Share the Shore, Y’all

Overview

In 2023, TXSG launched the Share the Shore, Y’all program to reduce sea turtle injuries and fatalities by educating anglers and the public about responsible fishing practices. The program provided guidance on how to avoid harming sea turtles when fishing from land or boat, and what to do in case of accidental entanglement, hooking, or collision. It was developed in response to increased sea turtle sightings, strandings, and interactions with recreational fishing gear in Texas’ Coastal Bend. As part of the project, 381 individual anglers or groups of anglers were engaged at 63 locations to gather insights on their experiences with sea turtle encounters and their awareness of best practices. These responses shaped the creation of outreach materials, including two fact sheets tailored for land- and boat-based anglers that were printed on waterproof paper. Surveys of piers, beaches, and jetties also helped identify high-use sites to prioritize during outreach efforts. This project resulted in key recommendations for enhancing public engagement, managing monofilament recycling, managing incidental capture of sea turtles in recreational fisheries, and identifying future research needs.