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The Chelonia Association has worked to reduce by-catches of sea turtles and elasmobranchs in the Spanish Atlantic and the Strait of Gibraltar

Tests have been carried out with magnetic devices to repel sharks in longline in order to analyse the problem of bycatch. This is the first time that the effect of this device has been applied and analysed in real fishing conditions, favouring the implementation of future tests for the improvement of the device.

At the same time, work has been done to update the available information on by-catches of sea turtles and elasmobranchs, based on on-board research campaigns, surveys and interviews. Thanks to this information, they have been able to expand the contents of the Spanish Inventory of Marine Species and Habitats.

Finally, an awareness campaign has been carried out in fishing groups on methodological aspects and sustainable management of fisheries, through the publication of materials, website and organization of conferences in Andalusia and Galicia. One of the most successful training sessions: “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Marine Species and Habitats in Andalusia”, has been held at the Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences of the University of Cadiz, where speakers from the Regional Government of Andalusia, the University of Cadiz, FAMAR, the Oceanographic of Valencia, the Man and Territory Association and the Chelonia Association