ONE LIGHT-UP NET AT A TIME BRIGHT IDEAS SAVE SEA TURTLES
Sea turtles face numerous dangers in our oceans, from climate change to habitat loss, but one of the most pressing threats is getting caught in fishing gear. In places like coastal North Carolina, conservation laws made to protect these animals have hit local fishermen hard. “It shut down the gillnetting here and there was a lot of people dependent on that,” Eddie Willis, a fourth- generation fisherman, told Arizona State University. “It put a lot of people out of work. A lot of people.” Finding ways to protect wildlife while also supporting fishermen hasn’t been easy. That’s where Jesse Senko and his team at Arizona State University’s Senko Lab come in. They work directly with local fishers to make fishing gear safer for sea turtles, sharks, and other at-risk species. “From the very beginning, we ask: How can we actually improve the way their fishing goes? It’s not just about saving sea turtles. It’s about how we can improve their fishing operations and preserve their livelihoods.” Innovation often comes from unexpected places, and this one came from a simple idea in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. Local fishermen Juan Pablo Cuevas Amador and Felipe Cuevas Amador suggested lighting up the nets. The results were astonishing. Illuminating the nets with green LED solar- powered lights reduced sea turtle entanglement by 63% and even helped fishers save time retrieving and disentangling their gear without affecting
their harvest. “The results were pretty exciting,” Senko
said. “It’s a win-win in the sense that you’re getting a light that lasts
significantly longer, and it also seems to reduce bycatch just as effectively as lights that require replaceable batteries.”
Even with this success, the team isn’t stopping. Senko hopes to make the nets affordable for small boats and improve the design to reduce turtle entanglements even more. “A 63% reduction in sea turtle bycatch is a magnificent starting point. However, there's no reason why that can't be improved, right? My goal is: How do we get that 63% reduction to a 95% reduction?” With collaboration, creativity, and determination, scientists and fishers alike are proving that protecting endangered species and sustaining communities can go hand in hand. The oceans may face challenges, but innovative solutions like these give hope for a brighter, safer future for sea turtles.
SUDOKU
EATS WITH ELLIE
JALAPEÑO POPPER SOUP
INGREDIENTS •
4 bacon slices, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 5–6 large jalapeño peppers, minced with stems and seeds removed
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1/2 tsp cumin 1 1/2 tsp salt
•
1 lb gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
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1/2 small onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz full-fat cream cheese
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese
2 tbsp lemon juice
DIRECTIONS 1. Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, then remove to a plate. 2. Add jalapeños and onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Add garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute. 4. Stir in chicken broth, cumin, salt, and potatoes, and simmer for 20 minutes. 5. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and add 1 ladle of hot broth before mixing. 6. Add cream cheese mixture to the pot and stir. 7. Remove from heat and add cheddar cheese and lemon juice, stirring until the cheese melts. 8. Pour into serving bowls, topping with bacon and more shredded cheese.
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