy ecosystems for marine species and our "Beautiful by Nature" mantra. Good conservation and responsible use of our marine resources are the true sustainable methods; ours is more than a label, it is a way of life.
This petition calls on the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to ban pelagic long-line commercial fishing in the Turks and Caicos Islands' exclusive economic zone.
By signing my name, I call for the Turks and Caicos Government to ban pelagic long-line commercial fishing in Turks and Caicos waters.
(This petition is fully endorsed by The Billfish Foundation, the leading organization in billfish research and conservation. Visit www.billfish.org for more information.)
